Let’s be honest: you can safely watch most movies at home at some point. Not this one! “Dune” belongs in the cinema! Frank Herbert’s mammoth work (from 1965 to 1985) has already been filmed several times. The versions have never been so convincing – until now!
Story: In the distant future, interstellar travel is possible. The drug “Spice” required for this is only broken down on the desert planet Arrakis, known as the dune. Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac, 42) of the Atreides house is appointed to manage Dune. Baron Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgard, 70), who was shot for Leto, seeks revenge. Meanwhile, Leto’s son Paul (Timothée Chalamet, 25) is considered a kind of Messiah by the desert inhabitants …
The Canadian director Denis Villeneuve (53, “Sicario”, “Blade Runner 2049”) gathers stars around him: Jason Momoa (42), Josh Brolin (53), Dave Bautista (52), Javier Bardem (52). Especially Rebecca Ferguson (37) convinces as Paul’s mysterious witch mother Lady Jessica.
Despite its 2.5 hours, “Dune” doesn’t seem boring for a minute. It has seldom been made easier for the audience to put themselves in an imaginative, yet absolutely realistic world.
Bottom line: find the largest canvas you can find. “Dune” is a visually stunning screen epic with a star cast. Part 2 can’t come soon enough.
(155 min./ 12+)
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