My Dune review - spoilers -- (edited)
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Some level setting...I read the first 3 books 30 years ago, never again but have a fond impression and reasonable memory of plot events, characterization, etc.
Also, I am a Fan of Lynch but his version should be struck from memory. It's awful. Ok...
I like it. I liked it a lot coming out of it. But the more I thought about it - the more I started to sour on it. Anyone who takes on this challenge really has to be up to it and I'm not sure it can be done. Part of that is because, while F Herbert is a good writer for certain things he's lousy in others. He "tells" rather than "shows"...hence all the internal monologues in the books. About that...
Lynch tried this and it sort of worked (one of the few things). DV didn't even try so he was stuck with "showing". I had heard through the Dune fandom that Lady Jessica was a mess in the movie. And she was...but it was reasonably muted for most of the movie, so I suspected I knew what they were doing...but at one point she's openly sobbing - too far DV. It's ok to tell an actor - No. Or, if you asked her of it - you did a Bad.
Lady Jessica is parts Lady Di after the divorce, "Ripley" from "Aliens" and...Obi Wan Kenobi. DV failed with her character. That's bad.
He cast Baron H really well. I was pleased when it was announced, but they pulled their punches here. They're not going to address some his sexuality which is really just thinly veiled, Homosexual Bashing. I get that, don't want to see that, that's fine. But you have a great actor with a part akin to Darth Vadar without the wizardry and again...it's just...there. I don't recall how many scenes he was in but it felt slight which makes little sense for an Antoganist.
He did well in casting Tim Chalamet. He looks perfect for the part. He does well with what he was given but that wasn't much. "Paul" is somewhat brash, disinterested, fretful teenager, not in a YT way we see now in moves, but a teenager none the less...
I saw the movie try show some of these traits but it was very...muted. Not that I needed him flinging chairs, it was just a bit too subtle. I'm giving myself an out here though and more of that may be coming in Pt II. It might not be as obvious in what this movie covers...what else...
What surprised me was how sparse DV was overall with the story. There were not difficult, quick ways to add in world building details...like, the Spacing Guild Navigators. Anyone who got through the version in '84 knows what I'm talking about...that giant, orange/pink walrus nosed goldfish floating in their own tank of spice. We obviously haven't seen that but there is speculation that we saw Early Stage Spacing Guild Navigators with the arrival of House A on Arrakis (I love that spell check didn't flag that as wrong). You see humanoids in white grab save their helmets which may have an orange/pink tint...spice immersion? If DV wanted to hint at this, he missed an opportunity. Just do it. show the humanoid fish face pressed against the glass of the helmet for a jump scare or to be impressed by.
Same with the Mentats. Those would read the books knew what and who they were, the two guys with the blue/black stripe along there lower lip. The actor who played the Mentat for House H was great. I totally bought that. He was clearly "different" but DV really lets on as to why...
Same with Maud Dib...you show it three times and never hint at the meaning and greater meaning it has for Paul? I'll let this one go if DV does a reveal on this in the sequel.
The Freman were great. Javier B as Stilgar is perfect. Looking forward to seeing more.
Momoa is very good as Ducan. Standard "Bro" Role which requires no acting out of him. Can't wait to see him in every following Dune movie until the end of the universe
Visually, it's impressive. I loved the trick DV uses to show a REALLY big ship in orbit and these seemingly tiny ships coming out of it. Cut to planetside to see the "tiny" ships land and see that are also massive. So that mothership is really really big.
The score was great. I agree with the praise it's getting. It actually helps the audience.
In the end, I liked it, I'm not disappointed but I don't understand why DV muted so much. I know it was never going to happen but an opening set of scenes like LOtR:Fellowship would instantly drag in an audience similarly and set the Foundation for the trilogy.
I'll watch it a few more times because I liked it well enough that maybe I missed things. And I'm glad we're getting Pt II.
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