Let’s face it Dune is a film that many of us have been dying to see on the big screen and finally, after its delay from 2020 the film has arrived at cinemas and I checked out Dune in IMAX at my local Cineworld IMAX for my review of the film that has blown me away!
You may have heard people saying that Dune needs to be seen in the cinema and even Oscar nominee Denis Villeneuve (“Arrival,” “Blade Runner 2049”) has said that the Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ big-screen adaptation of Frank Herbert’s seminal bestseller of the same name needs to be seen on the biggest screen possible and I would have to agree.
A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, “Dune” tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential—only those who can conquer their fear will survive.
Back in 1984 after reading the novel by Frank Herbert, I was introduced to the movie which was directed by David Lynch, the 80s movie is known for being slightly hard to understand and does have its flaws, but with Villeneuve taking the helm of this latest incarnation of a story that once you get into it you are gripped, I couldn’t wait to see how his visual style and direction would take the movie and I really wasn’t disappointed.
This new version of Dune is one that we have been waiting for, the cast which includes Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet (“Call Me by Your Name,” “Little Women”), Rebecca Ferguson (“Stephen King’s Doctor Sleep,” “Mission: Impossible – Fallout”), Oscar Isaac (the “Star Wars” franchise) Oscar nominee Josh Brolin (“Milk,” “Avengers: Infinity War”), Stellan Skarsgard (HBO’s “Chernobyl,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron”), Dave Bautista (the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, “Avengers: Endgame”), Stephen McKinley Henderson (“Fences,” “Lady Bird”), Zendaya (“Spider-Man: Homecoming,” HBO’s “Euphoria”), Chang Chen (“Mr. Long,” “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”), David Dastmalchian (“Blade Runner 2049,” “The Dark Knight”), Sharon Duncan-Brewster (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” Netflix’s “Sex Education”), with Oscar nominee Charlotte Rampling (“45 Years,” “Assassin’s Creed”), with Jason Momoa (“Aquaman,” HBO’s “Game of Thrones”), and Oscar winner Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men,” “Skyfall”) is one of the best collection of cast that I have seen in a film for year and they all have memorable moments that stick with you after leaving the cinema.
Chalamet bring Paul to life on the screen and his good boyish looks certainly work for the role, I really enjoyed Furguson as his mother, a rather unrecognisable Skarsgard not only looks amazing but sound great as well and of course let’s not forget Zendaya and Momoa who are enjoyable to watch.
Confusing? Not Really
One thing that people say about Dune is that it may be confusing or even slow, but I have to say that this version of the film so nicely brought the screen and it flows beautifully, there really aren’t many moments that slow down as it keeps you interested in all that is going on during the 2h 35min run time that flies by, but unlike Dune 1984 the full story is not crammed into the run time, we are given this clue as soon as the title of the film is faded up onto the IMAX screen as we notice “Part One” on the screen, so much as Warner Bros. Pictures did with IT we are expecting a Dune Part Two.
There is no official news of the next film, but Denis Villeneuve has said he is working on the script, so keeping our fingers crossed hoping we will get Part Two in 2023.
But for now, I would recommend seeing Dune in IMAX, as I mentioned earlier it is visually stunning and the bigger the screen you can watch it in the better.
The IMAX Experience
Dune in IMAX is absolutely stunning, it’s not very often that a film comes along that ticks all the boxes for me, but this is one of those films. The cinematography is amazing and is a visual treat in IMAX and with over an hour of IMAX exclusive expanded aspect ratio, it just pulls you into the world of “Spice” and the upcoming battle for Arrakis.
Add to the mix of the next generation IMAX precision sound, we are taken on a truly spectacular and immersive experience of cinematic joy. Villeneuve has used the IMAX expanded aspect ratio with perfection as the screen swaps back and forth for moments that need to pull you into the amazing landscapes, the dryness and the expanse of Arrakis and some truly amazing sequences during some of the set action sequences with the 26% more picture.
The sound in Dune in IMAX is outstanding, it’s crystal clear and certainly booms out the power when it comes to explosions and background noise that keeps you pulled into the world you have entered while watching the film.
When it comes to the soundtrack it is perfectly matched to the cinematic content, Hans Zimmer has really pulled out the stops for this one, a small sound system really won’t do it justice as the soundtrack pounds out with emotion and power for Dune, throw in the IMAX sound system and you will feel the intensity of the drums through the seats along with bass rumbles. This is now one of my favourite Zimmer soundtracks.
Dune is in Cinemas now. Not got a Cineworld Unlimited Card, you can now get a three month trial for as little as £9.99 per month and if you want a month free then use the code RAF-98ZT-02KX-63MR-75NH and we will both get a month free. Find out more on the Cineworld website.
Visually Stunning from Start to Finish
Movie title: Dune (2021)
Movie description: Feature adaptation of Frank Herbert's science fiction novel, about the son of a noble family entrusted with the protection of the most valuable asset and most vital element in the galaxy.
Date published: October 22, 2021
Country: UK
Duration: 2h 35min
Director(s): Denis Villeneuve
Actor(s): Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Summary
This new adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel is a stunning film, the IMAX format is certainly the best way to see the movie for all its cinematic delights.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
