DUNE: PART 1 Review + A Case For Soundbars

 

I got to see Dune. Or, Dune: Part 1 as it's called in the film itself.

I'll explain how that works.

The director has explained multiple times during the film's pre-production (and production) via interviews that the Dune film that opened in cinemas (and is now streaming on HBO Max) is not the entirety of Dune, the first book, by Frank Herbert. He's stated that he would need two films to accurately, and fully, tell the story properly. He also hopes to do a third and final film of his (the director's) Dune Trilogy, which will be based on Dune Messiah, a much shorter book than Dune. So, if each of these Dune films is 2 hrs 30 - 2 hrs 45, that'd be adequate to tell the complete journey of Paul.

Now that the background info is given, I'll talk about the film.

The scope of the film reminded me more of 2001: A Space Odyssey than it did Star Wars: A New Hope. This is due in part to long shots and takes, the scene changes, etc. Filmaking-wise, it seemed to have borrowed from that. But, by all means, not in a rip-off or copy-cat fashion. Once such shot comes to mind is of a huge ship in outer space, with a whole slew of smaller ships emerging from it. The shot is seen from very far away, and there's no sound effects as these ships exit it. So it's quite artsy in terms of how it was filmed.

What The Lord of the Rings has done for the fantasy book genre, Dune has done for the science-fiction book genre. The film was well-adapted and well cast. I personally enjoyed the cast, though I can understand some fans not being fond of some of the choices. I read the first book, Dune, about a year ago, so my memory of it isn't fully up to snuff to recognize what was left out, or what was changed. I was aware that this film would only be part of the that book; though of what that part covered, I didn't immediately notice any changes or things left out.

Everything was well-designed and the film had a great look to it. So that this review won't get over-long, I'll mention something which will segue into another of our senses. I was quite curious to see how they were going to do the ornithopters (called 'thopters often in the books). I wasn't sure what to expect of how they would visualized, as there are a few different ways to do it. I was pleased with the look. Segue into: sound.



I saw the film in Cineplex's UltraAVX format, which is the theatre chain's method of providing Dolby Atmos in Canada (it is also provided via Landmark's Xtreme format) In the US, the format would be called Dolby Cinema. It was also my first time seeing a film in Dolby Atmos. To see why Dolby Atmos is a big deal, or so important, please do look into it. Essentially, though, to keep it simple for this review, it is the next evolution of sound. In recent years, we had stereo, surround sound, and now, we have spatial sound. Doly Atmos is one of the sound formats for spatial audio.

The Dolby Atmos was used quite well - there are loud scenes in the film, but they are never overbearing or too loud. With the ornithopters, as the wings move and vibrate, you can also feel it in your seat. It's hard to describe, but it's a surround format that's improved, but not by way of merely making things louder. Before the film started, I turned to my friend who I saw it with (neither of us had seen a film in Dolby Atmos before) and said: "Better put my phone to silent, so that I won't forget.....not that anyone would be able to hear it....."

It is because of Dune: Part 1's sound mix that I definitely suggest seeing it in a Dolby Atmos-capable cinema, if you can. If an IMAX one is much closer to you, then by all means. If all you have around you are standard screens, then this is still a movie to see on the 'Big Screen' (even though that term doesn't really mean anything these days as 'normal' TVs go from about 49" all the way up to possibly 90".)

For home viewing, I definitely suggest watching it via non-TV speakers. Anything that isn't your TVs speakers would be an upgrade. Home theatre is definitely ideal (especially if it's a Dolby Atmos system), though I'm fully aware not everyone has the space, patience, or budget to dedicate to such a viewing area. The next-best thing would be a soundbar. For a very basic soundbar that uses your TV's optical port, they start at around $150, and go up from there. Higher quality ones will cost more, as well as if they use HDMI instead of optical. I will say, that with any optical systems, you're best off turning all your sound settings, where and when possible, to PCM, LPCM and/or 'Stereo' on all devices and settings, as it'd be a 2.1 sound system (stereo format + a subwoofer). That would ensure you get the best sound, which would be uncompressed stereo for an optical system.

So Dune: Part 1 is a feast for the eyes, and the ears. Especially in the sound department: if you can, go the extra mile to see it in a Dolby Atmos cinema; and, for at home, at the very least, please get a soundbar. This is definitely a benchmark film, and it will be sure to satisfy a great deal of cinephiles, as well as sci-fi fans. To me, it lived up to and surpassed expectations in being a great film, as well as accurately adapting the source material.

From me, Dune: Part 1 gets a very-well deserved 9/10.
One of my favourite trips to the cinema since The Return of the King, which also includes The Dark Knight and some of Marvel's Infinity Saga films, among a few others. I will be sure to add this to my 4K library, hopefully as a SteelBook, depending on the look of said SteelBook. It will very likely come as a SteelBook, no word yet. That is how much I enjoyed it.

Bring on Dune: Part 2, and please see this so that Dune: Part 2 will be sure to happen, as well as Dune: Messiah.

The spice must flow.