Dune the epic film Summer failed to give us warms up the Fall

by Kathia Woods

Once, another Dune, directed by David Lynch and released in 1984, launched Kyle MacLachlan's career. Denis Villeneuve directs this slicker version of Dune, which benefits modern technology and an all-star cast. This time, Timothee Chalamet portrays Paul Atreides, while Zendaya as Chani haunts him in his dreams. The Dune of 2021 is an awe-inspiring, breathtaking, and enthralling experience. Unlike Lynch's version, Denis Villeneuve chooses to divide the story into two parts, leaving you wanting more.

It's a wise strategy because it allows him to take his time with the material. The tricky part is that the studio hasn't yet committed to part two.

The battling houses serve as the story's foundation. Leo Atreides (Oscar Isaac) leads Artreides, and Baron Vladimir Harkonnen leads Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgard). Greed and betrayal are at the root of the problem. A conflict erupts between the two houses over control of Arrakis and its valuable commodity spice. Spice makes space travel easier, and whoever controls it controls the universe. For Paul, this is his first trip on a mission with his father, the Duke, and mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson). Lady Jessica bequeathed Paul another birthright, which he will use in the future. There's also the Fremen to contend with, they are Araki's residents who have suffered under Harkonnen rule, so they are naturally wary of the Atreides or anyone foreign.

From casting to scenery to costuming, the screenplay by Jon Spaihts, Eric Roth, and Villeneuve chose to go dramatic, and that's a good thing. The visual effects, such as the giant worms, contribute to the story's drama.

Finally, this is Paul's story; he's caught in a web of dreams and expectations. Chani, played by Zendaya, is central to the dreams. She's a Fremen. (Her fanbase will be irritated by her limited screen time so that you know.) Chalamet was an excellent choice for the role of Paul. Naturally, he fits the age, but also the angst the young heir is experiencing. He's supposed to lead but isn't allowed until a series of events propels him to the forefront, and all of his training and learning must come into play.

This modern version is also better at outlining the plot, but we must emphasize Villeneuve's advantage of superior technology once more.

The downside is that, while the film entices you with its grandeur, it abruptly ends just as you're fully committed to the adventure. We've sat through 155 minutes (approximately 2 and a half hours) of movie time, and now the credits are playing. While this is a huge gamble, this could also be the best chess move made in movie history because the studio knows where coming to see the second part no matter.

Finally, underutilizing a talent like Zendaya is simply criminal. She wasn't the only one who deserved to be given more screen time.  Jason Momoa, and Josh Brolin, are all stunning and could have used a little more screen time. It is expected that Zendaya will play a pivotal role in the next saga, which will disappoint her fans who have come to support the young icon this go around.

In the end, if you were missing that grand experience, Dune delivers on all counts, and that isn't a bad thing in and of itself. Escapism is beneficial.

It's future might appear to be as hazy as Paul's visions. This movie is everything a sci-fi fan could ask for from Hollywood. We know who is good and who is bad. We have great battles to look forward to, as well as a hero to root for. The best part is that it does not feel overwhelming despite the film's length of over two hours, which is one of its biggest triumphs. We leave the theater disappointed that there wasn't more.