Dune: Stunning sci-fi film definitely worth a trip to the theater

IMAGE COURTESY WARNER BROS. PICTURES

By Tom Hanks

Dune, coming to theaters and HBO Max Oct. 22, brings the thrilling 1965 novel by Frank Herbert to life for a new generation.

Even if you have never picked up the book, it’s not hard to follow along–with many characters who evolve in more ways than one, you will be on the edge of your seat.

Taking place in the year 10,191, Dune begins when House Atreides accepts the job of caretaker of the planet Arrakis, otherwise known as Dune, at the request of the Emperor. 

Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet, a young man born to nobles, accompanies his parents, played by Oscar Isaac (Star Wars) and Rebecca Ferguson (Mission Impossible: Fallout) to Arrakis, where they plan to take control of the planet’s valuable spice-mining operation and bring peace and hope to the region.

I’d venture to call this movie a Space Age soap opera, with interstellar empires fighting for control of “The Spice,” which is an addictive substance that allows people to see the future, travel through time and space, and is a treasured commodity, like gold–as well as two subplots, which focus on the Fremen, played by Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men) and Zendaya (Spider-Man: No Way Home)–who want nothing to do with the Atreides family–even as they attempt to bring peace to their troubled world; as well as the Bene Gesserit, a key religious, political and social movement who are nothing more than glorified witches with telekinetic powers.

Meanwhile, Paul begins to have visions about Arrakis and the Fremen. 

Paul’s got a lot going on in this film: with dad teaching him to play the game of cosmic politics, mom being a witch–and a raging crush on a blue-eyed warrior (Zendaya). 

Zendaya describes playing this role as a “no-brainer.”

“You have such a dream team of people that you can work with, and I said I’d do whatever to work with these people, and I’m very grateful I had this opportunity,” she said.

While the movie was too vivid and too unpredictable to be boring, I definitely wanted more. The only thing that trips this movie up, is that it is, really, only half a movie, with even the opening credits acknowledging this, as “Dune: Part 1”– and considering its 155 minute runtime, I was hoping for more of a resolution to the story’s loose ends.

Chalamet hopes that the viewer gets something out of this film, especially those who are grappling with their identities.

“The movie’s about many things, but if young people can relate to what Chani or Paul are going through at the center of it, we really succeeded,” he said.

Between a chilling Hans Zimmer score, a Shakespearean plot and moments that make you question reality–Dune promises to be the film to welcome movie-goers back to theaters after the last year and a half of watching movies at home.

Dune drops on HBO Max on Oct. 21 and in theaters Oct. 22.