Legendary Pictures’ Dune (dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; UA) is set in year 10191. Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac) accepts the stewardship of desert planet Arrakis, also known as Dune, in spite of the inherent dangers. Dune is the only place where one gets melange (spice), a drug which extends human life, provides super-human levels of thought, and makes super-fast travel possible. Leto knows that the offer is actually a trap set by his enemies but yet, he takes his concubine, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), and their son, Paul (Timothée Chalamet), to Arrakis.
Leto takes charge of the spice mining operation, made perilous by giant sandworms. A game plan, unknown to them, takes Jessica and Paul to the natives of Arrakis, who live in the deep desert. What happens thereafter?
The film is based on Frank Herbert’s eponymous science fiction novel. The story is not very engaging. The screenplay, written by Jon Spaihts, Denis Villeneuve and Eric Roth, is also not too interesting. Besides, it does not move at a very fast pace.
Timothée Chalamet does fairly well as Paul. Rebecca Ferguson is alright as Lady Jessica. Oscar Isaac is okay in the role of Duke Leto Atreides. Josh Brolin makes his presence felt as Gurney Halleck, the weapons master and one of the mentors of Paul. Stellan Skarsgård has his moments as Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. Zendaya (as Chani) is good. Dave Bautista (as Glossu Rabban), Stephen McKinley Henderson (as Thufir Hawat), Javier Bardem (as Stilgar), Jason Mamoa (as Duncan Idaho) and the others provide decent support.
Denis Villeneuve’s direction is so-so. He has not been able to make a thoroughly entertaining film. Hans Zimmer’s background music is alright. Greig Fraser’s cinematography is of a fine order. Production designing (by Patrice Vermette) is good. Joe Walker’s editing could’ve been sharper. Dubbing is of a good standard.
On the whole, Dune is a dull fare.
Released on 22-10-’21 all over (except in Maharashtra) thru Warner Bros. Pictures (India) Pvt. Ltd. Publicity: so-so. Opening: poor. …….Also released all over. The original English version has also opened simultaneously (including in Maharashtra).