Dune (Widescreen)
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Movie Reviews of Dune (Widescreen)
Movie Review: An Incredible, Underrated Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie was panned by audiences and critics alike when its highly-anticipated release occurred in 1984, and since then it has become one of the legendary "bad films" of Hollywood (think "Heaven's Gate" or "Ishtar"). But the fact remains, DUNE simply doesn't deserve this treatment, as evidenced by its steadily growing popularity over the years. Misunderstood in 1984, DUNE is more and more being appreciated for the magnificent film that it is. It was ahead of its time, but its time has come.Why was this movie so despised? I believe that it's because it tried to be all things to all people. This movie disappointed the "typical" moviegoer who expected to see "Star Wars" but instead got a gothic, Shakespearian epic tale of political intrigue and messianic destiny. Hard-core fans of Herbert's fabulous novels were disappointed by the relatively underdeveloped characters and key omitted sequences, not to mention the un-Herbertian presence of David Lynch's stylistic elements (for example, the "heart plugs"). Hence, no one was pleased...and the movie bombed.
But DUNE bombed undeservedly. Any objective eye in either of the camps mentioned above will realize that DUNE does a yeoman's job of compressing a far-reaching epic into two and a half hours (try filming War and Peace in under three hours), providing a taste for the epic tale. The medium of film simply does not provide good translations of great books in most cases (with a few exception), so DUNE the movie needs to be appreciated for its own sake. As to those who found this movie too complex, well, don't be offended, but maybe this kind of thing is above your head intellectually.
This is the version to see (in my opinion the "Smithee" version(s) are so poorly edited that they aren't worth watching (although the added scenes are fascinating, especially as they relate to Patrick Stewart's portrayal of Halleck and the Fremen sequences). Hopefully, Mr. Lynch will realize what a great work he created with DUNE and return to produce a real expanded Director's Cut. Until then, though, this is your best bet...and by the way, consider investigating the books, both Frank Herbert's original six volumes and the new Brian Herbert-Anderson "prequel" series. All excellent.
Movie Review: Spice is not cinnamon!
Summary: 5 Stars
Since people seem to be complaining that the movie is ridiculous because wars are being fought over "cinnamon", I will try to explain why the spice is so important:
-Spice prolongs life. That would be enough to make it worth warring over, but there's more, far, far more.
-10,000 years prior, machines wrestled universal power from the humans. After a Great Revolt-- the Butlerian Jihad, named for the family that was the driving force of the revolution--, computers were banned across the Empire. To replace them, human computers called Mentats came into existence.
-Some Mentats, after consuming vast amounts of spice, transformed into those "talking vaginas", Navigators. Only they could hold in their mind the patterns of space between a starship and its destination. Without Navigators' mind power, starships would be useless.
-Through a melange (oops! pun, read the book) similar to spice called the Water of Life, obtained in the same way, some females were able to obtain potent mental abilities. They formed an Order, the Bene Gesserit, and they were the Reverend Mothers. Their abilities include Truthsaying, the perfect lie detector, and the Voice, which forces all who hear to obey. Later, new Reverend Mothers recieved the Other Memory, the memeory of Reverends before them. Supposedly, someone will eventually be able to consume the Water of Life and recieve a sort of half-omniscience, where they can go into occasional trances and see the past, present, and future as one. The Reverend Mothers in the movie wonder if the hero, Paul Maud'Dib, could be this "someone".
-Spice is addictive! The Navigators, the Reverend Mothers, the Dukes and Barons and Counts, they would all die without it. Even the Emperor Corrino, who loves nothing better than the prospect of cheating death, would be killed if the spice no longer flowed.
Now, if cinnamon prolonged life, allowed for interstellar travel and psychic powers, were addictive, and could only be found on some distant planet, we probably would fight over it a bit. The movie didn't do much to convey how important the spice is, but I hope now everyone will stop complaining about the cinnamon. Now we can all appreciate it as a complex and amazing book and a darn good movie.
Movie Review: A Good Adaption
Summary: 5 Stars
Yes, yes... I'm a huge fan of the books. Yes, yes... this is not a perfect adaptation. Yes, yes... the special effects are not fantastic, in fact, they are quite laughable. However, given that this movie was made in 1984 and the spirit of the book is still present, I'm still going to give this a 5 star rating.
For those who have no read the book(s): There are going to be a lot of things you are not going to understand. Reading the book would be helpful. Otherwise, I can understand why some might find the movie confusing and even a little bit boring. Alas, it is the fine points of the book that makes the story interesting and fascinating. The movie gives those small details no justice. I would highly suggest watching it with somebody who has read the books so they could point out a couple of these details to you, fill in missing aspects from the book, and answer your questions. If you have no such person among your collection of friends, I would actually recommend you skip the movie and read the book(s) first yourself.
To those who have read the book: A lot is left out. I would have loved to have seen Patrick Steward take a knife to the neck of Paul's mother. The stilsuits are not complete as a lot of moisture would be permitted to leave the body with what is depicted in this movie. Even the emphasis on the preciousness of water is barely focused on (no shocking scene of Stilgar spitting at Duke Leto or the shock of the Freman at Paul giving up water to the dead for Jamis). However, as I stated earlier, the spirit of the book is still there. It is still fun to watch even after reading the books. There are a few changes made (for instance, it is completely different how Paul takes the water of life) but those changes are kept to a minimum (thank goodness).
Boy, I could list many, many things that I wish could have been there. I'm going to watch the newer (4.5 hour) version and I'm sure much will still be missing. However, I think it would take a 10 hour movie to get it all in there and then it would just come across as being extremely boring. So, for a 2 hour long movie I think this did a good bit of justice to the book.
Movie Review: don't be misled
Summary: 5 Stars
Sorry to all those who are eagerly awaiting the 4 hour version of Dune, but having a copy of both versions I can say without reservation that the theatrical version is vastly superior (and to those who suggest that anyone who says they have the extended version is either lying or they taped it from tv - send me an e-mail and I can provide the production details from the DVD case to you: you can contact the distributor yourself). I disagree with those who say it strays from Frank Herbert's vision of Dune: it is suitably dark and full of atmosphere.
Yes, it is complex and, being so ambitious, it is at times difficult to understand - for those not familiar with Dune - but not impossible (and for me it was reason to read the book in the first place).
The production and sound qualities are first rate. If you have a good surround sound system then the DTS sound is sure to impress (or even a good stereo system will do the trick) - to me it is what makes this movie so powerful.
The extended version - here in Australia at least - is only in mono sound. In addition it is an "Alan Smithee" production, meaning that David Lynch wanted nothing to do with the butchered end product. It is not, repeat, NOT a Director's Cut, and boy does it show. Stock scenes are used again and again, and very crudely inserted in an attempt to add more detailed story telling. Even the Guild Navigator's voice has been redubbed, and lacks the threatening undertones which make it so ominous in the theatrical release.
The extended version was crudely put together to satisfy a television audience, and relies on an overkill of exposition.
So...if you want a good movie with high quality sound and picture, then buy the theatrical version!!
(PS the miniseries is equally enjoyable - just a different interpretation of a very complex story. A valid comparison of the two is difficult and ultimately futile: just approach them with an open mind and you should be able to enjoy both!).
Movie Review: Great movie, but some notable flaws
Summary: 5 Stars
When I initially saw Lynch's version of Dune, I was very impressed. The story of Paul fulfilling his destiny inspired me. This also made great use of voiceovers, which correlate to the book very well. I didn't read the book till many years later, and while Lynch's version perhaps captures the spirit of Dune in many ways, it lacks in some key areas. Harrison's version also had its flaws, but I think it addressed these things better:1. Stillsuits - When I saw Harrison's version, I was disappointed in their stillsuits, because in Lynch's version, the stillsuits look awesome. However, Harrison's stillsuits make much more sense. First of all, Lynch's stillsuits are dark black, which means they would absorb more heat, which means they would likely use up more of a person's water. Second, Fremen are an evasive, secretive people. It would be a lot easier to hide in Harrison's tan stillsuits than Lynch's black stillsuits. Third, Lynch's stillsuits look almost too professional, while Harrison's look more like they were simply made.
2. Weirding Way - The weirding way that was so central to Lynch's battles was not in the spirit of the book. Harrison's Dune portrayed the weirding way like it was, controlling one's body and judging an opponent.
3. Paul and the Fremen - Kyle MacLachlan had a stronger presence than Alec Newman, and yes, Newman's character whined a lot at the beginning. MacLachlan's Paul had no real coming of age though, and didn't seem to really wrestle with doubt. Newman's Paul didn't have all the answers and was unsure of himself. He had to grow into his role. He wasn't automatically seen as the savior of the Fremen. It is even alluded to that he is manipulating the Fremen. In these respects, Newman's Paul was truer to the book.
All in all, I think Lynch's Dune is a better overall motion picture, but compared to the book, the journey is too perfect. Harrison's Dune is darker and more complicated, and in that respect, it captures the book much better.