Dune - The scoop and digest

After Alejandro Jodorowsky's project was notoriously abandoned in the 70's, David Lynch adapted Frank Herbert's literary masterpiece in 1984, which director subsequently disowned.

Anyway, Denis Villeneuve adapts Dune World.

Timothée Chalamet - Paul Atreides

Rebecca Ferguson - Lady Jessica Atreides

Oscar Isaac - Duke Leto Atreides

Jason Momoa - Duncan Idaho

Stellan Skarsgård - Baron Vladmir Harkonnen

Stephen McKinley Henderson - Thufir Hawat

Josh Brolin - Gurney Halleck

Javier Bardem - Stilger

Sharon Duncan-Brewster - Dr. Liet Kynes

Dave Bautista - Glossu Rabban

Summary

Year 10191.

The Fremen inhabit the remotest regions of Arrakis and share hostile desert landscape with giant sandstorms dubbed the Shai Hulud.

Having been exposed to Spice for so long, native tribe are characterised by blue eyes, or the Eyes of Ibad.

They see Spice as a sacred hallucinogen which preserves life and brings enormous health benefits.

In contrast, navigators of the Imperium's Spacing Guild use Spice to travel safely between stars.

Without Spice, interstellar travel is impossible, making it the most valuable commodity in the universe.

At Caladan, the Emperor orders House Atreides to take Arrakis back from sworn enemy the Harkonnens.

Under the tutelage of Gurney, Paul is prepared for battle.

An epic adventure of loyalty, betrayal and destiny unfolds.

Worth every Solari

Spectacular and gorgeous, a splendid time is guaranteed for all.

Ensemble cast are generally excellent and Chalamet and Ferguson lead proceedings superbly.

Hans Zimmer's hypnotic score fits like a glove and pacing is spot on.

Planet hopping never makes our heads spin and even for noobs, lore is fully digestible.

Brilliant.

Once Paul and sundry land on Arrakis (which makes Tatooine look like a children's sandpit), wide shots are nothing short of jaw-dropping.

It would be foolhardy to expect all out action, but set pieces deliver when they have to.

Of all the visual splendour, dragonfly inspired Ornithopters had me purring the most.

I absolutely loved how wings beat exactly like the insects spaceships were obviously based on.

My only slight criticism is that sandworms only appear for a few minutes.

'Part One' only tells half the story and it would be a travesty if Part Two remains in our dreams.

For now, enjoy on the biggest screen possible.