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Dune (2021)
Finally a faithful adaptation
Finally we get a genuine adaptation of an incredible book. And for once the pacing isn't catering to the short attention span of the lowest common denominator nor is it undercutting every serious emotional scene with bathos. It is a breath of fresh air! The balance of intimate character moments and awe inspiring scale is exactly how the book felt to me. The acting is superb, the visuals are mesmerizing, and there is a lot left to explore. The movie treats the audience with respect and doesn't shove exposition down our throats. I can't wait for part 2!
Denis really gets it. He clearly understands what this book is and is not. The book was a reaction and counter-narrative to the sci-if series that came before about galactic empires with clear cut heroes. I wish more was said about why there is no AI or computers in The world of Dune, because it says a lot about our time now. But perhaps part 2 will elaborate.
**spoilers ahead for the whole Dune series (specifically Paul's character arc) as well as The Godfather trilogy**
Also, I can already see the Michael Corleone-esque character arc setup for Paul which is what made me happy more than anything. Other adaptations of Dune mistakenly lean into the white savior narrative when the original intention of the story is to illustrate how we ought to be suspicious of charismatic leaders especially those who are a "savior" or "messiah." I can see how most folks miss this as well as the fact that Jessica and Paul are manipulating a system that the Bene Gesserit put in place and are basically con artists. Also, they willingly choose a path that leads to a war that kills billions because it serves their interests. Spock's/logic's "the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few" is totally swept aside for personal gain. Paul is like Michel in The Godfather because we start off identifying with and understanding why he enters the world of crime (a reaction to his father's attempted assassination), but by the end both Michael and Paul are dark and tragic characters who get corrupted by power. No one wants to be Michael by the end of his story and nor will anyone want to be Paul. Paul is not the hero of the Dune series.