The long-anticipated Dune has finally been released, and it has dropped into cinemas full of expecting audiences hoping for good things from the film that has had so much hype surrounding it. Those who have been following the film’s journey will know that it was delayed many times before finally releasing this year, no doubt a result of the pandemic that stopped production for some time. This was a time where people were confined to their homes, and only had activities like online gambling to indulge in. There are many other options that people can use to enjoy these games, but there is no doubt that many would have been eagerly anticipating the return of blockbuster films, like Dune.
When it comes to what a movie should and should not do, Dune entirely falls on the side of doing what films should do, which is great to see. Too many times have people been disappointed by a film that fails to live up to expectations, but that is not the case here. Dune was always touted to be a spectacle, an experience that should be reserved only for IMAX screens. This assertion is in no way incorrect. Audiences who watch the film on a big screen, something that it was made for, will be treated to a visual feast. Dune has one of the highest production values ever seen from a movie and this translates onto the screen. Those who watch it will come across Spice-speckled deserts highlighted by the low light of the sun. That is before they come face to face with monstrous ships – an indicator of the time the film takes place in.
Of course, one cannot talk about Dune without mentioning the influence of Hans Zimmer. Even those who do not call themselves movie buffs will recognise the name as he is who can be credited for creating some of the most iconic soundtracks of all time. His works range from The Lion King to The Dark Knight and have defined a generation, such is the quality of Zimmer’s compositions. The same is true for Dune, in which Zimmer has seemed to provide a soundtrack to match the mood of every scene perfectly. The standout is a hauntingly epic chant by a woman that appears to be a motif for the films central character – Paul Atreides.
The story of Dune is quite unlike anything that audiences are used to. Those who have read the books or seen the 1984 film will not be surprised about its content, but those who are new to the universe entirely will be grasped by the plot as soon as the planet of Arrakis is shown. It can be best described as Mad Max meets Game of Thrones meets Star Wars, and there are clear elements of all these series present in Dune. The scope of the tale can be best aligned to what audiences saw upon watching The Fellowship of the Ring in 2001, and it is not a stretch to say that Dune can potentially be this generation’s The Lord of the Rings, which is perhaps the best compliment you can give any film!
Those who have made the grave mistake of not seeing this excellent film should make it a priority to get into the next showing.
