Dune 2021 is a visual masterpiece which does a terrific job at building the story but may deter some viewers with its slow burn approach. Check out the details in my parents guide movie review.
Dune 2021 is dropping in theaters, as well as streaming on HBO Max, Friday October 22nd. The film is based on Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel of the same name and had previously been made into a film back in 1984, starring Kyle MacLachlan and Sting. Denis Villeneuve has taken on the remake of the classic in a two-part film which sticks closer to the classic novel while incorporating stunning visuals and a score that will send chills down your spine. Check out the details in my parents guide movie review.
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Dune Movie Quotes
Dune Parents Guide 2021
In the year 10191, a spice called melange is the most valuable substance known in the universe, and its only source is the desert planet Arrakis. A royal decree awards Arrakis to Duke Leto Atreides and ousts his bitter enemies, the Harkonnens. However, when the Harkonnens violently seize back their fiefdom, it is up to Paul (Timothee Chalamet), Leto’s son, to lead the Fremen, the natives of Arrakis, in a battle for control of the planet and its spice. Based on Frank Herbert’s epic novel.
Dune Age Appropriate Parents Guide
Lets take a look at what parents need to know before letting their kids watch Dune.
Language: The language in Dune 2021 is pretty mild, however it does contain a bit of profanity. Lookout words include: a**, d*mn and hell.
Mature Content: The biggest lookout for parents in Dune movie is the violence the film contains. Viewers will see hand to hand combat, explosions, guns, torture, bloody deaths, poisoning, and more. There is one kissing scene but no sexual content. There are two scenes which show partial nudity but only from the side and no genitals/breasts/butt shots are shown on camera.
Overall Thoughts
Dune 2021 is a cinematic experience which will immerse audiences into a stunning futuristic world and have them in awe of its beauty and grandeur. Cinematographer Greg Fraser delivers a work of art with minimal CGI effects and meticulously orchestrated shots. The costumes and scenery take on a neutral organic color which could have easily looked clownish but instead feels authentic to the story. Although it will simultaneously be released on HBO Max, I promise you it will be worth a trip to the theater. Without a doubt this film deserves to be seen on the big screen.
The skillful score of Hans Zimmer paired with the splendid visuals makes for a mesmerizing experience watching this film. Zimmer had to pass up working with frequent collaborator Christopher Nolan on TENET because of his work on Dune. This is an interesting tidbit because I was reminded of TENET many times while watching this film, particularly in the sound editing. One big complaint many had with TENET was the fact that the musical score and background noises drown out much of the film’s dialogue, and I found this same problem creeping into Dune. While this was not such an overwhelming problem as it was for TENET, maybe due to Dune being lighter on dialogue, it was still frustrating at times trying to make out what the characters were saying.
Dune 2021 has an incredible cast which includes Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Oscar Isaac, Dave Bautista, David Dastmalchian and of course my boyfriend, Jason Momoa. The cast not only embodied the look of their characters but also gave stellar performances and meshed well together on-screen. Chalamet and Ferguson in particular had great chemistry together as mother and son, delivering a genuine and natural portrayal of Paul and Lady Jessica. My favorite had to be Stellan Skarsgård who plays Vladimir Harkonnen. Comically, his look resembles Austin Power’s Fat Bastard, but the wickedness he portrays will send chills down viewers spines.
My biggest complaint with Dune 2021 was the slow-paced tone of the film. Running at a little over 2 hours and 30 minutes, I definitely felt the length of the film. In saying this, I realize this is only part one of the story and I appreciate the attention to detail and closer adherence to the book versus the 1984 Dune, but I also remember how long that movie felt at the time. Knowing the 2nd part of this adaptation will likely be as long, if not longer than the 1st, doesn’t make me eager for its release. I might need a couple years before I am ready to make that commitment, although if the next one takes into account the plodding pace of its predecessor and gives us a veritable tour de force, it will definitely make up for it.
