Joe Geoghegan

Having gone to the movie theater for the first time in what felt like forever, I had to watch Dune on the biggest screen to capture those elements that seem inconceivably large in the books. The characters are well-created, with an unknown element constantly lingering behind every scene that kept you asking questions and motives to every character. The star-studded cast shines in each of their own unique ways in the movie, although some are less prevalent than you would initially suggest. The cinematography, effects, and overall world-building left a sense of awe that I haven’t felt since watching Star Wars for the first time. Not comparing this film to that trilogy however, as that would be comparing apples to oranges. However, I would highly recommend reading the books or delving into the background of the series itself; there is a nuanced approach to each scene and character that points to much of the history and lore of their world. While Dennis Villenueve does a fantastic job of setting the scene for the viewer, he doesn’t spoon feed you information either but instead assumes you have a familiarity already with the construct of their universe and its complexities. Overall, I would recommend this movie to anyone who wants to see a fresh change from the normalcy, the departure of complacency in Hollywood in the form of sequels and half-made ideas. Dune never holds your hand, but nonetheless will take you on a cinematic journey that leaves an impression long after the credits show.