Dune is a very popular movie that was transformed from book into picture last year. Therefore, it is vital for viewers to both understand the cinematography and plot of the movie. And also understand how successful the transition of the book to the big screen was. This article will cover those topics and more in depth from two different perspectives. 

By Nate Carr and Patrick Pane

Nate’s Perspective on the movie:

Dune is a science fiction movie which centers around a power struggle for an extremely valuable resource that allows for interstellar travel. In the eyes of the emperor, the central government in this universe, one faction has held control of this resource for too long and extracted too much wealth from it. This immense wealth has been used to create vast and powerful armies which ultimately threaten the central government itself so the emperor decrees that control of the resource shall shift to a different faction. This second faction is where we find our main character, a young prince still under the mentorship of his father. The story follows him and his fathers attempt to secure the transition of power and expand their own wealth.

Dune is space politics at its best, it avoids the common pitfall of getting too bogged down in boring details by instead having a fairly simple plot and focusing its efforts on worldbuilding. This worldbuilding pays off massively as we are introduced to a fascinating resistance fighting native population with a unique culture that makes sense given the constraints of the world. These constraints mainly being giant worms that use vibrations to detect their prey and so the natives have adapted to mimic the vibrations of the desert to avoid often fatal detection. The worldbuilding also allows for expertly choreographed battles by incentivising armies to fight in melee through energy shields that block quick attacks and in particular projectiles.

This unique setting along with beautiful set design, the cutting edge of special effects, stunning sound design, and passionate acting combined to create an engaging, beautiful and immersive movie. I would highly recommend anyone to watch Dune in theaters while they still can regardless of their interest in the genre as it transcends traditional limitations and isn’t to be missed.

Patrick’s perspective on the book adapted into the movie:

Dune’s worldbuilding from the book surprisingly carries over well into picture format. The story was far better paced than I expected and it keeps from the meandering of the book while still being true to the source material. Certainly some characters don’t get the development that they had in the book but it’s a lot to ask to fit all that material in and the concessions made were probably for the best. 

The movie is also visually impressive with grand vista’s of Arrakis and especially an amazing scene with the Sardaukar. The Sardaukar scene epitomizes the wise approach director Denis Villeneuve has taken to visual storytelling. The scene makes it clear just how fanatical the Sardaukar are without pages of exposition, the scene is also well shot giving it even more merit. Dune has also been able to show glimpses of the Fremens culture and while it hasn’t been much I am certain that we will get more in part 2 which has recently been greenlit. The audio design was also well done with the music being fantastic with its otherworldly retro futuristic style. Furthermore the sound brought “The Voice” to life with its power shown through sound.

Dune’s story is a story of Arrakis and the movie has nailed that. The setting was built up well and while it wasn’t as exhaustive as the book it got the spirit of the world. I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys sci for fantasy and book readers should be happy with the adaptation they got.