‘Dune’: An incomplete masterpiece

A masterful fantasy that stings us with its lack of finality

When The Fellowship of the Ring premiered in December 2001, its technical mastery and confident world-building ushered us into a bold new vision of what fantasy storytelling could accomplish. With a world so foreign to our own, so rich, lush, awe-inspiring, and palpable, one couldn’t be blamed for getting lost in its lifelike world. It has since served as the bedrock on which fantasy cinema began to be perceived as prestige entertainment.

Viewing Denis Villeneuve’s Dune in a crowded IMAX theatre brought back those same feelings, making me realize that the defining fantasy epic of this generation is here. It becomes impossible to think of anything else as you slowly leave the dark halls of the auditorium where you just experienced this grandiose spectacle. The sheer majesty of Dune is quite something to behold. It quickly becomes clear that you’re witnessing the unfathomable, yet with its opulent landscapes it comes across as a world that seems impossible to fake, as it must be out there, suspended in time, waiting for us to explore. Villeneuve and company have crafted something that is profoundly absorbing, making it so utterly painful when it ends unresolved.

Adapted from Frank Herbert’s novel, Dune takes place in the distant future where humanity lives in a galactic empire where noble houses make up the ruling class. Among these noble houses are the Atreides who by royal decree have been given stewardship of the planet Arrakis, which contains the only known source of “spice,” an apparent hallucinogenic drug that is the most sought-after resource in the universe. Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), son of Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac), keeps seeing visions of Arrakis even though he hasn’t been there. His mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), an acolyte of the “Bene Gesserit” religion, believes this to be a sign that he is a messiah that will lead Bene Gesserit to greater power.

This doesn’t even scratch the surface of the tale this film attempts to tell, making Villeneuve’s choice to bisect this story understandable. Yes, Dune is the first of a planned two-part adaptation, which is made abundantly clear in the opening credits where Villeneuve boldly displays the title as “Dune: Part One.” Yet, while a second film is in the works, it’s still a shame that all of the laurels of this breathtaking experience are entirely contingent on the quality of the second part. Dune is undoubtedly a film that will be defined by that second instalment which unfortunately limits the emotional impact of the story that currently graces our screens. The experience is an exercise in delayed gratification as the enchanting narrative it builds ends abruptly, leaving us in a state of immediate withdrawal, wanting more. While we must wait for the second film to fulfill our satisfaction, the sting of this incomplete story isn’t as brutal due to the nature of its outstanding stature.

Villeneuve has arguably crafted the most seamless integration of computer-generated imagery and live action that has ever been put on film. He never fails to surround his subjects with the enormous constructs of this fantasy world, instilling a sense of scale that not only envelops the characters, but the audience as well. The sheer size of this world alone is worth the price of the ticket as it creates an experience that is wholly profound in its near tangibility. Villeneuve’s impeccable direction is emboldened by the film’s hypnotising sound design and score. At times, it’s difficult to parse out when the score begins and ends as it is effortlessly interwoven with the film’s soundscape. This further bolsters the all-encompassing scope of the film, as no sense is left unengaged by the sheer breadth and depth of the events unfolding on screen.

Given the absolute enormity of the film, it’s surprising how notable the performances are. Chalamet nails the inner turmoil, distant nature, and innate prowess of Paul, as he delivers each facet of his performance with a full range of emotions. Isaac radiates the stoicism and wisdom of Duke Leto while Rebecca Ferguson embodies Lady Jessica with the type of confidence that makes the audience take note of her raw power. Jason Momoa, Josh Brolin, Zendaya, Javier Bardem, Stellan Skarsgård, and Dave Bautista round out this A-list cast and make the sweeping world of Dune feel that much more lived-in and alluring.

Dune is the quintessential fantasy epic of our times. Missing this on IMAX would be a grave mistake. It’s an experience that begs for repeated viewings as it invites you to continually enter its sweeping and majestic landscapes. It’s a significant piece of filmmaking that will sadly and undoubtedly be judged on the merits of its eventual continuation. But as incomplete as it is, it imbues a sense of pleasure in the viewer that many films with definitive endings can’t.

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