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The second feature film adaptation of Frank Herbert’s groundbreaking sci-fi masterpiece challenged the creative power of director Denis Villeneuve (“Arrival”) and was a critically acclaimed success late last year on both the HBO Max streaming service and IMAX movie screens.
Now available in 4K disc format, sand hill (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, PG-13, 2.39:1 aspect ratio, 155 minutes, rated $49.98) takes viewers back to the desert planet Arrakis and the battle between the mighty houses of a feudal-like empire over the most important item in the galaxy.
Specifically, the addictive drug Melange (aka spice) that expands consciousness and is critical for helping sailors conquer interstellar travel.
The movie begins in 10191 when the emperor decides that House Atreides must take control of spice production on Arrakis, replace House Harkonnen, and create bitter rivalries that will weaken both houses and only lead to war.
Knowing this, Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac) arrives on the planet and seeks to forge an alliance with the planet’s indigenous inhabitants, the Freemen, hoping this will be the key to maintaining peace and spice production on Arrakis.
All potential calm collapses when House Harkonnen’s army – led by the unrepentant evil Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård) and reinforced by Emperor Shaddam IV’s soldiers – attacks House Atreides.
But hope still exists as the duke’s son and heir, Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and Paul’s mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), escape and survive.
Due to his mother’s Bene Gesserit origins (a witchlike, deeply religious, political group), Paul harnesses the group’s mystical powers and embraces visions of a holy war as he begins to transform into the “Mahdi” (who will lead). us to heaven”) and truly set Arrakis free.
Viewers should know that this is only the first of two films that bring the source material to life and leave us wondering.
Fortunately, with the expanded format, Mr. Villeneuve can leverage deeper character development, take the time to clearly explain conflicts, use outstanding modern special effects (wait until you see a sandworm), and deliver action-packed explorations of Paul’s triggers. transformation.
This “Dune” almost completely removes the arid, convoluted vision and misconceptions of David Lynch’s 1984 film adaptation.
He also has a whole host of other actors to work with besides Mr. Chalamet, Mr. Skarsgård, Mr. Isaac and Mrs. Ferguson.
Additionally, he appoints Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck (gunsmith and Paul’s trainer); Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho (Paul’s friend and fierce warrior of House Atreides); Dave Bautista, Glossu Rabban (Baron Harkonnen’s homicidal nephew); Javier Bardem Stilgar (a Fremen tribal leader); and as Zendaya Chani (a young Fremen woman in Paul’s visions).
Suffice it to report and it’s already proven, it’s pretty impossible to bring all of Herbert’s work into live action, but Mr Villeneuve and his team have done a thorough and entertaining job.
My only disappointment is having to wait in a never ending coronavirus pandemic for a second movie.
4K in action: Compiled from a native 4K source, the film is filled with crisp, subtle shading without wasting any time to set the ultra-high-definition visual tone through an undulating symphony of sand and spice set against a sea of beige structures on Arrakis.
Cinematographer Greig Fraser moves from sand to a parade of various pale facial hues brought to grotesque life with high dynamic range enhancements and accentuated by the Baron’s rounded layers of sweaty facial oil.
Areas that viewers will appreciate include focusing on the fluttering wings of a ferocious aircraft called the ornithopter (which looks like a mix of dragonfly and attack helicopter), or the panoramic Paul overlooks a bay on the ocean planet Caladan with a massive ship rising out of the water. .
Keep enjoying more moments like desert dunes that look like whipped meringue, or a red-orange-saturated firestorm that backs the Atreides army under attack by the Harkonnen forces.
For examples of the detailed finesse provided by the 2160p experience, check out the tentacles of descending fireballs that erode Arrakeen composition, drops of water sliding down the inside of a meerkat’s ear, and a high-beam laser shattering like a stone wall. sugar cookies.
It all comes to aural life with a booming Dolby Atmos soundtrack that is sure to rock and engulf home entertainment rooms.
The best extras: Viewers will find short teasers of around 70 minutes that balance a review of the production with the mythology of the source material.
Beginners to “Dune” will first enjoy brief introductions to House Atreides, House Harkonnen, Bene Gesserit, Fremen, Spices with a lecture style narrative.
Next, the cast and crew offer perspectives on the film, with episodes covering the creation of the ornithopters and space adder; designs for the sandworm; shooting in desert locations; I ran; Effects; and the actors describe their characters.
Missing is an optional piece of commentary that, along with the director and key crew, can help further explain how this great undertaking was accomplished.
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