[center][/center] [center]Directed by David Lynch, 1984[/center] [center]ORIGINAL TRAILER[/center] [left]Let me make one thing perfectly clear: David Lynch's Dune is one of my all-time favorite films. It captured my imagination from the first time I'd seen it back in 1986 when I was 7 years old. I did not fully
understand the characters or the plot at such a young age, but the sound, sights, and mystery of it all gripped me...and it still does. The mystery of the film provoked me into reading Frank Herbert's classic sci-fi novel from which it was adapted. Since I was 10, Frank Herbert's 'Dune' has reigned supreme as my single favorite novel. I encourage any reader to take a look into the original novel. It is amazingly layered and complex, which is why bringing it to the screen was so daunting, and led to flaws that even I as a fan of the film recognize.[/left] [left]This is my (rather biased) review which will be followed up with a short guide to help any non-Dune readers to understand the complexity of Dune.[/left] [center][/center] [left]Set in the very distant future of 10,191, Dune follows the journey of a young noble-born man on a path from ducal heir to the hope-giving messiah of an entire world. Paul Atreides and his family House Atreides have been charged by the Emperor to take control of the planet Arrakis after the occupation by their feudal enemies, House Harkonnen. Arrakis is of vital importance to the entire imperium as it is the sole source of Spice, the substance that gives long life to those wealthy enough to afford it, and helps transend the minds of those who use it...Guild Navigators in particular. Spoiler-light details on these factions and characters are after this review...so I will now move away from the plot.[/left] [left]Over-all Dune has some of the most amazing art-direction I've ever seen, hands down. Everything from the design of space-craft, costumes, sets, backgrounds, & etc are still unmatched after 20 years. This amazing art direction brings rich visuals and places for the characters to populate. Lynch's moody style of camera direction, lighting, over-acting, mind-enveloping sound editing and background effects suck you into the world of Dune. This ability to feel where you are and to experience a sense of place in Lynch's films makes it an amazing watch in my opinion, even after 20 years.[/left] [center][/center] [left]The sets and costumes of David Lynch's Dune are top-notch, better than Star Wars and the only modern comparison I can make is Lord of the Rings. Each set is deeply set in mood and intricate in details. The Atreides home-castle at the beginning of the film is wooden and rustic--highly organic. The Harkonnen homeworld of Geidi Prime, though exaggerated from Herbert's vision, is a dank and industrial monstrosity. But the most important sets, those of Arrakis itself, are amazing. They are highly angular, rocky, and carry and aire of danger...yet carry the subtle signs of life and civilization below them in beautiful tile-work and moody lighting.[/left] [left]The acting, much as Lynch often prefers, is highly over-acted with a powerful international cast including Max von Sydow, Patrick Stewart, Jurgen Prochnow, and Brad Dourif. The pinnacle of over-acting in this film comes from the Baron Harkonnen (Kenneth McMillan), who is over-exaggerated from the novelized character into an off-the-hinge Lynchian villain. Some do not like this over-acting or over-exaggeration of the character, but I love it. Overall, despite some weaker performances from the likes of Sting, I feel the casting is very strong, as it is with most Lynch films.[/left] [center][/center] [left]The alterations from the original novel are much more minimal than some would lead you to believe, a huge amount of detail was added in Dune's short running-time that nobody seems to pay attention to. However the biggest infraction on Herbert's novel is the alteration of the 'weirding-way' theme. The weirding way is turned into a secret technological weapon (the sound gun) of the Atreides instead of the mystical methods used by the Bene Gesserit in the novel. This distanced a lot of fans but I find it excusable. The weirding way would have been very hard to desribe to an audience without it becoming some silly space-kung-fu or Jedi-Knight rip-off. There is also an ending theme that some did not like that I will not disclose since it deals with the ending, but I will say this: I think it is great foreshadowing for the future of the story as set in the novels and adds to the spiritual theme singificantly. Other than that, all things added or changed by Lynch and his writers are either quite interesting (like the Harkonnen heart-plugs) or are very minimal and excusable.[/left] [center][/center] [left]The special effects are honestly a mixed bag. Some of the models or forced-perspective shots are of breath-taking quality--such as the ones I've tried to provide pics for. But some of the effects shots, particularly ones dealing with combat or explosions don't work as well. This stems down to the simple fact that Lynch is not an action director. And the scenes that involve the giant worms of Arrakis are hit-or-miss depending on who you are. However I feel a vast majority of the worm shots are well executed considering the limitations of technology and budget at that time. Despite the flaws, I find the battle scenes highly engrossing due to the characters, mood, and the amazing score.[/left] [center][/center] [left]The Toto/Brian Eno produced score is a one-of-a-kind. The main theme, which you her partly in the trailer I provided a link for, matches the tone and mood of the story more than any other score I've ever heard. It is supremely nerdy but I have and frequently listen to the score. Many who did not enjoy the film still really speak well of the score.[/left] [left]Overall, the directing style of David Lynch made Dune come alive. Frank Herbert himself said so when he first saw a rough cut of the film. If the author himself can see past the relatively minor plot alterations and see this, then that means something. Lynch's methodical sound editing, attention to detail, and ability to convey a dark mood matches the writen world of 'Dune' so much that I envision the Lynchian visions of Dune when I read the novels. The influence is so strong, that the authors of the recent prequel novels, including Herbert's son, implemented details and themes from Lynch's film. (On a side-note, the prequel novels are not nearly as good as the originals, but they might make for an interesting read by a Dune fan.)[/left] [center][/center] [left]Do I recommend this film for everyone? No, I certainly don't. People who are not familiar with the Dune universe have always had a hard time understanding or following the plot. If you like the novel and are a story-purist type who will throw a fit over an alteration, then you will likely really hate it. But I do encourage anybody who has not seen Dune and has at least a moderate interest in science fiction films to give this movie a shot. It is a one-of-a-kind that is likely to never be replicated. I myself see it as a flawed masterpiece of amazing work and originality.[/left] [left]9/10 :fresh: [/left] [center][/center] [left]Regarding the Extended Cut:[/left] [left]The extended cut is deeply flawed from an editing and film-making perspective. These changes were made by the studio against Lynch's will, so in a rage he had his name removed from the directorial credits. Many scenes have altered dialogue with poor voice-overs, by doing so the studio hoped to make the film more understandable, but only ended up butchering it.[/left] [left]Scenes of spacecraft are repeated and placed between scenes to convey travel...but fail to match the color-tone or mood of their respective locales or themes. Therefore the butcher-job is easy to detect.[/left] [left]And the butcher-job also throws off the the timing of key moments for the score. Crescendos do not match their visual cues, and the film loses steam on one of it's strongest assets--the amazing score.[/left] [left]I would only recommend the extended cut over Lynch's theatrical cut for casual film-goers who have no experience with Dune and don't want to go through the effort to explore or think about the plot. If you are a film buff, you will probably like the better editing of Lynch's original version.[/left] [left]The extended cut gets a: 6/10 [/left] [left]================================[/left] [left]DUNE: A Guide for the Uninitiated[/left][left]By Impavido[/left] [center][/center] [left]First off, I highly recommend the original novel...but I have written this guide for those who have not or choose not to read the book before viewing David Lynch's Dune. The book is writen on an epicly complex level that makes Lord of the Rings and 2001: A Space Odyessey look like an illustrated childrens book.[/left] [left]Due to this complexity the film is not easy to grasp, therefore here are key factions, characters, and information to help the uninitiated digest Dune. I have kept these details as spoiler-free as possible.[/left] [center]PREMISE:[/center] [left]It is now the year 10,191 and humanity has spread out into the stars in a vast empire. Earth is but a distant memory of myth and society has changed into an Imperial/Feudal system of royalty and power. Behind this power lies the planet Arrakis, which is the sole source of a mysterious organic substance known as 'Spice'. Spice, though addictive, has amazing properties of enhancing mental abilities and extending life. Due to this, the demand across the empire for spice is huge and it is the most precious substance in the universe. Whoever controls Arrakis is in a great position of power.[/left] [center]HOUSE ATREIDES[/center] [center][/center] [left]Led by the Duke Leto Atreides (center), the Atreides family is a highly respected royal house of the Landstrad. Though they lack the wealth of larger royal houses, the Atreides carry a heavy aire of respect from their near-chivalric reputation of honor and bravery. The Duke's son, Paul Atreides (left) has been trained since birth as his fathers heir.[/left] [left]The Atreides are ordered by the Emperor to take control of Arrakis. Though the Duke and his aides sense a trap, they are emboldened by the power to be gained by such a stewardship. This change of power of Arrakis infuriates the Duke's enemies, namely House Harkonnen.[/left] [center]HOUSE HARKONNEN[/center] [center][/center] [left]House Atreides and House Harkonnen have been waring and feuding for generations. The Baron Harkonnen is the diametric opposite of the noble Atreides, he is ruthless and brutal in his methods for seizing power and destroying his enemies, namely the Duke and his family.[/left] [center]EMPEROR SHADDAM IV[/center] [center][/center] [left]The Emperor of the Known Universe is the supreme military power. His legions of fanatical Sarduakar Terror Troops are rightly feared by everyone. However his power is not as supreme as one would think--just as everyone else he is subject to the whim of the Spacing Guild.[/left] [center]THE SPACING GUILD[/center] [center][/center] [left]The Spacing Guild holds a monopoly on that which holds the Imperium and civilization together--space travel. Only a Guild Navigator (pictured in the tank above) has the ability to propel space-craft through space with his mental powers. A Guild Navigator used to be human, but has mutated due to massive quantities of Spice. With this mutation and ability to travel the stars with the power of their mind, Navigators are also capable of glimpsing the future.[/left] [center]THE BENE GESSERIT SISTERHOOD[/center] [center][/center] [left]The Bene Gesserit are a religious sisterhood that provides concubine and truth-saying services to the great houses of the Landstrad, including the Emperor. Paul Atreides' own mother, Jessica, is a member of the sisterhood. The Bene Gesserit have manipulated the mairages and blood-lines of royalty for hundreds of years secretly. The secret goal of this genetics program is to produce the Kwisatz Haderach--a legendary male Bene Gesserit, with which they could control the universe. Many do not trust the Bene Gesserit for good reason, they are trained in powers including mind-control and mind-reading. Their ability to control their own bodies is so refined that they can determine the sex of a fetus in their womb, which helps guide their breeding program.[/left] [center]THE FREMEN[/center] [center][/center] [left]The Fremen are the tribal inhabitants of Arrakis. Long hunted and brutally persecuted by the Harkonnens, their distrust of the outside world is justified.[/left] [center]MENTATS[/center] [center][/center] [left]Mentats are less so of a faction and more of a character-type. As computers have been outlawed for thousands of years--humanity barely survived an AI rebellion--Mentats are specialy bred and trained human computers. They are capable of making advanced calculations and extrapalations with their mind. Piter Devries (pictured above) is the Mentat in service to the Baron Harkonnen.[/left] [left]These are the basic details that I think will help the uninitiated enjoy Dune. If you have any questions, you can ask me anytime!!![/left]
April 14, 2007
