Timothée Chalamet and Rebecca Ferguson lead an acclaimed cast in Denis Villeneuve’s spectacularly modern take on Frank Herbert’s “Dune.” Read the summary and review below and be sure to tell us your thoughts in the comments on one of the year’s biggest films.
Warning: The following article contains slight spoilers for Dune.
DUNE, one of the most highly anticipated films of 2021, follows the journey of the heir apparent Paul Atreides as he and his parents, Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac), and Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) leave their home planet Caladan for Arrakis, Dune planet. Arrakis is full of dangers, from the wild blue-eyed Freman of the desert to the political struggle between House Atreides, House Harkonnen, and the Emporer himself.
Before leaving for Arrakis, the Bene Gesserit send an elder to test Paul with the Gom Jabbar, a needle poisoned with cyanide that will kill him instantly if he tries to escape. Paul withstands the test, keeping his hand in a box that causes unbearable pain with the Gom Jabbar at his neck, and is shocked when his mother reveals she knew of the tests, and of the prophecy which he himself might fulfill.
It is said by the Bene Gesserit and the Freman that one day a man will come who will rule the universe, seeing all of the future and the past, and both factions think it could be Paul. Paul has been having visions of Arrakis and a Freman girl guiding him, and they only get stronger when he arrives on the new planet. Shortly after the family moves, Paul is attacked and almost killed in his own room, and behind the scenes House Harkonnen and the Emporer plot to destroy House Atreides once and for all.
TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET as Paul Atreides and REBECCA FERGUSON as Lady Jessica Atreides in Dune
Dr. Yeuh, the trusted family doctor, betrays House Atreides and gives the Harkonnens the access they need to infiltrate and attack Arrakis, with help from the Emporer’s elite soldiers, the Sardaukar. Paul and his mother are flown out to the desert to be left for dead, while his father dies trying to take out Baron Harkonnen and as many of his followers as he can. Trying to survive, Paul and his mother run from monstrous sandworms and navigate their way through an unfamiliar desert before the Freman come across them.
ZENDAYA as Chani in Dune
In the group of Freman, Paul spots the girl in his visions, (in which the spice has increased) and they are instantly drawn to each other. His mother in an effort to protect him, threatens Stilgar, the leader of the Freman, and defeats him. This prompts Jamis, another Freman, to question Stilgar’s leadership and antagonize Paul into a duel to the death.
Paul, who has never killed before, defeats and kills Jamis and wins the Freman’s begrudging respect. As they travel with the Freman to a safer place, Paul eye’s are opened to the possibilities of Arrakis and of the Fremans’ power, as he sees a man riding a sandworm through the drifting Dunes.
Celebrity Myxer Critic’s Review
Having read the book, I am happily surprised at how true to the spirit of Frank Herbert’s novel the first part of the movie seems. Though some things were left out, in the interest of time and pacing, the events that made it into the movie, and the subtle nods to things that were perhaps not fully addressed are appreciated.
While some might critique the marketing method of using Zendaya’s image as the basis for almost every poster, trailer, and teaser released for the film, when her character receives maybe 8-12 minutes of non-flashback screentime; I think her narration of the political distrust and climate between the Freman and the “owners” of Arrakis provided necessary information without holding up the plot of the film. Plus, she’s gorgeous and we wish her the best in all endeavors, but I digress…
At least as impressive as the expansive and stunning scenes of space travel, the withering dunes of Arrakis, and the brutal and commanding legions of the Sarduakar, was the soundtrack. The score was orchestrated and composed (and produced and written) by the legendary Hans Zimmer, and it truly (in this writer’s opinion) defines the movie.
The creeping danger of the hunter seeker in Paul’s bedroom, the terrifying maw of the sandworm, even the dreamy sequences of Paul’s visions of Chani – all are defined by music that makes you sit on the edge of your seat.
As we predicted, Dune is set to be at least two parts with the film premiering in theaters and streaming on HBO Max starting October 22nd as Part One. Critics far and wide have been raving about Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, and this writer personally has very few critiques. The movie is what all sci-fi movies should be, exciting, engrossing and an absolute blast to watch. If things continue the way they are, I’m sure Celebrity Myxer will soon have news of Dune: Part Two, so stay right here and stay myxed in!
Dune Cast
- TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET as Paul Atreides
- ZENDAYA as Chani
- REBECCA FERGUSON as Lady Jessica Atreides
- SHARON DUNCAN-BREWSTER as Liet Kynes
- JOSH BROLIN as Gurney Halleck
- JASON MOMOA as Duncan Idaho
- DAVE BAUTISTA as Rabban Harkonnen
- OSCAR ISAAC as Duke Leto
- CHARLOTTE RAMPLING as Reverend Mother Mohiam
Photo credit: Warner Bros.
