
Dune
By Jeffrey M. Anderson,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Lots of fighting in vivid but long sci-fi adaptation.

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Dune
Community Reviews
Based on 25 parent reviews
Spiritually Dark
Jaw-dropping prologue has intense violence
What's the Story?
In DUNE, the desert planet Arrakis is the source of a valuable drug, called "spice," that allows users to travel vast distances. Spice mining and distribution on Arrakis are controlled by the evil Baron Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgard), whose armies oppress the planet's Fremen people. Under orders from the emperor, Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac) takes over the stewardship of Arrakis and moves there with his wife, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), and son, Paul (Timothée Chalamet). Lady Jessica has been teaching Paul in the ways of the Bene Gesserit, and, once on Arrakis, some of the Fremen begin to suspect that Paul may be a prophesied "chosen one." But after a betrayal, Lady Jessica and Paul find themselves in the desert, hunted by giant sandworms, with the mysterious Fremen their only chance of survival.
Is It Any Good?
In this first of two Dune movies, director Denis Villeneuve smooths out the most cumbersome parts of Frank Herbert's original tale, providing enough spectacle to overcome the dull bits. With echoes of his earlier films Arrival and Blade Runner 2049, Villeneuve brings a languid moodiness to the storytelling here, slowing things down and allowing viewers time to take in the vast sets (built broad and low to fit the widescreen frame) and devices -- like the amazing, if impractical, ships modeled after dragonflies -- and to keep track of the story's innumerable characters. This rhythm builds to the tale's memorable, invigorating highlights -- such as Paul dodging a life-threatening hunter-seeker or enduring the painful gom jabbar test, or the first appearance of the massive sandworms -- and makes them feel extra vivid.
The movie even manages to soften the old, tired "chosen one" device, as well as the simplistic plot strands that are covered up by heaps of sci-fi names (how do you pronounce "Thufir Hawat" anyway?), places, and devices, making things flow more organically. It's even possible to remember that the original novel, published in 1965, actually inspired much that came after it, including Star Wars and The Matrix. Villeneuve can't quite downplay the source material's choking seriousness, but there are lighter moments. Skarsgard's Baron is a highlight; he's so grotesque that you can't look away. And then there's a swaggering Jason Momoa as swordmaster Duncan, who seems to be the only one having any fun. As with Blade Runner 2049, Dune goes on too long, with too many scenes of fighting, and this version lacks the quirky personality of the 1984 David Lynch take, but it's far more rousing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Dune's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
Why is "spice" considered a drug? Is meant to represent drugs as we know them? Is it glamorized? Are there consequences for using it?
What are some of the movie's themes? How can sci-fi be used to explore real-life issues like colonialism and representation? How are the Fremen represented in the film?
How does this movie compare to the novel, the previous movie, and/or the TV movie? How is it different from those versions? How is it the same?
Is Paul a role model? What makes him seem heroic? What behaviors suggest otherwise?
Movie Details
- In theaters: October 22, 2021
- On DVD or streaming: January 11, 2022
- Cast: Timothée Chalamet , Zendaya , Rebecca Ferguson , Oscar Isaac
- Director: Denis Villeneuve
- Inclusion Information: Female actors, Black actors, Multiracial actors, Latino actors
- Studio: Warner Bros.
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Topics: Book Characters , Space and Aliens
- Run time: 155 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: sequences of strong violence, some disturbing images and suggestive material
- Awards: Academy Award , Golden Globe
- Last updated: October 7, 2023
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