Dune: The Spice Flows

I saw Dune a couple weeks ago and I was really impressed. I liked it so much I then read the book, which I'd been meaning to do for years. Then I watched the movie again in IMAX. Now I'm reading Dune Messiah. I guess you could say I like this storyline.

The movie is really well done. If you don't like slow sci-fi movies, you might not like this. It is slow. Long beautiful panoramas of incredible sets. Great attention to detail in the costumes. It follows the book very closely. Great acting performances by the whole cast. Many were disappointed that Zendaya wasn't in it more than the ten minutes or so that she's on screen at the end. But there will be at least one more movie, and she'll feature prominently in that one.

The one disappointment I had was the box that Paul puts his hand into when he's being tested by the "old witch". It has pain in it, and his hand feels like it's being burned until his flesh falls off and leaves only bone. I understand that he's using self control techniques taught to him by his mother's Bene Gesserit teaching, but he doesn't seem to be suffering that much. I get that it's a tough balance to show that you're suffering while using techniques to control the suffering, but the whole scene is a little anticlimactic due to his apparent lack of suffering.

The scenes with the Barron are really well done. The actor who plays the Barron really makes us hate him. The scenes in which Paul and his mother (and the "old witch") use "the voice" are very effective. Creepy and awe inspiring at the same time.

Overall, I recommend seeing it. If you didn't like movies like Blade Runner, you probably won't like this one. They have a similar feel and are shot in a way that explores the beauty of the author's creation. But if you do like movies like that, you're in for a treat.

Looking forward to the second film.