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My movie review of Dune by Director Denis Villeneuve:

There are no spoilers in this review, so it is safe to read if you want to see it.

Dune (2021) is a very well made serious drama closely based on the book. It is not a light-hearted, entertaining western in space with some comedy mixed in as was the original Star Wars, or many of the Star Trek films, so if you are expecting that you will be disappointed. If you liked the later Star Wars after the original trilogy, or serious dramas, you will like Dune. It is a very well made film. But there is no comedy at all, and it is long at 2 hours 35 minutes, but honestly didn’t seem longer than a 2 hour movie. As a serious drama it moves slowly at times, as is necessary to develop the story as written in the book, but there are quite a few action sequence to keep it from dragging and a few battle scenes as well.

The acting is good although it seemed like the young duke played by Timothée Chalamet was trying to imitate Keanu Reeves in The Matrix at times, and a few actors tried to be more of a bad-ass then they could pull off (Jason Momoa and Josh Brolin excepted), but generally all around good acting. I was happy to see that there were no in-your-face attempts at political correctness like so many modern films force into the story to it’s detriment. The special effects are very good, lighting and camera were well done, interesting sets, good editing, and it is a much better film in every regard as compared to the 1984 David Lynch version. The soundtrack and sound design are very powerful and exceptionally well done, but not overpowering to the point you can’t hear the actors.

Something else this version did much better than the 1984 version of Dune, was to explain the different political factions better, the technology better, and the people and their motivations a little better in a way that wasn’t expository or obvious. In other words, it’s a bit easier to follow if you haven’t read the book. Kudos to the screenwriters.

I give it a B+ just because I like to laugh once in a while and feel good leaving the theater, and this film didn’t have that. Although it won’t leave you feeling bad either, it is just the first part of what I suspect will be a trilogy (or franchise), so it’s like watching the first Lord of the Rings, the story is just beginning, setting up for the later epic conclusion. If you like a serious drama like Game of Thrones (without the humor and nudity), you will like this film. I would recommend everyone see it in the theater. Not only is the cinematography much more impressive on the big screen, but the soundtrack should be experienced in the theater as well. Although I don’t think it is good enough to want to see a second time, I will definitely go see Part 2 in the theater when it is released in a year or two (currently in pre-production). So find a theater with comfy seats, grab some popcorn, and settle in for the first part of what may be an epic trilogy!