Dune – 2021

I’m one of those who actually enjoyed David Lynch’s attempt at Dune from 1984. I know it does not stand in high esteem among most people but I never had a problem with it. I’ve even heard rumors that David Lynch wanted to take his name from it because it didn’t represent his vision. I would sure have wanted to see Jodorowsy’s Dune but in the meantime, I’ll settle for this.

I recognize the story from Lynch’s film since I never read Frank Herbert’s novel. But I was under the impression that the critique against the Lynch movie was that it was incomprehensible compared to the book. I’m not too keen on comparing books and movies since it’s two different ways to express a story. But I don’t really see those differences between these versions of Dune, I don’t understand the story better in this version, but I didn’t have a problem old version so I guess I’m back at square one.

Two parts

But this version of Dune is divided into two parts and this two and a half to three hours is only the first part of the story. For me, it’s kind of a waste of time to spend so much on only half the story. Sure, it looks good and I think that the aesthetics of the movie is fine. The special effects have advanced a bit since 1984 so many things are made a little more believable here from that perspective. I’m kind of bothered that some of the dialog is exactly the same though, word for word. But then again, maybe those passages are citations from the novel? I don’t know but it doesn’t sound too far-fetched.

Unrecognizable

I’m no good with connecting actors’ faces to names and vice versa but there are a lot of well-known faces and names here. Some of them are best recognized by their name and some by their faces. For example, I know that Stellan Skarsgård, our Swedish actor, who might be best known as the father of Alexander Skarsgard these days, does the part of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen but I don’t actually recognize home when watching the movie. Others bare faces That I can’t connect to a name. And by the way, Jason Momoa is hard to recognize without a beard…

I’m looking forward to the next part just to see the continuation of the story. But I don’t have anything hopes for a masterpiece in the end. I think that it will still be a mediocre experience for me. Maybe I should read the novel, after all, to see what all the fuss about the filmatisations is all about?