Starting with this article, I will be publishing my from my other blog (The Film Brewery). Most of them were written in 2020-2021, but I will update them to reflect recent developments.
(2021) dir. Denis Villeneuve Rated: PG13
After more than a month of stalling, I was finally able to see the much-awaited adaptation of the 1965 epic in theaters (unfortunately not IMAX). It left an impression on me - at a scale of which I hadn’t experienced in a very long time. Zimmer manages to deliver a phenomenal score in Dune once again, one which is unique and yet a distinctly Zimmerian creation. The fact that he turned down Tenet with Nolan to work on this film makes me further appreciate his dedication and craft. The sweeping synth-y and bass-heavy feminine choral sound, along with the smooth surface of the incomprehensibly massive spaceship reminded me of the score of Johann Johannsson and the heptapod ships in Arrival (also a Villeneuve creation). To me, the perfectly sculpted organic shapes symbolized the sheer technological superiority and vast expansive power of the future human civilization. Zimmer seems to have utilized the chorus much more in this film compared to his earlier works, along with the repeated use of what I believe are leitmotifs for the sand dwellers. The distinct sound of the score worked well with the majorly desert setting; an orchestra-heavy score wouldn’t have worked as well. Casting Timothee Chalamet as the protagonist Paul Atreides was a surprising choice to some, as he hadn’t taken on any notable action-heavy roles up until this point. It was clear that his stunts were done by stuntpeople when the angle shifted to a longer shot and obscured his face at every point of impact. However, Chalamet still manages to exude nobility and resilience from his thin frame, which was a welcome contrast for me. Zendaya is another recent superstar cast in this film, as an inhabitant of Arrakis. Although she doesn’t utter a single word for half of the film(and only appears for a couple of minutes, to some fans' outrage), her striking blue eyes and commanding presence stakes her in the back of your mind even while the story continues. Another aspect that blew me away was the scale of the sandworms that circulate the desert of Arrakis. One scene was particularly memorable, in which the sandworm and humans are directly contrasted within the frame. I often find feelings of overwhelming marvel and astonishment evoked within myself when reading or watching certain works of science fiction; some examples are the Three-Body Problem trilogy, the ending of the novel Contact, and the visuals of Interstellar. The sandworm scene recalled the same emotions, along with wonder of how such a colossal creature could exist in this unforgiving, alien environment. In the words of Frank Herbert: “A process cannot be understood by stopping it. Understanding must move with the flow of the process, must join it and flow with it”. I felt that this also applied to the mindset in which one experiences the film itself. Like for some with 2001: A Space Odyssey, there are long periods of time in which the viewer may be bored or impatient with the progression of the story. But don’t fret; let the film be a part of your mind for the next few hours. Don't go searching for constant dramatic turns and explosions. Instead, let the story unfold on its own, Even if you aren’t a science fiction and space fanatic like me, chances are, you’ll be taken away by the beauty and grandeur of the story world like I was. The only real disappointment I felt about this film was the fact that it was only one half of a two-part series(of which the sequel is already announced). In the meantime, I’ll be reading my copy of Dune that I picked up several years ago but never found the opportunity to start. End score: 8.5/10
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