In the year 10,191, the world is at war for control of the desert planet Arrakis—the only place where the space-travel substance Melange 'Spice' can be found. But when one leader gives up control, it's only so he can stage a coup with some unsavory characters.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 2 wins & 5 nominations total
Top Critics Reviews
rotten:
Several of the characters in Dune are psychic, which puts them in the unique position of being able to understand what goes on in the movie.
– Janet Maslin,
New York Times,
20 May 2003
rotten:
This movie is a real mess, an incomprehensible, ugly, unstructured, pointless excursion into the murkier realms of one of the most confusing screenplays of all time.
– Roger Ebert,
Chicago Sun-Times,
23 Oct 2004
fresh:
Dune is a huge, hollow, imaginative and cold sci-fi epic.
– Variety Staff,
Variety,
26 Mar 2009
rotten:
The problem is that the imagery isn't rooted in any story impulse, and so its power dissipates quickly.
– Dave Kehr,
Chicago Reader,
18 Jul 2011
rotten:
Most sci-fi movies offer escape, a holiday from homework, but Dune is as difficult as a final exam. You have to cram for it.