“Dune”

Just another science fiction movie, or something more?

By: Isabella Spitznagle

As a devoted book nerd, I rarely watch movies based on books because I’m always left with disappointment. However, when I heard that “Dune” was being remade with director Denis Villeneuve (“Arrival,” “Sicario,” and “Blade Runner 2049”) and music by Hans Zimmer (“Interstellar,” “The Lion King,” and “Pirates of the Caribbean”), I got my hopes up. Things only got better when they announced that acclaimed actors and heartthrobs Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya would be starring in it. 

When my friends ask me about “Dune,” I always say that this isn’t just another science fiction story. Frank Herbert blends together space politics, religion, personal relationships, and environmentalism. It was the precursor to “Star Wars” and the inspiration behind the trilogy. Not sold yet? He mapped out the ecology of the planet on which “Dune” is centered. Herbert’s world is gingerly crafted, paralleling timeless issues with ruthless yet human characters. I knew that if the producers could pull off this story, it might be one of the best films to hit the big screen. 

When I finally sat down in the theater on opening weekend, “Dune” blew away my expectations. Between the complex storytelling, unique set and costume design, excellent music score, and beautiful cinematography, “Dune” is easily one of the best science fiction movies in the last few years. I always encourage people to read the book first, but in the case of “Dune,” it’s not needed. The movie is so well constructed that it retains the essence of what makes the book amazing: the deep yet devastating relationships between the main character, Paul, and his parents; the worldbuilding of the costumes, the set design, and the dialogue; and, best of all, the complex action-packed plot, twisted with the tricky elements of religion and politics.

Despite the great things about this movie, there are a few things to keep in mind when watching. It’s not the easiest movie to follow. Viewers can get tangled in the sheer number of characters, new terms, and jumps in the story. It is also a very long movie, and having a short attention span myself, towards the end of the 2 and a half hours, I was checking my watch a bit too much.

Regardless of these weaker points, I can’t recommend this movie enough. I never thought I’d see the day when I’d find a movie that could rival the book. All that I can say is you’d better not watch it on HBO—it deserves the biggest screen that you can find.