I haven’t been as floored or thoroughly transported by a Science Fiction / Fantasy film series since George Lucas’ Star Wars and Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings. You could even say the Dune films are a mixture between the aforementioned adventure tales in the sense you follow individuals in a grand and complex world. My Friday’s Finest segment is usually dedicated to low budget, classic, foreign or independent films, but such is my adoration of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune and Dune 2, I felt it incumbent on me to dedicate an article to this epic saga.
IMDB Storyline:
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
Allow me to digress a moment. The best forms of art – the ones that resonate with me deeply over the years – often tend to be an ‘acquired taste.’ Whether in cinema or music, they challenge me as much as they reflect the artist’s effort to create and deliver them. This dynamic brings me to Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films, which epitomise this interplay of complexity and magnificence. These movies take their audience seriously and do not simply trap them into a cinematic odyssey but also tackles the storyline critically.
For first-time viewers, particularly those unfamiliar with Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel, the plot and intricate world-building of Dune can feel overwhelming. When I first watched Dune: Part 1 in Spanish, my second language, I left the cinema disoriented and unsure of what I had just experienced. It wasn’t until I saw Dune: Part 2 in the cinema and by reading detailed summaries of the first film as a precursor (this time in my native tongue) that I began to fully engage with the narrative and the worlds it presented.
Interestingly, Dune: Part 2 felt more accessible and allowed me to immerse myself completely. You can read more about Dune 2 in my fellow blogger friend’s review of the film – Awe Strikes Back in Dune 2 – Reely Bernie. After two additional cinema viewings, I revisited Dune: Part 1 when it aired on cable TV, and my appreciation for it grew exponentially with each rewatch. By then, I found myself as captivated by the first instalment as I had been by its sequel. Each scene feels necessary, although the film is mostly about setting the stage until the last third of the film. These films moreover, much like the best art, demand patience and effort – but the rewards are undeniably worth it.
The protagonist of the films is Paul Atreides played by Timothée Chalamet whose name has appeared here before but in connection with another film – the recent Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown. This movie which received 8 nominations for the 2025 Academy awards will not premiere in my adopted country Colombia, until the 20th of February. But, better late than never as they say. I found Timothée Chalamet’s acting in these two Dune films nothing short of alluring and radiant so of course I cannot wait to see him in A Complete Unknown which by all’n sundry has been lauded as ‘great’.
The visuals in Dune: Part 1, combined with its hauntingly beautiful sound and music, create an almost otherworldly experience. With each rewatch, I found myself getting goosebumps, marvelling at how every scene felt like it had been meticulously crafted to resemble the canvas of a master fantasy painter. The cinematography captures not just the grandeur of the desert landscapes but also the intricate interplay of light, shadow, and scale, immersing the viewer in this vast world.
I do think that over time these movies will be considered masterpieces, but it will take the cinema world a while to catch up and recognise its excellence – just like it did for me. I count myself fortunate I had the time to invest in Dune unlike what most people can manage in their busy lives. It goes without saying, I cannot recommend these films anymore highly. To elaborate even further, I think the Dune movies will win over lots of Star Wars fans, who were disappointed in the Disney Star Wars tripe in recent years. Unlike these feeble turn-outs, Dune is way more mature and has actually deep lore and captivating characters as do the original Star Wars movies.
Below, I have forwarded two scenes from the Dune 1 film: firstly the weapons training of Paul Atreides with Gurney and secondly the ‘pain test’ Paul undergoes by the reverend mother.
References:
1. Dune (2021) – Wikipedia
2. Dune – IMDB
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
Thank you for the pingback, good friend. I agree with you about the time it takes for consideration of “masterpiece.” I was only a kid when “Empire Strikes Back” came out, and although masterpiece is a subjective term, I wonder if audiences knew how much that film was going to make such a powerful impact on culture, sequel commendation, and overall appeal. I do see this happening with the Dune duo, and I always look forward to my next revisit of both films. Good to hear from you! I hope all is well! -Bernie
You are indeed welcome Reely, but it was the least I could do. I loved that review you wrote. It has so much pizzazz Haha. And the image of the massive worm couldn’t have encapsulated the magnitude and formidable nature of this movie any better.
I couldn’t agree more with your connection of ‘Empire..”s legacy and what might / should become of Dune.
All is well here, I’m happy to report. I am in the middle of vacations with each of my children to Jungle country. My eldest son Jesus has his turn next week while Katherine and I got back last Tuesday. Best fun of my life so far.
How are your lovely young family fairing? I hope Christmas and New Years brought you all tidings of great joy.
Cheers mate.
So good to hear you are enjoying some much deserved vacation and family time! I know your temperatures are the opposite end of our -4 degrees Fahrenheit! The “gals” as I call them are 2 and 4 and so much fun. They enjoy a good Disney movie from time to time, and they love playing in the snow. “Pizzazz” is what it is all about, my friend. Great to hear from you. Once the musical production is done in April (we’re doing The Little Mermaid), I look forward to more blogging time! For now, stay warm, hahaha!
The way I see it, and as you alluded – My children couldn’t have been more deserving of this vacation time. Really, although I’m biased haha.
Just reading -4 degrees brought chills to my bone. Brrrrr. At least your girls are making the most from of it.
I’m sorry to declare this, but Disney is just about banned in my household. The kids know how much I hold them in contempt and why – they didn’t even ask me if we could see Mufasa or Moana 2. They knew what my reply would be. Disney are even now through their streaming service taking away bit by bit – my beloved English football from ESPN. I f&cking hate them mate.
Good luck with the musical in April! Hurrah.
I love the unabashedly consistent stronghold you embrace regarding Disney, mate. We will have to delve deeper into where that came from, but I empathize such contempt in other places, such as the Kansas City Chiefs, the Oscars, and today’s pop music, haha!
There is so much to ponder in your comment Reely. I mean really, Reely! Hehe
Firstly, I thought my entrenched contempt for Disney was for self evident reasons, but I’m going to leave that alone for now 😉
I didn’t know you were a Buffalo fan? Or is it Denver Broncos? I saw KC win last night by the slightest of margins. I imagine you begrudgingly saw it too? The threepeat looks on.
I’ve always had a gripe with the Oscars especially after La La Land lost. But at least they have partly redeemed themselves with best movie nods to Complete Unknown and Dune 2.
I hear you..Pop Music per se especially modern is mostly trash, but I point you to my friend Christian’s blog which features a weekly New Music post. His last one was a beauty with fantastic new music. See below:
Your Disney contempt is self-evident. I just wonder when the seed was planted.
Ugh. KC. I’m a Broncos fan through and through and just nauseous at more KC-packaged dominance a la Patriots. Go Eagles! Defy the threepeat!
Thank you for the rec. I’ll check out Christian’s blog.
Have a great week, good friend. It’s a loaded one for me. Dinner seems to be the only break these days. I’m glad I’ve got some goofy daughters to share it with 😉
Best to you,
RB
My son and I sat down to watch Liverpool play Bournemouth yesterday morning on ESPN and just as the game was due to start we learn it was only being played on Disney Plus. So not only did they ‘secuestrar’ my beloved Star Wars and run that into the ground, they are now seizing one of my favourite sports.
These streaming services, man, are ruining everything I loved about sport, movies and music. What I would give to return to the days of browsing local album and DVD stores returned, where we browsed in and owned in hard copy the given piece. F&/k this digital download sh/t.
I’ll be going for the Eagles as well. I don’t know why exactly, but heck I’ve got to choose someone and now that you are on their side, that gives me as good an excuse as any.
That sure does sound busy at your end. ‘Goofy daughters’ made me laugh. You stay well and chirpy my friend.
Byes
Matt k
Most sci-fi and fantasy type movies aren’t to much my cup of tea. Given I recently saw Timothée Chalamet in “A Complete Unknown” where I thought he was excellent, I’m somewhat curious about these Dune movies. While I guess I wouldn’t spend the money to see them on the big screen, I would consider watching them on TV/via streaming.
I too wouldn’t class ‘Sci Fi and Fantasy’ high up on my genre pecking order although there’s something about the ‘Hero’s journey’ that really does it for me. Dune 1 plays on my cable service regularly, so I hope you are able to see it where you are.
I’m not into movies so much, but your writing captivates me about Dune:part 1 and part 2. They sound intriguing.
I think I will choose the book over the movie.
Thank you for sharing, Matt.
The book of course is renowned as a modern literature classic although I haven’t read it myself. It’s steeped in Sci Fi, which I hope is a genre you like.
I like science fiction. I read all genres, except poetry.🤭 I have a hard time analysing the words in poem.
I used to read often a good few years ago when I owned a E – reader Kindle, but I haven’t kept at it nearly as much as I should. I really need to get back into the habit of reading before bed. I can see why you find poems hard to analyse.
Yeah, it’s a good plan to read before bed. Its relaxing. We might bumped into the same book. Have a lovely week, Matt. Stay so kind.
Oh, man. The almighty corporation has a grasp on everything. And, I’m with you: the digital streaming entertainment industry that spits out “packages” per week not only singes our brain cells—it sucks the fun out of the old days when a stroll through a communal video store entailed measured decision making when picking a tangible novelty to enjoy with friends and family. The click of the button today is an artificial instant gratification that makes us dumber. I’m glad you and I stand up against it. I’m just sad that Disney now has control over the NFL and now the Premier League 😦
I had no idea they had also taken control of NFL viewership – unbelievable! I wish I had your eloquence and command of the English language to fully express my frustration with what’s happening. This unchecked and irrational monopolization of arts and sports by mega-corporations demands a bold and decisive countermeasure to ensure the future isn’t dictated by this artificial gratification, as you so aptly put it. Indeed, the communal, pre-digital “analogue” era is rapidly fading, giving way to a manufactured, synthetic reality.