Oscar Isaac, star of Denis Villeneuve's upcoming science fiction epic, Dune, believes that the film is an unparalleled "cinematic achievement." The film itself is an adaptation of Frank Hebert's iconic novel of the same name which originally released in 1965. Herbert's Dune is perhaps one of the most influential works of literature in the past century, having influenced countless other iconic fictional properties such as Star Wars and Game of Thrones. Now, Villeneuve is attempting to bring the novel to life with a modern retelling of the classic story.
Villeneuve's film will be the third live-action adaptation of Herbert's novel. David Lynch was the first to take a stab at a cinematic adaptation in 1984, though the final result was a mixed bag and highly divisive among both fans and critics. In 2000, the Sci Fi Channel attempted its own interpretation in the form of a three-part television miniseries. While the series was somewhat better received, it still faced many of the same criticisms that Lynch's version did – namely regarding the indulgent use of expository dialogue to explain the intricate politics and mechanics of the universe. However, if the film's advocates are to be believed, Villeneuve has struck the perfect balance with his own adaptation.
In a recent interview with film critic Kevin McCarthy, Isaac was effusive about Villeneuve's film. Isaac asserts that Dune is a "cinematic achievement" and that he believes the film to be "a masterpiece." Check out the actor's full comments below:
Dune deals with many complex subjects, ranging from intergalactic politics to religious fanaticism. As such, the book was long thought to be unadaptable as a live-action onscreen narrative; especially given the fact that both the 1984 and 2000 adaptations had been unable to overcome the challenge of balancing overbearing exposition with narrative. Despite this reputation, Villeneuve seems to have crafted a cinematic interpretation that sidesteps these pitfalls. Perhaps the director's decision to split his adaptation into two parts played a role in its apparent success.
Whatever the reason may be, Villeneuve was clearly the right person for the job. From the outset of Dune's production, he has been outspoken about his passion for the original novel. Furthermore, Villeneuve's resume of previous sci-fi films (especially Blade Runner 2049) have proven that the director can effortlessly strike the delicate balance between intricate world building and satisfying storytelling. With a little over a month until the release of Dune, audiences won't have to wait long to be swept away into the desert wastelands of Arrakis.
Source: Kevin McCarthy
