Well I saw the release last night and IMHO it is an epic Sci-Fi film. Well worth going to see up on the big screen and pretty true to the book - although just omitting a single line of dialogue from the book can leave you with a cliff-hanger ending, ready for Dune 3 (or Dune Messiah).
The visual effects/CGI are stunning and very much as I'd imagined things when I read the books originally all those years ago when they was first published.
There is also some pretty cool new weaponry (spoiler alert) I am particularly liking the magnetic grav-mines - some very clever thinking there (is there a job in the film industry these days for a sci-fi 'battle-tech' designer? :-\ and am I too old to apply???).
I suspect that with the reviews being as good as they are, and the fact cinema that I was at had 9 showings yesterday (release day) and all were pretty much packed-out - I suspect that the franchise will continue, as long as the caste & director remains committed. Dune Messiah will be much harder to recreate in a way that extends the cinematic franchise positively, as so much of it occurs in the hero's head and has a lot more complex set of ideas. But I am looking forward to seeing what can be done with it.
So, I'd thoroughly recommend Dune 2 and seeing it on a big screen if you can.
("Fear is the mind killer, the little death")
Was it easier to hear the dialoge that Dune 1? We noticed a difference from Amazon to Netflix, with it easier to hear on the latter platform. It may seem atmospheric to have ups and downs with dialogue etc, but bloody annoying when you have to have your finger constantly on the volume button, to avoid loud music and then try to hear stuff a second or so later.
Quote from: Steve J on 02 March 2024, 02:05:31 PMWas it easier to hear the dialoge that Dune 1? We noticed a difference from Amazon to Netflix, with it easier to hear on the latter platform. It may seem atmospheric to have ups and downs with dialogue etc, but bloody annoying when you have to have your finger constantly on the volume button, to avoid loud music and then try to hear stuff a second or so later.
Interesting Steve. I didn't notice it but then in the big cinema the sound was pretty loud anyway - as seems to have to be the norm these days (sadly). However, there is quite a bit of sub-titling as you have a lot of Fremen talking to each other, or Harkonnen battle-language (which I think adds greatly to the realism of the film) but thinking back there were some scenes, especially where the actors are talking covertly to each other where it was harder to hear. But nothing that distracted from the narrative, that I can remember.
Quote from: Big Insect on 02 March 2024, 11:18:05 AMThere is also some pretty cool new weaponry (spoiler alert) I am particularly liking the magnetic grav-mines - some very clever thinking there (is there a job in the film industry these days for a sci-fi 'battle-tech' designer? :-\ and am I too old to apply???).
Isn't that why it's so difficult to get a hold of Old Crow Models? I'm sure he's working in the Sci-Fi film industry.
On the other point of sound levels, I abandoned watching Dune at home, because even with everything turned up to full I still couldn't hear the dialogue.
Quote from: Steve J on 02 March 2024, 02:05:31 PM...but bloody annoying when you have to have your finger constantly on the volume button, to avoid loud music and then try to hear stuff a second or so later.
We have subtitles on almost everything these days, as so many films have got quiet dialogue, or the adverts are 5x louder than the programme.
My gaming buddy saw it in Imax and said it was epic, the best movie experience he's had in his life (and he's not terribly young!). I'd love to game it in 10mm, especially having an army Saudakaur Terror Troops (although I think I prefer the look of the original Dune terror troops).
Quote. . . or the adverts are 5x louder than the programme.
On the rare occasion I watch something on a channel with adverts, the "mute" button is
always used during the breaks.
Well I have to say, although a technical triumph, I found the film rather boring. I found it very difficult to engage with the characters and plot. At least the rest of the family thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
I wasn't too impressed either, too much jumping about and the finally third got a bit ridiculous and baggy, no sense of jeopardy anywhere.
In the David Lynch version worm riding was made a big deal, first time we see it here is some bloke riding along like on a Sunday morning surf trip. The worms themselves are just portrayed as a glorified world wide tube system.
The Emperors elite enter a hostile zone and don't set any defensive positions just stand around and die in droves and considering they have spent since birth being conditioned for war or whatever aren't very good at it being overun by tribal rabble in a straight fight. Everything was easy.
Zendaya played a sulky teenager and what's Gurney doing being a smuggler.
More I think about it a prefer the David Lynch version!
Quote.. . and what's Gurney doing being a smuggler?
I'm sure he becomes that in the book, thinking all the Atreides are dead.
QuoteZendaya played a sulky teenager and what's Gurney doing being a smuggler.
Were you never a teenager in love? Sulky is the default mode. :)
Gurney is a smuggler in the book, as Raider4 says.
The Sardaukar are used to fighting shielded. On Arrakis shields attract sandworms so can't be used. The Sardaukar die of overconfidence.
I thought the film did a decent job of portraying the hazards of trying to ride a sandworm as a novice, with Paul almost buried in the sand several times.
In the books, Fremen seem to have travelled by worm as casually as we do by bus. Except that worms seem to be more regularly available and reliable. :)
Of the Lynch/ miniseries/ current options I prefer the current one.
QuoteMore I think about it a prefer the David Lynch version!
I've posted my opinion on the Lynch version on here before:
"The David Lynch version was badly let down by some truly terrible special effects, trying to cram the whole book into one movie and a couple of really stupid moments - the one where the Emperor & his top generals main the guns stands out as spectacularly bad."
A brave attempt to do sci-fi that wasn't Star Wars, but that ultimately failed.
Quote from: Raider4 on 27 March 2024, 10:48:05 AMA brave attempt to do sci-fi that wasn't Star Wars, but that ultimately failed.
A lot like Rebel Moon ;D
QuoteOn the rare occasion I watch something on a channel with adverts, the "mute" button is always used during the breaks.
And now Amazon Prime is showing adverts, so that's been cancelled (I wasn't paying for it anyways).