Tim McCoy

Overall, this film is exactly as expected: a fantastic escapist epic the likes of both Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. However, this film’s one failing is what most television and films of the last few years continue to fail at: delivering a satisfying ending. (Spoiler ahead) I get it: Dune is a large story, difficult to tell properly in a single film. But herein lies the trouble that Star Wars: A New Hope and Star Wars: The Force Awakens didn’t seem to struggle with at all. The first episode of both of these trilogies could stand alone while remaining open to subsequent episodes. It’s satisfying to watch the heroes blow up the Death Star even if the Sith Lord escapes. This film leaves you hanging. It ends in a place that is clearly in the middle of the story with no satisfying conclusion. It’s like a very long advertisement begging the audience to demand the sequel. Bleh! I’m tired of this form of story telling! Give me an ending that I can walk away from satisfied instead of begging for more! The truth is I will only beg for more of the story if it was satisfying! Not if it left me wanting! I’ll just turn to a story that will satisfy me! All of that aside, everything else is great! Loved the visuals, the choices made to adapt it to the big screen and even after watching the old 1984 version, I think this one was handled the author’s intent better. I just wish it had felt like an episode and not Act I of a three act story (even if that is precisely what it is.) There is always a way to tell a story that gives a definitive end. It just takes a little creativity, of which the director obviously had plenty of. Great film, poor gimmick at the end.