What can I say? The classic sci-fi story by frank herbert, put on the big screen. All the production values of the De Laurentis group are in force here. It's definately not a low budget film. So what can I say? The basic story concern the feud between House Harkonnen, and House Atreides, with the Emperor lurking in the background. The action all takes place on planet Arrakis, otherwise known as Dune. On the planet, House Atreides are attacked by House Harkonnen, with the emperors troops to help them. All that are left are Paul Atreides, and his mother, Jessica. They manage to escape into the desert, and join up with the indegenous population, The Fremen. They then rise up against House Harkonnen and the Emperor. Unfortunaley thats were any similarity with the book seems to end. It isn't surprising that this film loses so much in the making. To bring the full storyline to the big screen would require at least two 3 hour films, and even then, some would have to be cut. As it is, this film is more confusing than American foreign policy! Too much had to be left out or altered to get this into abou 2 1/2 hours. Too much. It as left the storyline confusing and weak, with much missing that they never seem to explain. For the first time viewer, it is an appalling mish-mash of ideas, with few answers. The acting leaves a great deal to be desired too, with only Kyle Machlachlan ( Twin Peaks ) and Patrick Stewart ( Star Trek Next Gen. ) putting in good performances. Jurgen Procknow, plays Kynes really well too, but I feel he would have been better cast as a different character. I feel that most of the others deserve Golden Raspberry Awards. There are some saving graces though. If you like big epic soundtracks, then this is worth seeing, if only for the final scenes. The music is excellent. Very powerful, and triumphant. Also the effects are pretty good too. All told, this is really only worth watching if you are a Dino De Laurentis film fan, or are fanatic about the whole Dune series of books. Otherwise forget it, unless you have enough aspirin to take away the big headache it will leave you with.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Science Fiction, Action/Adventure - Director: Greg Beeman, Allan Arkush - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Zachary Quinto, Masi Oka, Adrian Pasdar, Milo Ventimiglia, Greg Grunberg, Hayden Panettiere, Ali Larter
Production Year: 2007 - Science Fiction - Director: Francis Lawrence - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Alice Braga, Charlie Tahan, Dash Mihok, Will Smith, Salli Richardson, Willow Smith
I rephrase that, sorry! Film - I was thinking of the game while I was typing this before. But I don't enjoy Sci-Fi films either. Take care, love gillyXXX
GillyPooh78 28.05.2003 20:03
I really don't like these kind of games! GillyXXXX
Collingwood21 26.05.2003 17:18
So many great books just don't work on the big screen, do they? This was a super review, although it would help if you broke the text up into paragraphs with spaces to make reading easier.
Advantages: Great film, great direction, great individual performances, gripping plot Disadvantages: Slightly dodgy lighting, plot not properly explained
Cheesefather 24.01.2002 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
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