Watch Kids' Reviews of
DUNE: PART ONE

I absolutely love Dune! It is a thrilling attention-grabbing adventure that creates a connection you would never expect. It opens your mind up to a whole new world that you never knew existed.

This film follows Paul (Timothee Chalamet), the son of the most noble and respected family on their planet, Arrakis. Forces from all over the galaxy, as well as theirs, are fighting for necessary resources, as well as power, in hope of someday finding the one who can stop time.

The director of Dune, Denis Villeneuve has created one of the best films I have ever seen. The camera work and the angles used are extremely insightful and satisfying. For example, when the actors are climbing up the dunes, it's almost as if we are following right behind them. The camera doesn't show us what is at the top until the characters themselves get there. This makes you feel as if you are actually there with them. It creates a suspense that I've never experienced before. Also, the digital and visual effects are out of this world. You fully feel as if you are there with them every moment. Every single sword fight and burst of fire encompasses the entire room and fully transforms your experience. The cast is terrific! For example, the relationship between Paul and his mother (Rebecca Ferguson) shows some of the most raw and real love between a mother and son that I've ever seen on screen. They fully embody their characters and their relationship with each other. Furthermore, I love the character Chani (Zendaya), who is mysterious and intriguing. Zendaya's work never fails to impress me, and I love her role here. I also really enjoyed the bond between Paul and Duncan. They have such a strong friendship that feels so genuine, and gives such a positive effect on the audience. The wardrobe, hair and makeup are all top notch. Every costume is so personalized for each character. All the outfits that Rebecca Ferguson wears are so intricate and unique. She has many wardrobe changes, while still staying true to her character. This is something that was cool to see in such an action packed movie. The hair and makeup are also executed extremely well. They are simple, but intense and give you the feeling that these characters do not live on earth, but they still feel human at the same time. The eye makeup that most of the characters wear, is natural looking and yet created an alien-esc look.

The message of this film is that if you can conquer your fear, then you can conquer anything. This film does include violent scenes, including blood, stabbings and bombs.

I give Dune 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18, plus adults. Dune releases in theaters October 22, 2021.

By Mikella G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

I love Dune. This film is almost like an introduction to a great story. When at the end Zendaya's character says, "This is only the beginning," the foreshadowing tells me that there will hopefully be a sequel.

Dune is an exceptional film directed by Denis Villeneuve and adapted from the original sci-fi novel, written by Frank Herbert and published in 1965. Fans of the 1984 version directed by David Lynch - and newcomers to Dune -- will be fascinated to see Villeneuve's incarnation. I absolutely love the cast, cinematography, CGI, makeup and many other aspects of this film.

The film takes place on an unfamiliar desert planet, Arrakis - the world of Arrakis is breathtaking. I love the culture of the planet, such as the languages they speak, the homes the characters live in, and, of course, the makeup and costumes have a huge effect on the aesthetic of this planet. The story centers on a young man named Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) who has an important role: His family is responsible for mining a very valuable and powerful spice, which is the most precious element on Arrakis. As the story unfolds, it's easy to be captivated and mesmerized into the illusion that you as the audience are with the characters on Arrakis. At times, though, I felt I was almost missing parts of the story. Since this is an adaptation from a book, a lot of information has to be left out, and I left the theater wanting to know more about Arrakis. I also felt that the beginning is a bit slow and most of the action in this film takes place near the end, although that isn't a huge issue for me.

Now let's talk about the acting and this great ensemble cast with Timothee Chalamet in the lead role and his peers: Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Jason Momoa, Oscar Issac and many others. I've been a huge fan of Timothee Chalamet for a long time and this is one of his best performances to date. I love his character - you can really see how at the beginning of the movie he is a vulnerable yet strong boy who eventually stands his ground and knows his place. I also love Zendaya's performance; throughout the entire movie I was waiting to see her appearance. I also love Jason Momoa's character, another one of my favorites. Finally, Oscar Issac and Rebecca Ferguson work really well together and deliver very engaging performances.

The costumes are very detailed and intricate which bring out fascinating elements of the planet. And the cinematography (by Greig Fraser) and visual storytelling is so beautifully done and goes in perfect sync with the production design. It's important to acknowledge Hans Zimmer who composed all the music since his score brings the sci-fi storytelling to life.

The message of the film is we all have a purpose, we should find our own voice and destinies and true empathy is as powerful as blood lineage in our world.

I give Dune 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 14 to 18, plus adults. Dune opens in theaters, October 22, 2021 and I highly recommend seeing it in IMAX if you can.

By Zoe C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

Dune is mind-blowing! The musical score by Hans Zimmer is so dramatic and so fitting for the movie and the cinematography is breathtaking. The costumes and locations are so perfect for the storyline that it transports you to 8,000 years into the future.

Dune takes place in the year 10,191 and tells the story of Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet), who is a young man gifted with great powers and a great destiny. The Emperor sends the House of Atreides to the planet Arrakis, aka Dune, to harvest the rare spice that gives prowess, prescient, and the ability to navigate deep space to whomever eats it. Harvesting the spice is a dangerous task as they face the harsh desert, giant sand worms, and the much-feared Fremen, who are native to Arrakis. However, as they find out shortly after arriving on Arrakis, the Emperor sent them there as a part of his plot to destroy the House of Atreides. Be ready for a cliffhanger!

Dune is based on the book Dune, by Frank Herbert. Although you don't need to read the book, doing so will help fill in some of the background details. I cannot express how beautiful the sets and costumes are. They give off an almost Star Wars feeling. The movie helps one imagine what life might be like in the very distant future. The musical composition is mesmerizing as it has a very primitive and futuristic sound all entangled. The acting is excellent. The strongest performances are from Timothee Chalamet, who plays Paul. His portrayal of Paul's struggle to find himself and live up to his family name is very visible. Rebecca Ferguson plays his mother. Her portrayal of the wise and powerful Lady Jessica steals many scenes. Additional noteworthy performances include Oscar Isaac, as Duke Leto Atreides, because he masters the balance of playing the stern ruler and caring father simultaneously. Jason Momoa's portrayal of Duncan Idaho really shows the friendly connection his character has with Paul.

This movie reveals a story of conflict between two powerful parties in a powerful way. There are some visuals of war, fighting and death that make this unsuitable for younger views, plus some profanity.

I give Dune 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It is available in theaters and on HBO Max October 22, 2021. I recommend you see it on the biggest screen possible.

By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

From the acting, cinematography, sound effects and visual effects, Dune is a masterpiece! Many people have tried to bring Frank Herbert's novel, Dune, to the big screen, but Denis Villeneuve may just have finally pulled it off. The collaboration between Villeneuve and composer, Hans Zimmer is a perfect combination that really helps make this film one incredible experience.

Dune follows protagonist Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), the son of a noble family who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to protect the most valuable asset and most vital element in the galaxy. He is born with mystical powers that he doesn't really understand and, throughout his journey, he has to learn how to use it in order to be successful and face his fears. After having reoccurring dreams of a mysterious girl who is trying to save her people from those who are trying to take over, he eventually ventures onto her planet and has to save his family, people, the most precious resource on earth, and himself.

The casting in this film is like no other. While almost every character is important, some of the main ones are Paul Atreides (Timotheée Chalamet), Chani (Zendaya), Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), Duncan Idaho (Jason Momoa), Leto Atreides I (Oscar Isaac) and Baron Vladimar Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgard). One of my favorite characters is Paul Atreides because he is a kindhearted, strong character who cares about everyone. He is also very relatable in the ways he is still trying to find his way in life. The film takes place on a desert planet called Arrakis, which is a hot and dry planet that resembles the Sahara desert. The audience will get sucked in with incredible visual effects such as the sandstorms that swallow up anything in its path. They are one of the highlights of this film. The cinematography of the film takes you on a journey on its own. Dune is truly a work of art and could easily be the movie of the year. It is a must watch, especially for "Dune" fans.

The message of this film is to not be afraid to face and conquer your fears. Paul is constantly having to try new things and can only be successful when he faces his fears. Parents should be aware of scenes with extreme violence and also know that this movie has runs two hours and 35 minutes.

I rate Dune 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for kids ages 13 to 18, plus adults. Dune is available in theaters and on HBO Max October 22, 2021. I highly recommend seeing it in the theaters to get the full experience.

By Tiana S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

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A mythic and emotionally charged hero's journey, Dune tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet's exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence-a commodity capable of unlocking humanity's greatest potential-only those who can conquer their fear will survive.