NOTE: This review contains no spoilers.

With futuristic technology, gaping fortresses, and terrifying sandworms, Dune is a retelling of a complicated story. 

The story follows Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet, who was born as a bright and gifted man. His father, Duke Leto Atreides, and his mother, Lady Jessica, have taken the planet Arrakis, also known as Dune, from the Harkonnens. During the Harkonnens’ rule over Arrakis, the House has been very cruel to the people there, known as the Fremen, and they were trying to dig out all of the melange, a rich spice found only in Arrakis. The Fremen can perfectly adapt to the harsh desert life of Arrakis, but others must wear special protection and not stay out for too long. Meanwhile, Paul keeps having dreams involving a Fremen named Chani, played by Zendaya. As the movie progresses, Paul starts to come into his power, realizing that he may not only be the powerful Kwisatch Haderach foreseen by the Bene Gesserit but also the religious savior called the Mahdi by the Fremen.

Timothée Chalamet is one of the most sought-after young actors of the moment, and he plays the role of Paul perfectly: he is young and charismatic, showing the power of Paul through his emotions. Zendaya plays Chani, a young woman we rarely see in the movie, only appearing in Paul’s visions and at the film’s end. Lady Jessica, the mother of Paul who accompanies him across a great journey, is played by Rebecca Ferguson. Overall, I feel that each actor is perfect for their role. The detailed characterization for each person pushes the plot forward and always keeps the audience engaged.

If you’re deciding whether to spend two and a half hours watching Dune, I would say yes. The director, Denis Villeneuve, does a great job of working in science fiction but also expressing the characters’ emotions.

I watched Dune in the comfort of my room on the HBO Max streaming platform, which I preferred to going to the theaters. I feel watching it at home doesn’t lessen the special effects as some contend is the best reason to watch the film in theaters on a large screen and in the company of other viewers.

As you watch Dune, you may think it drags a bit or wonder why Zendaya is barely shown, but this is just the first part where an introduction needed to happen. The ending is unsatisfactory but leaves us hanging for the second part, where what we’ve started will be finished. The first Dune truly was astounding, and I wouldn’t mind returning to the shifting sands.