When it had been announced that Warner Bros were going to remake sci-fi epic 'Dune'- based on the first book by Frank Herbert- there was a lot of anticipation for it. After all, the 1984 version hadn't exactly been very well received when it had originally came out although it has gotten a cult status in recent years and not just because of the remake announcement either.
If I were to compare 'Dune' to anything, it would be a combination of 'Star Wars' and 'A Game of Thrones'. Quite possibly moving towards 'Star Wars' more than 'A Game of Thrones' because of the sci-fi element.
I was curious to see this film myself but as it was based on a book, I decided to read the book first. Since it was a digital book instead of a physical book it took me longer than normal to read it. Or at least the first part of it since that's what the 2021 film is based on.
The story starts with a woman's voice talking about the history of Arrakis, a desert planet, in the far distant future. For many years, Arrakis has been ruled by the cruel Harkonnens; a family who've grown rich due to harvesting the planet's spice. The woman wonders who the next family will be to rule Arrakis as the Harkonnens are planning on moving out.
Meanwhile on the planet Caladan, Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) is eating breakfast with his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson). As part of the Bene Gesserit order it is up to Lady Jessica to teach her son Paul how to use the special power of her order. She lets him practice by getting him to compel her to give him a glass of water. Paul succeeds.
It is then that Paul's father Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Issac) and soldier Gurney Halleck (Josh Brolin) and mentat Thufir Hawat (Stephen McKinley Henderson) receive an imperial envoy. The envoy formally awards House Atreides the planet Arrakis.
However, Duke Leto is hesitant; he senses that the passing of Arrakis to him is a trap of some sort. Since the offer is from the Emperor himself the Duke cannot refuse the offer and ends up accepting it anyway. When Paul hears of this, he asks his friend Duncan Idaho (Jason Momoa) to take him with him before the rest of Paul's family arrive so that he could check out Arrakis himself. Duncan refuses to and apologises to Paul.
When Paul asks his father to go Duke Leto also says the same thing, telling Paul of his suspicions of a trap. It isn't before long that everyone's fears are realised.
When 'Dune' first came out there were a lot of comparisons to 'Star Wars' and 'A Game of Thrones' as I said earlier. It was also praised for both its visual and special effects as well as the Hans Zimmer score. All of which I too enjoy. The iconic sandworms are also impressive when they make their appearance too.
It is very rare that whenever a book gets turned into a film that they do it properly in a way that satisfies both fans and none fans alike. The 'Harry Potter', 'The Hunger Games' and 'Lord of the Rings' films are some very small examples. Despite small changes made to them to appeal to none book readers, they were well received and gained a lot of new fans, just like 'Dune' has done. I admit that I'm also one of those new 'Dune' fans myself.
The score by Hans Zimmer is the best I've heard from him since 2004's 'King Arthur' (although his 'Dark Knight' trilogy score is also excellent too).
I have nothing bad to say about 'Dune' except...why on Earth did that horrible 'Westside Story' remake get the 'Best Picture' award at the Golden Globes and not 'Dune'?! Especially when 'Dune' was clearly more popular and had made more money than 'Westside Story'!
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