Dune

For decades, the classic sci-fi novel written by Frank Herbert was thought to be unfilmable, yet this modern adaptation finally translates its complexity into an achievement deserving of the big screen. Besides just having gorgeous sets and costumes rich with details about the science fiction world’s history, Dune is also a monstrous achievement in what the film crew did on-location in numerous deserts. With all they had to manage, it’s miraculous how they also were able to give it an otherworldly artistic look that isn’t like any other blockbuster, as accomplished with special effects techniques no other movie before then has used. Rather than the traditional green screens for the special effects shots, the crew used “sand screens,” which were a light beige color rather than the traditional green, that way, no reflective surfaces on set would accidentally pick up any green tint.

​To double on the immersive power of this motion picture epic, Hans Zimmer’s musical score uses instruments that sound like they came from another galaxy—full of impending doom and a frightened sense of smallness. While it’s not the type of movie anyone should think too hard about (or else the plot holes, clunky dialogue, and wooden acting will become a distraction), it’s still worth seeing once to understand what other big-budget filmmakers in the future now must live up to in order to keep their audiences satisfied.

PG-13 (LV)
Sci-fi/Action
2 hr. 35 min.

Watch it for FUN.
Watch it to feel AFRAID.