I first read DUNE when I was 19 years old, during what I affectionately refer to as the summer of STAR WARS. I remember stumbling over the vocabulary, Bene Gesserit, Mentat, Gom Jabbar…referring to the glossary at the end of the book more times than I care to admit. But it soon became my favorite book of all time, and I voraciously consumed the original remaining five books penned by Herbert. (I only picked up his son's work—all of which were imminently forgettable—during the many long, sleepness nights I experienced during my cancer treatments.)
After the much-anticipated David Lynch version came out in 1984 (long before Heretics or Chapterhouse were published), I gave up all hope of the original novel ever receiving a big screen treatment in a manner worthy of the source material. I—along with so many others—feared it unfilmable.
That was, until Denis Villeneuve's version burst upon the scene two years ago. I had (and still have) some small quibbles with it, but by far this remains the most faithful scren adaptation we are likely to see in our lifetimes.
That being said, the trailer for Part 2 just dropped, and OH. MY. GOD. I knew Denis was promising so much more for this one, but these few scenes actually gave me chills.
November is just around the corner, and it may be the first time since Part 1 that I actually venture into a theater again.
If the film itself is half as good as what this trailer hints at, Villeneuve owes it to his fans to proceed onto Dune Messiah…although I am willing to wait until after he completes Rendezvous With Rama (another of my favorite books).
