Common Sense Note
Parents should know this movie contains disturbing imagery and violence. However, children might find most of it tame by today's standards, even a little hokey. A character is stabbed in the neck. Villains are grotesque. A man with oozing boils on his face enjoys a form of torture involving unplugging a valve leading to a person's heart. There are battle scenes and explosions.
Families who see this movie might talk about Paul's sense of duty and commitment, the story's notions of destiny, as well as mythology and the modern-day re-tellings of the hero story also found in films like Star Wars and The Matrix.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Tony Nigro
David Lynch allegedly turned down a chance at directing Return of the Jedi to do this adaptation of Frank Herbert's seminal novel. Star Wars' fans are far better off for it. The story follows Paul Atreides (Kyle MacLachlan) in his messianic journey toward leadership during an intergalactic battle over control of a mystic (and probably psychedelic) spice. In a fantastical universe of the future, a now legendary cast including Patrick Stewart, Max von Sydow, Sting, Virginia Madsen, and Brad Dourif surround young Atreides in his ascent to leader of a people.
The story is a myth and features a world worthy of J.R.R. Tolkien and George Lucas -- or even Homer and Virgil, but alas, it's no Lord of the Rings. Here, the pairing of a cult director and a cult novel produces not a masterpiece, but a doubly cult curio, something enjoyable only for its bad dialogue and corny effects. In terms of cult value, Lynch's signature strangeness is lacking in both the film's direction and its special effects. Those craving Herbert's epic storytelling will not find it here. Much was cut to make the film's two-plus hour running time. Ultimately, DUNE'S potential seems lost on Kyle MacLachan's jutting hero chin, a feature that unfortunately, does not make up for his acting, the movie's too-stately pace, nor its camp grandiosity.
Those who are further interested in the world of DUNE may wish to watch the Sci-Fi Channel's more recent miniseries, Dune and Children of Dune. Those interested in David Lynch's films may wish to see Blue Velvet or the TV series Twin Peaks.
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