By Patrick Bartlett (Twitter: @alleywaykrew)
We may very well be at a tipping point in the current blockbuster era. There is undoubtedly a saturation in the cinematic marketplace. As such, fatigue definitely feels like it’s setting in. As successful as many big, splashy event pictures of late have been… the pushback that comes from said fatigue is already palpable. The problem is that there may be no way back to the way things were. The last time the general public got tired of genre cinema, we got the rise of independent film but with the way that corporate entities seem to be growing, probably the best case scenario for the future is a film like Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune”. It’s a film that’s got enough scale (more than enough really) to satisfy anyone’s blockbuster desires but enough depth and substance to satisfy those that dread going to yet another big splashy wide release from a major studio on thousands of screens worldwide and the trappings that often come with that.
I’m genuinely not sure how Denis Villeneuve managed to find his way into the studio system. As great a work as “Prisoners” or “Sicario” may be, how it leads to him being the guy tapped to do this or a sequel to something as totemic as “Blade Runner” Is not a clear path as far as I can see. From “Blade Runner 2049” to “Dune” is substantially clearer though. It seemed like a miracle that Villeneuve was able to make a film that could come anywhere near the original “Blade Runner”, but he managed to make something with a similar level of depth while also doing something in many ways completely his own, especially in terms of scale, pace and tone. His take on “Dune” ups that ante even more so. The original adaptation of “Dune” by David Lynch isn’t necessarily that well regarded, so I don’t think anyone involved in the creation of this film was worried about doing their own thing here. It’s ultimately an incredibly interesting film as a result. Villeneuve has taken Frank Herbert’s novel and genuinely built the massive world from it, filtered through his imagination, in front of our eyes. I don’t even know how to put into words the awe that I felt when looking upon every set, every costume, etc. It was a unique experience and a true wonder to behold and that speaks to the truly grand vision that Villeneuve possesses and that no other filmmaker really manages to come close to today. “Dune” brings a new meaning to world building. I’m not sure there’s been anything like this since maybe Peter Jackson’s Middle Earth stuff and yet this still manages to feel grander. His command of the craft is something special. All of his films so far have had a very deliberate pace that I’m not sure is something that will enthrall the widest possible audience but at the very least… I can’t imagine anyone looking at this film and not being impressed by the level of artistry on display.
I don’t really know how to explain the plot of “Dune” (especially without spoilers) in simple terms as it’s a legitimate epic in the truest sense but I will try my best. Basically, the film follows Paul of House Atreides, a young man learning to navigate a generations old conflict with House Harkonnen for the planet Arakkis and its denizens, known as the Fremen. Honestly, if that doesn’t make sense… I get it. It’s a lot to take in. Even in the context of the film. “Dune” demands your constant attention. What it really boils down to is it’s a coming-of-age story in a lot of ways. Paul is learning how to stand on his own, despite being groomed in two seemingly very different directions from his parents as well as having dreams that seem to really be visions that are pulling him in another direction entirely. If you really break the film down, that’s what it is and why it’s ultimately easier to connect with than it might seem on the surface. Everyone has experienced the time in their life where they have to figure out their own path to walk and Paul’s just happens to be more in the midst of an epic.
It all really works not just because of Denis Villeneuve’s vision but also the cast. The cast is probably the biggest draw to a mainstream audience, since Villeneuve isn’t exactly a household name but people like Dave Bautista, Jason Momoa, Timothee Chalamet, Javier Bardem, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, and Josh Brolin are definitely recognizable in terms of blockbuster clout or awards buzz (both in some cases). The central figure is Chalamet playing Paul Atreides and it’s monumentally impressive that he’s able to carry this film. You have the aforementioned cast and Villeneuve literally building all new worlds with Chalamet effortlessly carrying it all on his back. I had no idea how he’d manage it going in but Chalamet does so with aplomb. Paul Atreides in “Dune” might not be the flashiest character but that makes what Chalamet is doing both as an actor and what he’s doing with the character all the more interesting. He’s holding his own with these other wonderful actors in worlds that don’t exist and grounding it all in a reality that makes it completely believable. This definitely bodes well for future roles he may find himself in. I do want to take a second to talk about Momoa’s Duncan Idaho though. If Chalamet’s Atreides is the Luke Skywalker of this film, Duncan is the Han Solo. There was barely a single second that Momoa was on screen that I didn’t have a big smile on my face. A believable badass with genuine warmth and humor absolutely owns this. The whole cast is great though. Not everyone gets the same amount of screen time, but everyone manages to stand out and make the most of what they have in any given scene.
To be perfectly honest, the only thing about Villeneuve’s “Dune” that I wasn’t thrilled with was that this film is only part of a story. The film ultimately does manage to stand on its own but if you weren’t aware already, you’re not actually getting a fully complete story in these two and a half hours or so. In fact, in none of the marketing materials was this clearly stated. the film actually does say on the title card… that this is, in fact, “Dune: Part One”. I never thought we’d be getting everything from “Dune” in this one film but it’s still a little disappointing. It only really bothers me because while in many ways, yes, this is its own film and satisfying enough in its own right but now we as an audience now have to wait and see how this film does financially to see if the whole story will be brought to life by Villeneuve and company. I hope so. I want to see how Villeneuve expands on what he’s already created for the screen and completes what he and his cast have started.
I not only hope that we get the rest of Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” adaptation but that it’s successful enough so we get more films like it. I hope this acts as a lesson for other filmmakers going forward. I love a ridiculous genre movie as much (if not more) than anyone, but I think it’s important to also have films with more depth of story and character out there as well. Moreover, the fact that Villeneuve was able to get this cast and create something visually from the ground up of such a legitimately epic scale suggests that maybe even the people making this stuff are itching for something different as well. This film is an example of how you create something truly epic. Denis Villeneuve is maybe the closest we have and will get to someone like David Lean in this generation and by all rights, “Dune” will hopefully be recognized as not only the definitive take on the story but as what big movies really should hope to emulate on one level or another in the future.
To find out where this film is available to stream, click here: Just Watch