A Film can be labeled as a 'Bad Film' and that label never leaves.
Just look at Madame Web.
Or famous Films that are only known for their 'badness' like Ishtar or Waterworld.
Is it really bad though?
Let's look at a topical one- 1984's Dune by David Lynch (or Alan Smithee in the Credits)
It cost a fortune.
It had studio interference.
Its own Director had his Credit taken off of it. Even to this day, he's not sure if a 'Director's Cut' could be made, since he 'sold out too much in the process.'
Is it bad?
There's no getting around it.
My DVD has a Guide to the words and phrases. I thank them.
Pro: While not done with any subtlety, the Film does explain it all.
You get the key ideas- Freaky things can warp Space. People have ships and fancy Titles. Spice is key.
Pro: Our Hero is Kyle McLachlan aka Paul Atreides. He's as relatable as a Magic Space Prince can be.
You get the key ideas- Freaky things can warp Space. People have ships and fancy Titles. Spice is key.
Con: Lots of talk- in narration and spoken- about him being special.
They eventually get around to showing it.
Pro and Con: More importantly, they have Sting and his famous speedo.
That and he says 'I *will* kill you!'
Pro: An interesting setting - the Planet where all of the Spice- that powers the freaky monsters and does, well, everything plot-related- is mined.
That and he says 'I *will* kill you!'
Pro: We saw how Paul is unique, since he seems to know more than he should.
Pro: The Planet has Sand Worms. Even considering the time that the Film was made, they look great.
They use mostly-practical effects here and only the digital stuff shows seams, as it were
Do talk about these enough?
Pro: A dramatic Plot turn (or 3)!
Betrayal in his own House leads to the Duke- his Father- being killed and him forced to flee into the Desert.
It's a good hook- can him and his Mother survive?
Pro: They thrive. The Film sets this up nicely, slightly fast forwarding a bit here (even in the Extended Cut).
Mom becomes a Psychic, gives birth to a super-baby (aka Alicia Witt) and Paul becomes the Leader of the Indigenous People, mastering 'The Voice' and is able to control Sand Worms!
He lives up to his hype shuts down the entire Spice Trade!
Con: A minor one, but we hear or see little from The Emperor before he comes across the Galaxy to deal with these things.
Pro: We see a great battle from this- that what Paul wanted)!
He summons and leads the biggest damn Sand Worm you've ever seen in for the final battle!
He gets revenge for his Dad by taking out the other House's Leaders.
Sting's boasts are not backed up and he himself is killed.
Pro: Ascendency is achieved.
Paul is Muab'dib and is the rule of Dune!
What's Good?
The Film looks great. I'm not even watching the HD Version.
They clearly spent lots of money on this and the Design Work is great.
They clearly spent lots of money on this and the Design Work is great.
The Acting is really nice as well. It could easily be silly- and it gets close sometimes- but it works.
The Scope is nice. The Film feels massive in scale and important.
In spite of inspiring so many other Stories and Films, Dune feels unique in many ways.
What's Bad?
As I said, the Film walks a fine line between being so self-important that it feels silly. Throw in so many odd-sounding names (especially to those- like me- who haven't read the Books) and it can be a bit much.
The Film- in the Extended and Theatrical Cuts- relies alot on Narration to tell who people are, what is happening and why it matters?
It's Show, Don't Tell- just not her.
It's Show, Don't Tell- just not her.
Understandably, some of the optical effects- Rear Projection and the like- aren't seamless in 2024. Kind of understandable though, I think.
It's also not clear why she's Narrating the Intro (in the Theatrical Cut). To be fair, a nameless Computer spends NINE MINUTES Narrating the Intro in the Extended Cut. Yikes.
Is It Bad?
A qualified No from me.
I'm not familiar with the Books, so any changes or tweaks aren't known by me (outside of general research), so bear that in mind.
This Film has an infamous reputation, but it's a fun, if dense as sheet rock, experience.
More Is It Bad?!? coming down the line. Keep an eye out.
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