Watched it. Really enjoyed it. Looking forward to Part 2 (and whatever may come after that). I went in with low expectations and I think this made the watch all the more enjoyable. Having watched Lynch's in my early teens, and not quite appreciating (all of) it, Villeneuve's felt more cohesive and watchable. Perhaps an age thing or perhaps a better match to me - either way, it felt like a 'better' telling of Dune imho.
I saw Dune Part 2 last night and really enjoyed it. I can't say how it would go for a dyed-in-the-wool Dune fan. I've read through the books once, and seen both the Lynch movie and the TV series. I like these recent Dune films more, but that's me. The cinematography is so beautiful, and I like the production design of the different cultures. The scenes on Geidi Prime are weird and wonderful. Holy shit that place is fucked up. Javier Bardem as Stilgar was actually the standout performance for me. Maybe because he seems to be the most human and relatable, and funny! Dune is a story about power, and people involved in that kind of game are hard for me to relate to. So I guess Stilgar is my guy, except I'm not looking for any prophecies to be fulfilled.* Actually caught the Lynch film in the theater in the last couple months. Alamo Drafthouse did a screening at my local. I have to say I do not need to see the camp version of Dune again. But I think I will re-watch the new films. * Save for the prophecy that all Marmit Parababies will be mine! HAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!
Yeah, I loved the books but ive never been one of those people that gets annoyed when filmmakers change stuff. You have to go with the flow, and it doesn’t always work, what they do can be disappointing. I really liked the first one, so I'm pretty damn confident I'm going to enjoy this one. Definitely gonna be a cinema experience.
I need to catch up on the discussion but no spoilers: I felt the second one was very good, better than the first, overall I would give these two an A+ as a pair of generic sci-fi action movies, but as an adaptation of the novel they get a B- for the liberties taken. Definitely worth seeing on the big screen though.
Dune II was a beautiful scifi film. But, it skips over how truly bizarre and psychedelic the books are.
After letting the experience sit for a couple of weeks, I stick by my initial assessment: fun movies, but missing the mark as adaptations. What they did get right was Paul's metamorphosis from royal kid to Space Hitler, and I give them kudos for having the guts to do that. Their biggest failure was just telling the audience that the spice is important in a couple of throwaway lines and not showing them how it was important. The latest episode of Dana Gould's podcast has an interview with the author of this book: https://www.1984publishing.com/bookstore/a-masterpiece-in-disarray-david-lynchs-dune-an-oral-history I just got my copy and it seems incredibly comprehensive, 500+ pages and he interviews everybody, even Lynch himself. I also learned about this from the interview, had no idea about this turn of events: https://dunenewsnet.com/2023/08/arthur-p-jacobs-unmade-dune-movie-history/
The biggest missed opportunity was making a sandworm toy. McFarlane didn't make a toy of the new one, and Super7 didn't do a scaled-down version of the LJN one. I can't believe everybody missed the boat on this.
I streamed Dune 1 a few weeks ago in preparation for the sequel. It was transporting: the acting, sets, costumes etc were fresh, magnificent. I was there with them, and thoroughly thought it was an example of the best Hollywood can offer. Dune 2 I saw in a theater last week and I thought it was cute and nice at best. Could have been the flu that was brewing, I don't know. I'll give it a second chance on streaming maybe. Way less excited for the coming sequels now. Hate the changes they made from the book. (Haven't read it, going by reviews.) The Lego set looks great.
I've read the books multiple times, but a long time ago, so I think that helps me to enjoy these modern adaptations without focusing on the differences. I'm glad I saw the new one in the cinema, I liked it a lot.
The story beats reminded me too much of Star Wars and Game of Thrones, like they were calculated to appeal to those audiences. Toning down the wilder elements of the source material seemingly supported that interpretation. It was basic, mostly easy to digest. The reception of this one is way better than the first, so they know what they're doing. I was probably just expecting too much. Like some new revelations in design elements or storylines or something. It was just more of the same. Happy so many liked it lol.
You know that both Star Wars and Game of Thrones borrowed heavily from Dune, right? The novel came out in 1966.
I wasn't pulling an April fools, I was dead serious!!! Yeah I know it predates those properties, but Their narratives are the pop culture reference one thinks of by default because of their cultural dominance. Or at least I do. It's just unfortunate, makes it feel less fresh and original to me.
