A book as complex as Dune weighing in at 187,240 words, much like Tolkien’s Trilogy can’t be completely covered even in three movies. There’s just too much there. Then there’s the fact that the world when Herbert wrote Dune is very different than the world of today, and we have a very different experience with the Muslim Faith and the phrase Jihad than someone living in 1965. That said, this version provides a much better feel of the book than past versions. That’s not just me talking: My wife and I sat next to Frank Herbert’s eldest Granddaughter for the sneak peek showing at 1600 on Thursday afternoon. She felt it was a great treatment of her grandpa’s work.
The critics are all over the place on Dune Part 2, some loved it, some hated it. Justin Chang from NPR panned it because it didn’t say anything “trenchant or meaningful” about the current conflicts in the Middle East. Complaining that it’s blank and superficial.
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Nadira Goffe of Slate on the other hand, loved it while saying that it doesn’t actually mirror the source material but is “an adaptation that stands as well on its own as it does paired with the book.”
I don’t usually read critics takes before I see a movie. I find that 90% of the critics out there fit the late Robert Heinlein’s description: “A critic is a man who creates nothing and thereby feels qualified to judge the work of creative men. There is logic in this; he is unbiased, he hates all creative people equally.”
The cast was very well chosen, Timothee Chalamet continues to impress me with his acting abilities. As Paul Atreides his journey from a scared teen to the very reluctant prophet and leader of a galaxy-spanning Jihad is believable and credible. His ability to portray complex emotions with his face is his strongest skill.
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Denis Villleneuve, as director and writer played a little bit with the character of Chani as played perfectly by Zendaya: She’s a little more militant and a lot more doubtful of the legend of Lisan al-Gaieb. It’s one nod to the current world and an implied refusal to endorse the concept of Holy War.
Austin Butler showed his range at Feyd-Rautha, as psychopathic and evil a character as you’ll find this side of Voldemort. It’s impossible to see the star of Elvis or Maj. Buck Cleven from Masters of the Air in this character, and that’s what’s impressive. Both my wife and Mr. Herbert’s granddaughter thought that Sting’s portrayal of this character was more fun, but this one was truer to the book. It’s the difference between Jack Nickson’s Joker, and Kieth Ledger’s version.
The FX and cinematography were fantastic, the Bene Gesserit order (the true villains of this world in my opinion, they create the Harkonen, and the Emperor, and unwittingly create the Muad’Dib Jihad through their machinations) are the self-serving manipulators Herbert describes. The one thing that the movie glosses over that I wish they had spent a little time on is the Weirding Way, the Bene Gesserit school of fighting that Paul teaches to his followers. As I said, though, you can’t cover everything.
What do you think of Dune Part 2? Is it a faithful adaptation of the Frank Herbert book? Leave a comment and let us know.
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The film was good but there were “modern day” sensitivities injected, particularly in Chani’s character.
In the book, there was no direct commentary on holy wars as evil… it was shown … and it was much more powerful.
I cannot recall any split in the Fremens and Chani was a more mature character.
It is sad that modern and empowered is just immature and cynical attitude.
All these were jarring points and a big negative, in an otherwise very well done movie.
Compared to most hollywood woke-dumpsters, this was less on the nose, particularly if you have not read the book.
.. why getting rid / reducing Fremen blue eyes??