Saw Dune
Quite enjoyed it (although chances were maybe slim that I wouldn't).
Didn't have many expectations any which way.
Has problems as an adaption of the book but a decent enough film.
A lot of comments I could make, but for most people this will be the version to watch.
Quite enjoyed it (although chances were maybe slim that I wouldn't).
Didn't have many expectations any which way.
Has problems as an adaption of the book but a decent enough film.
A lot of comments I could make, but for most people this will be the version to watch.
A quick bunch:
Every time the dialogue stepped away from Herbert's it was weaker for it.
His writing is (literally) poetry.
Every time the dialogue stepped away from Herbert's it was weaker for it.
His writing is (literally) poetry.
The choice to not have the audience privy to the thoughts of the characters requires a bit of work around but it manages.
Show vs tell is tricky for any Dune film.
Show vs tell is tricky for any Dune film.
Losing focus on the themes around leadership was a critical mistake given this the primary point of the story.
Lady Jessica crying every 2nd scene was off. Needed to be more composed - being our main example of a Bene Gesserit - but with characterisation of emotion at key moments as slightly rogue out of love.
Not obviously a red-head but a detail which hardly matters given other choices
Not obviously a red-head but a detail which hardly matters given other choices
Traitor subplot was minimal, also made the Shadout Mapes scene nearly irrelevant with little payoff other than introducing crysknife, and just furthering prospective messiah thread.
(And no bloodletting?)
(And no bloodletting?)
The father-son relationship didn't manage to have its importance imparted enough given its significance for Paul's motivation, choice, and struggle with violence and the themes of rulership.
For that matter, nor did Paul's parents' love for each other.
For that matter, nor did Paul's parents' love for each other.
Liked the pose in the chair.
Casting is for the most part good but Kynes is a joke - literally opposite to everything the character is supposed to be.
But the character was made irrelevant anyway.
But the character was made irrelevant anyway.
https://twitter.com/evolvingcalm/status/1452096616425426952?s=20
Gurney Halleck seemed too grim. Weirdly missed the Patrick Stewart version. More appropriately Shakespearian probably what it is.
Nice to see Duncan Idaho given his full due, although almost too much actually considering the extra scene and extent of the fighting. One of the beautiful things about Dune is how he is basically a footnote.
Spice and its use really needed an additional emphasis.
Application of visions of the future were underwhelming, tent scene had some punch but was a pale shadow compared to the 'time and space beginning to unfold under the light of the moon' that it might of been.
You need a spectacle.
Opening breakfast scene not impressive as an initial characterisation of Paul. Also Voice can never be done properly but that's the nature of cinema.
Paul was decent overall but made out to be a bit more of a weedy dopey teenager than he maybe should be.
Didn't seem like he was the culmination of his family of mentors.
Will be interesting to see how the transition to 'Paul the leader' goes.
Didn't seem like he was the culmination of his family of mentors.
Will be interesting to see how the transition to 'Paul the leader' goes.
Again no banquet scene - Frank Herbert would be disappointed.
No garden scene just palm tree scene with some random guy - a little questionable and missed another opportunity for a Jessica - Paul moment.
Chani being a little bit 'edgier' seems trendy for the sake of being trendy.
No explanation of mentats. Maybe fine, but Thufir done dirty.
Could have done with a little more Baron Harkonnen
Also no Feyd-Rautha - presumably this will be addressed in a second half?
Also no Feyd-Rautha - presumably this will be addressed in a second half?
Missed a step it felt by jumping straight from Caladan to Arrakis without much of any interstellar transition in between.
Arrakeen didn't seem alive.
Plus harshness of the planet actually seemed understated.
Fights were good.
Plus harshness of the planet actually seemed understated.
Fights were good.
Ending was weak and rushed but obviously not finishing in the proper place.
Worm riding reveal was weak for something so significant.
Worm riding reveal was weak for something so significant.
Dragonfly Ornithopters make sense to me.
One could question whether the visual design, especially of the Great Houses, should be a bit more opulent and baroque but I liked it fine overall.
Maybe a bit fashionable.
One could question whether the visual design, especially of the Great Houses, should be a bit more opulent and baroque but I liked it fine overall.
Maybe a bit fashionable.
Enjoyed the soundtrack, but it was a crutch. Bagpipes were strange, almost out of place, but awesome.
Dune is hard to do, as the many attempts have demonstrated, so some notable kudos to the director and crew. Some things were well done, but there's some critical misunderstanding of the source material.
You always have to cut something.
You always have to cut something.
The 1984 version, the mess that it is, is probably a better adaption overall, but a worse film.
Although
Although
https://twitter.com/evolvingcalm/status/1451089843090456578?s=20
As you can tell I'm close to this so hard to separate myself from that.
Easily tweeted about Dune enough for the moment.
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