Science Fiction & Fantasy > Y Science Fiction & Fantasy > Stockwell, Dean

Advantages: Still impressive visuals, great cast
Disadvantages: Pretentious, confusing, my copy's out of sync

...Even after over twenty years, Dune is still a very very weird film. Cult director and probable insane genius David Lynch helmed this 1984 adaptation of Frank Herbert's doorstop science-fiction novel. Specific gripes first: my copy of the DVD is a bit glitchy. The transfer seems to have been a pretty ropy job in places with freezes, pixellation and skipping (that might just be my copy) and the sound is out of sync with the actors by up to about half ...
...dread to think how much Dune must have cost to produce. It is a ridiculously lavish film, full of massive sets with hundreds of extras, and special effects that still hold up commendably well for the digital age. If the occasional ornithopter shot looks a bit creaky, the fabby shield fighting and the groovy flying Baron Harkonnen more than make up for them, and to my amazement the giant Worms of Arrakis (the desert planet) don't look too bad either. ... Read review

Advantages: An awesome epic
Disadvantages: can be a little dull

Since first entering the Dune universe I hav read every book available to date, watched both mini-series and played every game I could get my hands on... It still doesn't compare to the actual awe I feltwatching this film properly for the first time. Ok, it doesn't stick that closely to the original story (unlike the later adaptation by the sci-fi channel) and the earlier DVD edition had an odd green tone but this is IT, the reason I am now obsesive ...
...like one of the new LOTR inspired epics, a little stodgy and tough to get into, kind of like the books, if you don't have patience and you don't like this kind of thing don't watch it. If you do then it is a deffinate must, its as memorable as any film I've seen (after the first viewing I had already memorised the opening speech) and more memorable than most. Although the storyline wavers from the books it is still engrossing. Unfortunately the ... Read review

Advantages: Stunning landscapes and buildings, and the worms are great
Disadvantages: Confusing.

...who must have a definitive Dune collection, but in my opinion, it doesn't add that much to the film. In general, I would recommend this film to anyone feeling nostalgic for old sci-fi epics, and to anyone who thinks that films such as the Chronicles of Riddick are better in comparison to the greats. Oh, and watch out for the insane flying baron. ... Read review

Advantages: Epic Sci-Fi spectacular
Disadvantages: Poorly received, some naff special effects

...transform Frank Herbert's epic novel Dune into a movie. This grandiose movie looks as epic as Star Wars, but has something dirtier, menacing and almost sadomasochistic about it. Set in the year 10991 Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV (Jose Ferrer) feels threatened; one of his servant races (Atreides) is developing a power that can cripple simply by vocal ability. Choosing not to trust House Atreides he sends them to the planet Arrakis to mine for a rare ...
...first thing you notice about Dune is the way it looks, there is something very Russian about its design, not just in its uniform but in its impressive structures and settings. The House Atreides are the most traditionally dressed of all the races you encounter during the movie their uniforms all black, with coloured lapels and sashes to register their importance amongst their legion of soldiers; varying levels of the Atreides also have some very ... Read review

Advantages: fast moving, action filled
Disadvantages: too complex for the type of movie it is

Writer/ Director Neil Marshall (Dog Soldiers and Descent) takes us into apolcolyptic Britain, where all of Scotland is zoned off to protect the rest of the world from the deadly reaper virus. The virus is contained safely, civilization moves on. That is untill...the virus returns. Edna Sinclair (Rhona Mitra), captain of a specialist government group, is sent to quarentined Scotland to retrieve a cure for the deathly virus. Whilst there she embarks ...
...a past she cannot escape. The film is fast-paced and full of gory action. Scotland has become a nightmare land, filled with the savage descendants of those locked within the city walls. Scotland may have found the cure to the dreaded Reaper Virus, but they have also formed a new, brutal, blood thirsty civilisation. Edna Sinclair must lead her team through the war filled streets of old Scotland, but will she manage to find the cure in time? I thought ... Read review