Denis Villeneuve’s Dune

breezy1985 · 30-10-2021 7:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118095340#Comment_118095340

I see 3D as a gimmick. Fine for a slasher horror or kids movie but not for anything where the story should come first

johnny_ultimate · 30-10-2021 7:48pm

The death of 3D is one of the few good things to happen to mainstream cinema in the last 10 years. Surprised this even has a 3D version tbh.

Effects · 30-10-2021 7:50pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118089498#Comment_118089498

I went to see it in the 4DX version. It was a bit of fun. A lot of effects that add to the feel of what's happening on screen. And a couple for extra effects in the chair that I wasn't expecting.

But having it in 3D is a bit of a waste in my opinion. I also watched it in 4K at home and I preferred the picture quality.

Arghus · 30-10-2021 7:59pm

Visually spectacular, refreshingly grown up, unusually esoteric -

But it bored the arse off me.

For all of its qualities, I didn't really enjoy it and found it particularly hard to care about anything happening on screen.

Slydice · 30-10-2021 8:31pm

I think Marvels Eternals is opening on the Big Screens on Friday coming.

So probably just 5 days left to check this film out in the biggest screens if anyone was thinking of waiting a bit.

After Friday, it'll probably be Eternals for a while and then other films after.

breezy1985 · 30-10-2021 8:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118095637#Comment_118095637

Didn't realize it was so soon. I remember a lot of talk when the cast was announced but it went pretty dead after that (especially by Marvel standards) unless I am just looking in the wrong places.

Post Endgame stuff not involving the big characters just feels like those reformed bands minus "dead guys" to me

Thargor · 30-10-2021 9:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118090850#Comment_118090850

Saw it in the same place, that Maxx screen is not a bad theatre at all tbh, pretty spectacular actually, Row E gives unlimited legroom at perfect distance, couldn't fault the screen or sound, very happy to have that as my new local for future blockbusters. It wa a bit cold though, I put my jacket back on half way through.

mrcheez · 30-10-2021 10:06pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118095502#Comment_118095502

Interesting.. I've never been to a 4DX so curious what it's like. Do you get sprayed with water, or is it just like air blowing on you etc?

I didn't even know there was a 3D option, but based on how spectacular Villeneuve's other 3D outing was in Blade Runner 2049 I'm intrigued

The 3D rendition does seem to rate well on cinemablend: https://www.cinemablend.com/3d/to-3d-or-not-to-3d-buy-the-right-dune-ticket

Beechwoodspark · 31-10-2021 12:11pm

for what it’s worth whatsapp from friend who saw it last night - they are prob the biggest movie fan I would know btw

“weak plot. Shallow characters. boring aul slog of a movie.”

cnocbui · 31-10-2021 1:09pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118091368#Comment_118091368

The Science fiction authors of his generation were extraordinary. Robert Heinlein seemed to have some doubts about the Cold War picture being spun about Russia and it's capabilities, so he went there on 'holiday' to see for himself, where he travelled widely, observed and did some back of the envelope calculations to conclude that the CIA were lying and exagerating. It's been a while since I read the account, but I seem to recall he concluded the population of Russia was significantly less than the US was being told by the liars in charge, at the time. He was of course right.

mrcheez · 31-10-2021 1:10pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118097265#Comment_118097265

I'll trust your mate over Mark Kermode!

cnocbui · 31-10-2021 1:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118097265#Comment_118097265

Some people only like and read comics, some people like books with a thousand plus pages of dense print to them.

pixelburp · 31-10-2021 1:43pm

Maybe already mentioned earlier but one slight pause of concern with the sequel: while the release has been advertised as Oct 20, 2023 ... Shooting won't begin til autumn 2022.

That's a pretty tight turnaround and even Villeneuve seems a little anxious, via a recent interview; he does make the point that much of the preproduction is already done, so maybe that'll count a lot for reducing the stress and pressure.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/dune-2-denis-villeneuve-part-two-1235038791/

Beechwoodspark · 31-10-2021 2:05pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118095532#Comment_118095532

Friend who watched it last night had similar opinion to this

johnny_ultimate · 31-10-2021 2:31pm

I have a personal rule to avoid using the words ‘bored’ or ‘boring’ when talking about film. I think it’s too often used as a shortcut to getting at why a film didn’t work, or to lazily dismiss slower paced films.

So let me tell you I really mean it when I say I was bored by the last hour of Dune in particular 😅 I genuinely found it to be some seriously lifeless, joyless, passionless filmmaking, one or two memorable images aside. It doesn’t even IMO have the sheer sense of scale and awe that carries the opening hour or so.

Sad Professor · 31-10-2021 3:14pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118097618#Comment_118097618

Yeah I don't think Oct 2023 is going to happen. Maybe if they start shooting July and finish in November then Dec 2023 would be possibility, but if shooting doesn't begin until Sept/Oct as Villeneuve implies then it will probably be summer 2024 at the earliest. The studio is probably pressuring Villeneuve to start shooting early summer but if they wanted to meet that release date they should have green-lit it earlier.

ixoy · 31-10-2021 3:56pm

Being a big fan of the book (it's where this username comes from), it felt like it envisaged the worlds I in my head and I really enjoyed it. I knew structurally where the break/film's end had to be and I can see how that sort of break can be unsatisfying as there's no proper pay off (yet). The OH then, unfamiliar with the book, was a bit bored and I see how that can happen too. I'd be curious to see if fans of the book enjoyed it more than those unfamiliar with it.

Effects · 31-10-2021 6:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118095989#Comment_118095989

You get sprayed with water, but not a massive amount that would leave you soaked. There is a button to turn this part off.

There's smoke that comes from front of screen, and fans along the tops of the side walls, as well as strobes.

The seats have air jets, and pressure points.

The seats also tilt forward, back and side to side.

pixelburp · 31-10-2021 7:10pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118098003#Comment_118098003

Yeah, I wonder is there some horse trading at play we don't see. The studio maybe using the unreasonable release date to pull the budget back (in exchange for a kinder timeline). I try to just assume any given studio is always angling at something aimed at the bottom line; actually, have WB hinted how this has done ok HBO Max? Either way I hope Villeneuve is given the time and money he needs.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118098677#Comment_118098677

4DX sounds absolutely horrendous and if ever there was a contention blockbusters had become theme park rides, it's gimmicks like this (though to be fair Hollywood has always had sensory fads; smellovision and the like). It'd be nice if cinemas just had breathable air (the Santry IMC had us sitting through Dune with no Aircon).

youngblood · 31-10-2021 7:39pm

If your in the mood for a dusty/sandy version of game of thrones kinda set in the future with jarring longshots and banging noises with bagpipe overtures but set at a glacial place with a sudden unsatisfactory ending, this is the movie for you!

Effects · 31-10-2021 9:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118098853#Comment_118098853

Yeah, it's a gimmick alright. But it works under certain circumstances.

I couldn't resist, and had watched the first 15 minutes at home. And it looked much better on my screen at home, compared to 3D in the cinema.

And I'm still going to see a proper 2D version of it in the cinema though.

mrcheez · 31-10-2021 9:25pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118098677#Comment_118098677

I'd imagine the water spray doesn't play well with the glasses! I'm actually curious to try it, but would prefer the 3D without the 4DX if they had that!

I'll prob get the 3D BluRay after which will always look amazing in the VR headset (or my 55" 3D TV... for as long as that lasts!)

breezy1985 · 31-10-2021 9:30pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118099361#Comment_118099361

Will be interesting to see the sietch orgy in 4DX 😜

johnny_ultimate · 31-10-2021 10:00pm

I remember the days when 4D was the underwhelming thing you went to at Disneyland when the queues for the good rides were too long.

pjcb · 31-10-2021 11:42pm

isn't Lady Jessica supposed to be supretrained but doesn't learn about Arrakis?

could he not just incapacitated that guy?

Tar.Aldarion · 01-11-2021 12:09am

Liked my friends review today:

We will need you to explain the plot to us coz we didnt get a thing

But we really enjoyed it

I jsut thought it looked so cool, the costuming was another level

And the bad guys were the most scary bad guys

Like that fat guy when he levitated

And the grandmother

And the hans zimmer music

It could not be more cool that movie

Housefree · 01-11-2021 2:03am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118099510#Comment_118099510

That's what it is in Tayto Park

McFly85 · 01-11-2021 8:59am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118098853#Comment_118098853

4DX is enjoyable for the right film, where it’s as much about spectacle as anything else. Saw Infinity War/Endgame in it and thought it was fun. There was a bit in IW where the camera sweeps over a battlefield and your seat is moving in a way that makes you feel like you’re moving with it which was cool, it felt exactly like the old back to the future theme park ride.

But obviously it’s only good for a small list of films, I couldn’t imagine sitting there getting sprayed by water just after Andy Dufresne escaped Shawshank :D

McFly85 · 01-11-2021 9:12am

Saw it over the weekend in the cinema, have to say I enjoyed it, but I think moreso for the spectacle than anything else - it was fun to see Villeneuves vision of Arrakis.

Plot-wise it felt relatively generic, but I suspect that’s because so much other sci-fi over the years have been inspired by or lifted bits out of it.

I did think the film had weak characterisation. I don’t like Chalamet anyway, to me he plays the same guy in everything I’ve seen him in and there was no difference here. Same with Jason Momoa, and Isaac seemed to be nothing more than a nice guy, whereas I thought he was supposed to be some sort of master strategist.

Dune I think would probably be better done through a HBO series than a film. More time for world and character building, you probably wouldn’t get the same epic scale as the first half of the film but you’d end up with a better package overall.

kerplun k · 01-11-2021 4:11pm

This was the one film I was looking forward to seeing in cinemas, and while I didn’t go to a packed out theatre, it was still amazing to see on the big screen.

while it didn’t quite hit the heights of blade runner, it was still epic. Given the dense source material, I thought Villeneuve did an amazing job of telling a lucid story. The one gripe I did have was how it ended. It seemed to end as if the second part of the story was just beginning, and just felt a little off.

In any case, I’m delighted part 2 has been green-lit, and if Villeneuve can stick the landing with part 2, this will be the definitive version of Dune and will go down as a classic.

Im in no doubt that this will grow on audiences over time.

Beechwoodspark · 01-11-2021 4:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118098950#Comment_118098950

I think you just won this thread 😅

MisterAnarchy · 01-11-2021 4:29pm

Watched this last night.

As others have said its technically very well made.

Very little cgi, real sets where possible, good cinematography and good acting.

It could have done with heavier exposition to introduce the different factions/families, the emperor and stuff like the guild, space travel etc.

Even a couple of 5 minute voiceovers or flashbacks would have been beneficial. I think alot of non book readers would be confused.

Negatives: I'm usually a fan of Zimmer but I didnt like the soundtrack in this.

Not enough variety, overbearing and didnt build the suspense enough.

That Wonder Woman shout song is really annoying too.

The sound mix of the HBO 5.1 soundtrack is very poor. The dialogue is way too low and the special effects are overpowering. Even with the centre channel boosted and a few other tweaks the dialogue was hard to decipher at points.

I've discussed this issue with modern films in other threads on here but this was a pretty poor mix.

I enjoyed the film but it left me a little bit disappointed, as if something was lacking.

Probably better suited to a 10 part series than 2 films as so much has to be cut.

odyssey06 · 01-11-2021 6:03pm

Waterford Whispers take on it...

Local Man Not Sure If He Liked Dune But Doesn’t Want To Look Like An Idiot

https://waterfordwhispersnews.com/2021/10/28/local-man-not-sure-if-he-liked-dune-but-doesnt-want-to-look-like-an-idiot/

breezy1985 · 01-11-2021 6:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118103055#Comment_118103055

That's pretty good especially the "batsht old book" or the "‘a nice change of pace from all that noisy Marvel shite" which feels like it was ripped straight from this thread

Slydice · 01-11-2021 10:35pm

Final week of big screen showings..

Atreides!!! Atreides!!! Atreides!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwZ1F0TeSLU

No call unanswered, No faith betrayed. Here they were, Here they remain.

pixelburp · 02-11-2021 8:32am

I know it's a marmite instrument at the best of times, but the bagpipes were a surreal, spine-chilling moment. Though my hardcore Dune friend was annoyed it wasn't a basinet from the book 😆

Nerdlingr · 02-11-2021 3:35pm

Went to see it last night. Loved it! Didn't seem to drag at all for me. I've sat through 90 minute films in the past that seemed to never end, could easily have sat through another hour or two of this !!

Only complaint was the muffed dialogue in many scenes. Found it hard to make out exactly whet was being said. Bagpipes blared over thufir hawat at one stage and Paul's dream revelation in the tent with his mother was hard to understand. unless you read the books i don't think you would have quite got the impact of what he was seeing/implying.

jj880 · 02-11-2021 3:37pm

I thought it was an amazing movie. I didnt know the story from the original from the 80s.

After how the ending went I enjoyed it even more watching it a 2nd time. Picking up on lots of things I didnt really notice on the 1st viewing.

I can see how some found it lagging in places but I thought it was great. Cant wait for part two.

pjcb · 02-11-2021 10:47pm

are these guys in the movie trying to 'play 3d chess' with each other? the level risk/sacrifice involved in their strategies.

Need a Username · 03-11-2021 12:05am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118095532#Comment_118095532

What was grown up and esoteric about it ?

Bar the few minutes where the Duke was paralysed and naked it was very much an action adventure suitable for most of the family and it was clearly aimed at as wide an audience as possible - I expected weird and esoteric myself but it wasn’t.

Need a Username · 03-11-2021 12:15am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118107395#Comment_118107395

I was annoyed at the muffled dialogue too but I don’t think it a lot of scene.

I thought maybe three times and it always seemed to be something about the Messiah that got muffled.

I have never read the books and I thought the dreams were easy enough to understand what they were about - he has visions of the future. What he actually sees in his visions is meant to confusing because he doesn’t see everything.

It didn’t feel like 2 1/2 hours. It felt like half that.

pixelburp · 03-11-2021 8:43am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118110357#Comment_118110357

Can't speak for Arghus but but I think "grown up" here is more about the films structure, pacing and how it spoke to the audience. Family friendly movies, especially those "4 quadrant" types, usually have much faster pacing, with dialogue or plotting that's intentionally simplistic or linear. Everything's explained to some degree, young kids can follow along and kept engaged/excited.

Dune barely held the adults' hands and I can't seriously imagine any kids being able to follow or understand what was going on. Certainly the pacing likely would bore then to tears (again, seems like some of the adults here couldn't get past the slow pace), while the politics probably would go over their heads.

Need a Username · 03-11-2021 9:51am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118110916#Comment_118110916

I thought the film clipped along at a very nice pace. The story and dialogue (with the exception of some moments where it was muffled or mumbled) was straightforward and easy to follow.

The politics is simple and spelled out clearly at several points - Leto tells Paul going to Dune is going to put them in a position of great power, someone (Brolin I think) tells Paul that the honour of controlling Dine is not necessarily a gift, the Bene Gessrit tell the Harokkons that the Emperor wants the Atreides destroyed because they are getting too popular. What is difficult to follow?

There are nuns with super powers and Paul has these powers. He is a a Messiah or Chosen One.

The politics and religion are easy to understand and are explained a lot more than in Star Wars.

There is not that much down time between action scenes.

It has the same level of violence as Star Wars and in fact a big deal is made of the fact that Pail has taken a live and is hesitant to do so until he no choice. The heroes in Star Wars kill with no regard for life. Naked and paralysed Oscar Isaac and the intent by some of the bad guys to commit rape are the only “adult” moments in the film and even so the former may have some equivalent in Star Wars and the later would not be understood by kids.

As you point out there are elements that adults couldn’t follow or be happy with. Likewise some kids would be bored and others enjoy it.

You will have to give me some examples of family friendly or other blockbusters that hold hands (not disagreeing just can’t think of any) but I don’t see anything in Dune that required it.

I really enjoyed the movie but was expecting it to be a bit bonkers. And the director had called it (or at least the books) Star Wars for adults but I honestly can’t see that adult aspect.

Very glad though that there is a new outer space film and tv series.

Ash.J.Williams · 03-11-2021 9:53am

saw it in max blanch and it was one of greatest ever cinema experiences ever, no social distancing though

Lefty2Guns · 03-11-2021 10:38am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118110386#Comment_118110386

I'm finding a lot of movie dialogue is muffled these days. Like the surround sound on the movie is more important than the conversation the characters are having.

I really enjoyed the film though. Looking forward to the Part 2.

ancapailldorcha · 03-11-2021 3:00pm

Wanted to like it more than I did. Felt like it was a bit too focused on setting up epic shots and moments (and some definitely qualify in this regard) than pacing. As a result, I felt disengaged for large chunks of it.

Need a Username · 03-11-2021 3:28pm

I was really looking forward to seeing the movie and although I did enjoy I didn’t come out of the wow’d by it.

I have not read the books or seen the Lynch movie but had it in my head that the Dune franchise was bonkers and weird. I have seen parts of Jardowsky’s Dune and although I was aware that Jardowsky had never even read them himself before designing the images maybe that put the bonkers and weird in my head.

So even though I liked it I was thrown from the start by the fact it wasn’t bonkers and weird and I couldn’t settle into it.

buried · 03-11-2021 9:06pm

Went to see this again today. Its just so brilliantly crafted. The entire world and universe is totally believable even after just a couple of minutes of swinging into it. I think this has a lot to do with the fantastic sound design Villeneuve utilises to the images sequenced on the screen, it disorientates your brain into accepting this alien world almost immediately. Hopefully this will be released as blu-ray at Christmas time. The two and a half hours just flew by for me both times, I wanted to stay another two hours watching and experiencing more.

pixelburp · 03-11-2021 9:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118113061#Comment_118113061

To be honest the first couple of books are not especially bonkers. They are, to be reductive, straight faced tales of political intrigue between factions (centred around open themes of colonialism) or the inevitable spiral of a holy war (openly referred to as a Jihad in the book) - mixed around a Chosen One storyline that now seems very passé. The curse of being the progenitor.

The 80s film and the abandoned Jardowsky production have given the series more of a reputation for craziness than is earned or fair; now, the later books do get a little more intangible and eccentric, but still nothing outright "bonkers". I'd elaborate but obviously that spoils some big events - though they're also unlikely to be adapted faithfully if the films ever reach that far into the books.

Need a Username · 03-11-2021 9:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118114948#Comment_118114948

Well I guess seeped into my subconscious from that reputation.

I was also expecting it to to be very complex in regards the story and culture of the universe but it was far from that.

I did like it but I will have to watch it again to properly enjoy it free from the preconceptions I had. Can’t do that at the cinema though - the showtimes here are damned inconvenient.

So I will watch again when it hits iTunes.

Denis Villeneuve’s Dune

Comments

Waterford Whispers take on it...