There is a real sense that the four classical elements – fire, water, earth, and air – play a subtle but pivotal role in Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 remake of Frank Herbert’s iconic science fiction novel Dune.
Entrenched within the universal visuals, waves gently lap upon the tranquil shore, scorched earth suggests the utter inhospitality of a new planetary home, wind brings the seemingly endless sand dunes to moving life, fire violently lights up the pitch black night’s sky, and, despite the endless clash of good versus evil, a certain mystical harmony arises through Villeneuve and his team’s stunning use of cinematography, camera placement/movement, editing, and the like.
Combined with an otherworldly score by Hans Zimmer, these audiovisual elements provide the backdrop for Herbert’s dense operatic space saga (adapted by Villeneuve, Jon Spaihts, and Eric Roth). Centered on the influential family Atreides: Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac), Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), and their son Paul (Timothée Chalamet), they have been commanded by the Emperor to replace the House Harkonnen as fief rulers of the spice planet Arrakis – as the all-important spice is the number one commodity of the empire. Needless to say, all of this is very much to the chagrin of Harkonnen’s leader, Baron Vlademir (Stellan Skarsgård – clearly inspired by Marlon Brando’s Colonel Kurtz in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1979 classic Apocalypse Now) and his warlord nephew Glossu (Dave Bautista).
Honorably accepting the challenging request, before leaving, Paul receives a visit in the middle of the night from his mother’s mentor, Gaius Helen Mohiam (Charlotte Rampling) – a Truthsayer who tests him in regards to his present and future path – leading to further intriguing questions.
Filmizon.com’s Nikolai Adams with Jason Momoa – who plays swordmaster Duncan in 2021’s Dune
The next day, the Atreides family makes the space trek along with their trusted military advisor, Thufir (Stephen McKinley Henderson), weapons master, Gurney (Josh Brolin), swordmaster, Duncan (Jason Momoa), trusted medical specialist, Dr. Wellington Yueh (Chang Chen), and a number of military units, the large group arriving and attempting to quickly adapt to this scorchingly hot, inhospitable desert planet that will be their new home.
Inhabited by numerous tribes of blue eyed, desert dwellers (called Fremen), Paul is frequented by a number of visionary dreams revolving around these people. . . especially the mysterious Chani (Zendaya). Paul holds a telekinetic style power passed down along his mother’s bloodline, while many whisper that he might be the chosen one – a long foretold legend of a man who will have the ability to unite past, present, and future. It is also worth noting that the first Fremen leader to make contact with the Atreides family upon their arrival is the rather blunt Stilgar (Javier Bardem).
Weaving together a story of interstellar loyalty, honor, treachery, tragedy, revenge, as well as finding one’s own path, so much of this film really hinges on its sequel. . . projected to be released in 2023. With an ending that can only be deemed open, Dune sets the stage for what will truly make or break this feature. . . the closest recent comparison being It (It’s sequel slightly maiming the overall product with an overlong and less focused conclusion).
While audiences wait, there is no denying the visual craftsmanship of this epic motion picture (once again, Villeneuve has done it. . . much like the cinematic splendor found in Blade Runner 2049). Paired with an impressive cast, the only negatives it might hold for some are its thick subject (though not too complex in story, its dense world building might be a lot for some to absorb without multiple viewings) and its confidently meandering two hour and thirty-five minute pacing (which might be a tad slow for some modern viewers). So, feel free to travel to this far off world, just remember, “this is only the beginning”.