By Raci Levine
Features editor
Over-hyped, “Dune” begins with a sluggish plot. The entire movie has the audience constantly questioning the script writing and disappointingly taking some of the actors’ credibility away from them.
“Dune” had much potential, but the story line was overall confusing, since it’s hard to follow the dialect and understand the plot and context. Based on the publicity “Dune” was creating for Zendaya to play Chani, it was expected for the audience to see her for more than five minutes in the movie. However, Zendaya is only shown through Paul’s (Timothée Chalamet) visions and for a very small portion at the end.
The roughly two and a half hour science fiction film set approximately 20,000 years in the future was directed by Denis Villeneuve. “Dune” stars Timothée Chalamet playing Paul Atreides; Zendaya playing Chani; Jason Momoa playing Duncan Idaho; and Dave Bautista playing Glossu Rabban.
Based on Frank Herbert’s novel, “Dune,” the movie begins with Paul Atreides having visions of Chani. With time passing, Paul learns that with a certain tone of voice, he and his people have the power to compel others to do as he says. As the slow pacing continues, Paul is intended to be the savior of his native people.
The ultimate conflict includes the Harkonnens wanting to take over the spice industry and supply on Arrakis. The Harkonnens in this had no conflict of interest whatsoever. Although the Harkonnens was a creative input toward this movie. It shows a clear overall reason to why it’s included in this movie unlike the majority.
This film ends with an implied sequel, due to a suspenseful line given to the audience, which is set to release in 2023.
The ending was the main and biggest failure in this movie. Many characters were left behind, and the plot had no relation to the ending.
The movie’s greatest weakness are its unorganized plot, lack of an interesting script, and complete loss of context for the audience. Critics from “The Wrap” have said that the “Dune” ending was “abrupt and weird.” It has also been argued by “Collider” that the movie itself is anticlimactic, although Paul’s emotional arc isn’t.
Chalamet carried the movie’s popularity and credibility. Without him the movie’s only viewers would be the original book fans, who were left disappointed. While the character he plays undermines his acting technique and credibility, many other top actors/actresses played disappointing characters in this shockingly strange movie.
There are no surprises or shocks, leaving the audience on the edge of the seat. The movie ends before the major plot takes place in the book. Contrary to movie history, the hinted sequel seems to be much more interesting given the plot, and hopefully much more lively.
One of the movie’s greatest strengths are the truly impeccable sets. It is a cinematic masterpiece to watch, but a pain to understand. The movie has created $223.2 million of revenue on a $165 million budget. “Dune” was mainly in a desert on the north coast of Norway. It was upsetting to realize the quality of the sets outweigh the quality of the script.
Chalamet shows outstanding acting, but this movie has very similar characteristics from his 2019 historical fiction film, “The King,” which lacked originality. Being the protagonist in both slow-paced films, he overall puts on an amazing performance, but the writing is monotonous.
Going into this movie, it is highly suggested to read the book or watch the “Dune” 1984 version for the context that the movie fails to give. It gives the audience a confusing story. This movie is a huge failure to many science fiction fans as well as many Timothée Chalamet fans who have been waiting patiently for this film to finally be released.
Released on Oct. 22, “Dune” is rated PG-13 and can be seen in theaters and on HBO Max.
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