DUNE

Director: Written and directed by Denis Villeneuve, based on the Dune novels by Frank Herbert.

155, PG-13

Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa, and Javier Bardem.

 

French Canadian director Denis Villeneuve has achieved the impossible quest of creating a new film of Dune that breaks down the complex narrative to newcomers, while capturing the essence of Frank Herbert’s universe for its ardent fans. The futuristic epic involves the war between two noble families over control of Arrakis, a desolate planet with a precious resource that extends lifespans and brain capacity. The House of Atreides sends a visionary young man (Chalamet) to Arrakis to make an alliance with the exploited native population, do battle with enemies including colossal sand worms, and gain control of the planet. He arrives in an awe-inspiring desert landscape – one as mysterious, treacherous and vast as the Sahara in the unforgettable (on the big screen) Lawrence of Arabia. Villeneuve’s Dune has the heart-jolting action, great acting, and incredible visuals to make us impatient for 2023 and Part Two.

“a gorgeous sensory immersion that holds us in its spell for hours, with an ending that sparks yearning to see what comes next. A cinematic masterpiece.” – Melanie MacFarland, salon.com.