Dune reviewed by Mark Kermode 

Dune is the first big-budget sci-fi movie in a while that's actually felt like watching a *film* as opposed to 2-hr long videogame cutscene

This film is laced with CGI but never looks like a Marvel or Transformers movie. Gives me hope that more directors can use CGI as an art form.

The audience are smarter than everyone's always thought. Thank you Mark, that's a gem.

I remember my parents taking me to see The Return of the King when I was a child and that movie evoked a feeling in me that no other cinema experience since then has come close to. Dune brought that feeling back to me. Seeing this movie in an auditorium was something that I won't ever forget.

This movie was so satistfying to watch because it was so focused in its execution. Really hope that they get to make Part 2.

On the note of the audience being smarter than everyone thinks: This movie managed to do a lot of expository work and world-building by simply dropping implications and letting the audience connect the dots. There's no listening to exposition-dumps in the form of internal monologues or outright voice-over narration like the 1984 version. Maybe it's a bit less clear to someone who hasn't read the books, but I think it's refreshing that at no point did a character go "What's a Sardaukar??" or something like that just so they can have it explained for the audience to hear.

I echo everything Mark said here. People need to understand that Dune isn't a flashy, fast-paced thrill ride like Star Wars, it's focused more on worldbuilding and lore than on action, it's more artistic than commercial. It is an adaptation of a book that prompts readers to think, so if you go into a cinema expecting simple fun then you will be disappointed, Dune is anything but simple.

As a huge fan of both book and director my expectations for "Dune" were through the roof and yet, through sheer cinematic force, it exceeded them. Seeing the world and characters brought to life with such craftsmanship was overwhelming to me. I thought it was absolutely stunning. I can't wait to see it again.

The sardaukar planet scene was one of the most metal things I have seen in a movie in a long time.

When the Reverand Mother lands and takes off for meeting Paul, the sound and visuals were just assaulting me and I had goosebumps

Poster quote: "IT'S VERY GOOD" - MARK KERMODE

I feel like I was the target audience member for this film. I have a passing interest in Dune, read the book years ago and seen both the Lynch film and the miniseries, but otherwise I'm not a superfan. This is one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen, and the story was told so well that now I feel like I'm more invested than ever

Saw it tonight on IMAX. I can’t imagine people first experiencing that film on TV at home. It’s probably the most in awe of cinematic visuals I’ve been since LOTR in 2001. The cinematography is just stunningly beautiful. I also liked the sound and un-Zimmer score. The acting was solid, with Chalamet impressing as the lead, but everyone else was fantastic too. I’ve got the book but never read it. Now I can read it while we wait for them to green light part 2!

With Oscar Isaac on screen and the desert scenes. I couldn’t help wonder how good Star Wars could have been if George had given the reigns to Denis Villeneuve, instead of selling to the house of mouse. He gives reverence to everything, the sand, the tech, the history, the characters, and gives the story itself time to breathe. Just imagine what he could have done with 6+ hours and access to our favourite sci fi characters and imagery. There was humour in Dune, all of it in world and in character, not a single “your momma” joke in sight.

Having read Dune many years ago when I was 13, this brought the images back into my mind that I had 50 years ago. At one point I had tears streaming down my face

When I saw it I remember thinking at the two hour mark that I couldn't believe that two hours had already gone by. There was not a minute of boredom in this movie; never once did I wish the pace would pick up.

They seemed to use a lot of horror techniques to build atmosphere, menace and suspense. That was the thing I particularly liked about it.

First time he didn't say his iconic phrase "here's a clip".

Mark said, "It's kind of a relief it is very good." I felt exactly that way about Blade Runner 2049 after first seeing it. I wonder how many more times are we going to say this about Denis Villeneuve films before we relax and trust him to make a good movie? This is not a criticism of Mark. The trepidation we all feel with these films is completely reasonable. But Villeneuve seems eminently capable of meeting or exceeding fan expectations.

Took a 90 minute bus out to see this on an IMAX screen and had the bus back not been too late to catch the showing at my local I'd have seen it twice tonight.

This is why I watch Kermode reviews, he describes and summarises things I can’t. The feeling I had (as a huge Dune fan) through the whole film was “this could fail at any minute”, it was a kind of restless energy that spoiled the first screening for me. It was amazing, but thanks Mark, I’m going to watch it a second time this weekend. Great review

Watched it last night at the theatre and was overwhelmed....watched it again today at home in a dark room with headphones on high volume and I listened to every word of dialogue and the experience was ethereal...This is a movie masterpiece....

Saw it on IMAX …… magnificent movie …… taking the family over the weekend!

Dune is absolutely a cinema experience, the sound scape is incredible, and in world where I thought I couldn't be amazed by the visuals, I was with Dune. For the first time The CGI didn't look phoney, its looked real, I can't wait for part 2.

Seeing the new Dune made me appreciate more the Lynch version for its attempting to wrangle this story in one film, as dense as it is.

Just got back from the pictures after seeing this; wow! I want part 2!

I keep hearing complaints that “there should have been more” and “why is this 2 parts”. And my response to those people is simply, if a movies last impression is you wanting more, that’s a good thing. People keep mentioning these things as critiques which I will never understand.

This is sci-fi Lord of the Rings and I really hope we get the full trilogy. Go and see this at the theatres, it’s a fantastic cinematic experience.

I cannot figure out why there is such division about this masterpiece. Not boring. Not for a second. Intense. Beautiful. The DUNE story told beautiful. A beautiful golden intense masterpiece.

This is "the New Hope" for an OG trilogy Star Wars fan, turned off by most recent "sci-fi" offerings (recent = last 25 years). Hope this spawns a more interesting Space Opera Universe for the new millenia.

You've convinced me to see a film I've been calling 'Dunc'. (Addendum.. and I liked it.)

I didn’t want it to end, so I’d say I loved it.

I’m seeing this at the BFI IMAX tomorrow. I’m so excited, I feel like if there was one movie to see at the IMAX it would be this one. What a way to get back into the cinema!

To anyone who cares for the future of Cinemas, please endeavour to see Dune on the big screen. The world building and monumental scale on display is testament to the import of the theatrical experience. You will carry this film with you long after leaving your local multiplex. There’s a reason why people of yore referred to Cinemas as ‘Dream Theatres’ and a film this rich in narrative intricacy, haunting sounds and astonishing vistas is truly worthy of such acclamation. It’s a trip!

Just saw Dune in IMAX & in short, it was absolutely jaw dropping. It is an excellent film & if like me, you’re a long time fan of the novels & world, you’ll not be disappointed.

Denis Villeneuve is a much more coherent filmmaker than Christoper Nolan (who i do actually like).

Never felt a need to comment on a film before,read the books back in the 80’s, blown away by Herbert’s world making. Saw the Lynch film liked it but the old “Sting in a nappy” section still makes me cringe. Ff to 23rd October,my 20 year old daughter treated me to front row 4Dx seats.(she was unaware what 4Dx was,when I explained she commenced a meltdown!) Dune starts and I am immediately a little fanboy! It is awesome,intelligent and breathtaking. My daughter hasn’t stopped talking about it since. We look forward to the epic culmination with anticipation

Dune was always going to be divisive. I'd be willing to guess that most people who dislike this film would dislike the novel as well. Denis did a fantastic job translating Herbert's story to the big screen.

To me, it reminded me of David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia. Massive scale, gorgeous throughout and excellent cast.

I've been waiting for this review specifically.

"There's a whole thing about having to walk in a certain way so as not to create TREMORS that will attract the attention of the WORMS which is very much like...."

Omigod! at 9.00 : " I didn't want to do a voice-over, so I got Hans Zimmer to do a voice-over" has to be the greatest compliment ever paid to a film composer.

Seen it today in the cinema. I was apprehensive as the clips I'd seen looked stunning, but I worried it would be all special effects heavy and no plot. I was so pleased that I had noting to worry about. Some of the scenes are almost Shakespearean, but also with a keen sense of wonder and modern storytelling. I could not get over how well the cinematography and story worked. They are also right about the music, even that aided the movie. The cast are all utterly brilliant, and I left the cinema wanting more...I will be hugely disappointed if the second movie isn't made.

Don’t normally think “I need to watch that again in the cinema” and actually mean it. Went 2 days ago, going back at the weekend!!! I actually didn’t mind the original but this was much better, and benefits massively from only being 1st half in terms of detail and pace

I would have seen Dune regardless of any negative reviews but I am honestly relieved a reviewer I respect enjoyed the film.

im relieved, i was never bored, it looked fuckin glorious, it rolled on at quite a pace maybe a little too quick in parts, part twos gonna be interesting, theres alot of dead characters now so introducing more in the 2nd installment needs to be dealt with well. im happy, im praying we get to see the next one. do i love it? no not quite, i think i may after another viewing or two tho. bravo Denis

So happy I saw it on a massive screen with a fantastic sound system. A sense of scale that I haven’t experienced in cinema in years.

This was an incredible movie, made for the big screen. People need to go see this or we will not get a part 2, and that would be a great shame. Please go see this film, give this film money!

The part of the soundtrack that played during the first sandworm attack is a masterpiece. Somehow, I can‘t stop listening to it on the Original Soundtrack Album.

Dune is the greatest "fantasy/sci-fi" movie since Lord of the Rings, without question.

One of my biggest worries is people will think the effects are underwhelming. Because they are so good everything just looks like it’s actually there. Amazing stuff tbh. I lived the film. Wish they had both been made at the same time and we were only waiting till next autumn for release of part 2.

Great film. Villeneuve is a great Director. I don’t think this is his best work, I’d probably say Arrival and Blade Runner are his best, but for the cinematography, score and just the scope of this, it really is outstanding. Gonna go and watch it again next week

As much as I enjoyed the movie I'm a bit sad Denis left out so much of the political intrigue. There are vital scenes from the book that I hope make it into an extended cut one day.

Denis makes art. This movie did not leave me when I walked out of the theater, like most movies these days.

Absolutely agree. If you don't see this in IMAX then you are missing out. A cinematic experience par excellence

My Wow! moment was the Ornithopter start up sequence. It just looked and sounded so real.

I really can't imagine a better adaptation of the book being made. Is it perfect? No. But, with a book as dense (and wonderfully difficult) as Dune, this is as good as any fan of the book could wish for. Minor issue: Wish Thufir Hawat had just a bit more screen time and it was explained exactly what a Mentat is and how Thufir served Duke Leto

Only thing that i would add is some 30 minutes between when Atreides arrive on Dune, and the moment Harkonnen attack. Just little bit more time with characters, and it would be perfect.

Saw it this morning in a wonderfully empty theatre. It was fantastic.

I thought it was a very watchable film, and I'm rather looking forward to seeing part two.

Yet to see in cinema but holy moses it’s incredibly immersive even on small screen. Couldn’t believe how high stakes seemed when the betrayal sequence began and the Harkonnen enacting brutal scenes of genocide. The attention to detail is as expected, it would be criminal if this doesn’t get the green light for a sequel. The spaceship effects are so fantastically done, they have a sort of floaty glidy motion that looks truly other worldly. Loved the RAIN on Caladan and the prison planet. Nice contrast with desert.

An amazing spectacle and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Loved Charlotte Rampling as the Reverend Mother but I felt the "straight line" through the plot that Mark talks about is to the film's detriment as besides Paul and Jessica there was very little character development. Yueh in particular was incredibly hard done by and was not in the film anywhere near enough considering his importance to the story. The absence of the entire subplot about who the spy in the Atreides camp was meant that his revelation near the end fell really flat. There was no build up or development of his relationship with Paul, so it felt like it came out of leftfield rather than having any emotional impact. Fingers crossed not only for Part 2 and Dune Messiah, but for a version of Part 1 (Director's Cut?) with about 40 mins of extra footage edited in to help fill in some of the narrative and emotional blanks.

I loved it. Thank you for this review Mark. Please give us part 2 Denis.

I was just generally aware of Dune and this film has made me a fan so much that I'am going to read the book

I thoroughly enjoyed Dune. The cinematography, the score, just the enormity of it is breathtaking. My issues lie in the details though. I understand that many aspects of the book cannot translate to film but I thought the sense of foreboding that Herbert built so well when the Atreides landed on Arrakis was missing. The Duke’s assassination seemed rushed to me and Doctor Yueh didn’t get nearly enough screen time to impart that feeling of betrayal that the books gave. I was surprised too that Paul’s growing prescience was not a bigger part of the film following the spice “trip” in the tent. Following this event he becomes much more self-assured and capable in the books but the change isn’t as stark in the film. For me, it was a great way to set the scene for the sequel but had a number of puzzling choices that left me scratching my head afterwards.

Dune is what real cinema is , to be totally immerse in the movie itself

I think Dune's complexity has actually been oversold. Dune isn't incomprehensible. It has a lot going on with factions, and politics, and locations, and a lot of made-up words, yes. But all of it makes sense in context and it's easy to put together once you're immersed in it. I'd describe this version of Dune as "self-assured." It had such confidence with its effects, and set-pieces, and scale, and acting. It knows exactly what kind of movie they're making, and it's not going to scramble and hand you a glossary before you walk in like the Lynch version.

*spoilers* I guess I saw it differently to everyone else. Visually it was flawless. But character development and narrative were rushed... the focal tension around which part one should have been built, an intercepted message and the suspicion it brought about each character in the camp, and not knowing from where the betrayal would eventually come, their potential motives, none of that mentioned prior to the attack, no reason to feel anything about most of the characters. Plot points happened, but the why was just tossed in as an aside as they happened to make room for more action, very unsatisfying. Also glossed, how the abilities of all these particular characters culminate in Paul, and his becoming this higher being, triggered by spice, again not set out, he just becomes really good at shit: bit of fight training, bit of bene training and now he's better than a fierce Fremen. That is where it should have ended, in the desert Paul is something else now, mentat, fighter leader, Benet, Man. Like Neo at the end of the first Matrix, we have explained in this story why he is so special and why we should care. Next he will demonstrate it when he seeks out the Fremen and vengeance, instead of him just doing cool shit for quick mentioned reasons. Dune rushes these points like a tick box excercise - cloying at the Fremen ending (as if the fall of Leto wasn't big enough). It missed the essence of what makes Herbert's story telling so compelling, well placed out set pieces that fall together in a meaningful way. Obviously you're welcome to disagree.

In one of those alternate Blade Runner cuts, Roy Batty, referring to a trip he’d made to Alabama (not mentioned in the other cuts), turns to his android buddies and he says, he says to his buddies, he says “I… I’ve seen people you things wouldn’t believe”. Very much looking forward to this movie though!

The film came out in Germany a month ago, and since then I've seen it 7 times in the cinema. When Mark Kermode says that the film is never boring, that is a total understatement IMO!

The location for Arakis is Wadi Rum here in Jordan. Lawrence of Arabia, and The Martian are among some of the movies that have used it as a location. It's a short drive from Petra. If you love movies.... come and visit this beautiful country :)

My only complaint is I didn't see it for the first time in a Dolby IMAX theater. I watched it on HBO MAX instead. It absolutely blew me away, I watched it 2 nights in a row. I would have watched it for 4 hours if it were that long. If it blew me away on my own TV, I knew, even whilst watching, it would have been completely mind-blowing in a theater. GO SEE IT IN A THEATER IF YOU CAN. So stunning. So dreamy and deep. Inspiring. UGH!

I saw it on Monday and feel left out of the buzz. Don't get me wrong, it's an impressive spectacle for sure but as someone who had zero knowledge of this world going in, I understood WHAT was happening, but I struggled to connect to the WHY. It had it's moments, but I did find myself checking my watch a few times during it (bear in mind I'm a big fan of 2049). Having watched a few reviews of it now, I feel more enthused about getting a sequel than I was, but I had difficultly caring about what was going on in the moment and felt a little underwhelmed, in spite of it's overwhelming scope

It's a stunning film. Fantastic experience and HAS to be seen on the largest screen you can get to watch it on. I was totally blown away by it and have tickets for tomorrow to see it again. It's so very good. Really deserves part two (and even part three, depending on how the break down the story). A work of art.

Fantastic review. Masterful filmmaking from Denis Villeneuve. Mark didn’t even mention the cast, or some of the outstanding performances, which help make the film so believable and less (dare I say) operatic and “Lynchy”. It’s a blockbuster, in the truest sense of the word and deserving of a Part II.

What you are saying about 'the audience is not stupid', I feel the same about other media, videogames are a good example or even pop music. They keep producing those things like people need there hand held all the time.

I found it interesting that Denis Villeneuve's "Dune" takes the polar opposite approach than David Lynch did, avoiding most of Lynch's trademark surrealistic imagery in favour of aspiring to succeed or fail on its own premises: Those being basically that of an old fashioned historical epic of the type Hollywood rarely makes today, just set in the future. And I actually think it works better everything considered.

This movie was amazing. Hope we get Part 2.

"I didn't come here to tell you how this is going to end, I came here to tell you how it's going to begin"...

Not only is this film for cinema; it's for IMAX!

Dune is not a massively complex un-filmable book, it is a fairly straight forward sci-fi novel. Lynch’s Dune may not be for everyone but it follows the book pretty closely.

Saw it in 3D in Imax on Saturday and then again on Sunday in a different theatre... Even though I read the books, I just couldn't stop thinking about this world, had to see it again. I've never done that before. Needless to say, I loved it. Not filming the second part would be a crime. The spice must flow!

I love the effort on video here, beautiful framing with the door and that gorgeous blue carpet.

We had a family trip to the movies today to see Dune, me and my husband and two teenagers. We all loved it!

When part 2 is released, I will be there for the inevitable 10pm to 2am Part 1 and Part 2 double bill on the biggest, loudest screening I can get to

Having read the book, I feel Villeneuve did a fabulous job. Its a rotten book to try and make into a movie, but he pulled it off. Also, the character dialogue in the book is dreadful, maybe not as bad George Lucas level...but cheesy and pantomime level at times. Well Villeneuve fixed this for this movie, the dialogue is exquisite and even though the characters talk about lofty religious ideas and destiny, it feels somehow grounded and not irritating. That's a major plus in my book.

The book was such a big part of my childhood. I’m a grown man and this movie brought me to tears when you see the worm rider at the end.

I think Villeneuve’s films are more elegant and composed than Nolan’s. Nolan’s become clunky and over-stuffed.

I hope we get a director's cut because the movie was way too short lol

We just left the cinema. Like MK, I didn't feel talked down to. Most importantly, the planet and culture of Arrakis was fully realised. Walking home, I said to my son that I remember watching the Star Wars movies and wishing that the film had allowed us to stay with the Jawas or the Tuskan Raiders, to actually get into a place and civilisation and not just sketch it, and that's what Dune felt like. Of course there was action and fantasy-style knights and set piece battles, and more than a hint of GRRM plotting and aristocratic cliche in the noble house and the ruthless house, but more importantly,, it made me want to live longer with the Fremen and get into some spice rituals and become one of them, which, seeing as it was ultimately Paul's story arc, was a resounding success.

My father sitting next to me at the cinema, not knowing the story at all, and with a tendency to nap when too comfortable, went just straight to the end of the movie, commenting the end like "how?? is it already finished??" with genuine upset. That told me the movie had the right pace to keep interest on. Loved it.

A grand time at the cinema!. Brilliant, visionary film by Villeneuve, with outstanding cinematography and production design to match his ambition. The Zimmer score had shades of Maurice Jarre's classic "Lawrence of Arabia" theme. Brilliant film, that felt like a throwback when spectacle wasn't defined mostly by special effects. My only real quibble is the sound mix. For whatever reason, I wish I didn't have problem understanding dialogue as often as I do.

Great review. This movie flew by, but wasn't fast paced. I think it might have been perfect....look forward to watching both parts on the trot when (if?) PT2 comes out! 😬🤞

I’ve been checking Mark’s page for days now, waiting for this review. I had already read Peter Bradshaw’s review, but with him it’s always a gamble. I had to have the final seal of approval from Mark. I mean I would have watched Dune anyway as a huge fan of the book and the director Deni. I feel like God listened to my prayers giving Deni the chance to make the Blade runner sequel and Dune - the first one being my favourite film of my life, Dune being my favourite sci fi novel of my life. I fear for the future of cinema, we are so much in need for visionary Mavericks like Denis. Just one last thought , and this one is for you Mark: when I watched your top 10 favourite films of the 2010s, I was 100% convinced Blade runner2049 would be in the top 5. So as we went on from the 6th, 5th, 4th position, I thought - Yes, it will be number 1! Only to find out BR2049 did not make it to the list! Wasn’t even mentioned as runner up or something. Seriously, that was one of the biggest “cultural shocks “ of my life. I still love you Mark, perhaps one day we’ll get an answer why :) So next Saturday for me in Crawley Imax. I cannot describe my excitement.

wildly breathtaking in scale and dramatically inert at times that holds it back from being a masterpiece. still some great performances and they should absolutely write the check for the next installment

This was the best adaptation I could have hoped for! It was human, it was tactile, I could all but taste the spice in the desert sand! Hey, filmmakers around the world, there are amazing novels waiting to be put to film. But you have to love and respect them first!

I have a feeling when Denis makes part 2,audiences will be more receptive to a 3 hour or more narrative that wraps everything up .

Seen it in IMAX at Cineworld Plymouth. It was emotional... Fully immersed into the worlds through sound and vision for the duration of the film. Can't recommend enough watching it on the big screen.

Absolutely spot on. I'm a huge huge Dune fan, it's my favourite. And the book nailed everything, the sound, the look, the sparseness, the otherworldiness, the spirit of the story. So far, it's just spot on; I'm absolutely stunned and excited for the possibility of part 2.

I remember seeing an early screening of it in September here in Australia and the imax version and hope to see part 2 and it was incredible in 4K love it and great review as always mate big fan from Australia