嘿,美洲狮! It’s nice to be back at the movies in some capacity compared to last year. Even us cats are happy to be back in a dark room with a bunch of strangers and overpriced popcorn. Thanks to vaccine rates and cases slowing, there have been some great theater releases in the past year.

沙丘 (2021)

沙丘 是一部名副其实的科幻史诗。 It follows Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) finding his destiny as his family takes control of the planet Arrakis, a major source of the spice, a vital resource for this futuristic society.

Now, I went into this as most viewers likely did, knowing nothing about the book by Frank Herbert or the 1984 David Lynch film but knowing its basic premise. This meant it took me a minute to get into the groove of the story. However, leaving the theater I felt like I knew everything and more about the world of this film, and I was probably more immersed in this film than in any other one I have seen. Knowing this film only adapts the first half of the original book, I was captivated by every aspect and couldn’t wait to see more. 每件事都有目的和意图。 The director, Denis Villeneuve, shines here and — having seen some of his other work — I can tell you he hasn’t missed yet.

这部电影的一大亮点是表演。 Every actor in this movie gives their all, especially Chalamet. He acts with poise and gracefulness that couldn’t have been achieved by another actor. Paul’s mother, played by Rebecca Ferguson, also shines, her performance completely captivating.

Villeneuve crafted a world unlike any other, and to attempt to compare it to anything else is unfair. The world of 沙丘 is elegant and grand, consisting of an empire and several houses in an aristocratic society. The production design only adds to it, from a high-class palace on the Atreides homeworld to the desolate home of the villainous Harkonnen. There’s a set-piece on Arrakis that stands out to me specifically.

Overall 沙丘 is something viewers have to experience for themselves. It’s a thrilling story that feels truly timeless and knows exactly what kind of impact it will have. Its performances are spectacular, and the world of the film cements itself as sophisticated and clever. It is a true spectacle, and with the recent announcement of a part two, you can bet there will be lines outside the theater to see it on opening night.

满分10分

永恒 (2021)

Before her best picture win for Nomadland, Chloé Zhao was booked for Marvel Studios’ latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), 永恒. The film is a centuries-spanning story of near-immortal beings on a mission to eliminate the fearsome Deviants from earth and help humanity achieve their potential. Being a Marvel fan myself, I was excited to see how Zhao would make this movie her own and bring something different to the table.

The film begins with the 永恒 fighting a Deviant in 5000 B.C. in Mesopotamia, and right away it’s clear these characters are extremely significant to the future of the MCU. They’ve been on earth for thousands of years, and the chemistry among the actors is believable for the most part. Each one contributes to the family dynamic at the center of the story. The standouts for me were Gemma Chan (《摘金奇缘》, Barry Keoghan (绿衣骑士), and Lauren Ridloff (AMC’s 《行尸走肉》). With Ridloff being the MCU’s first deaf superhero, as well as another being the MCU’s first major LGBT+ representation in the film, it’s important to note the impact this diverse cast will have in the future of mainstream superhero movies.

布景是影片的另一大看点。 Zhao chose to move more toward shooting on-location rather than mostly with a green screen for the outdoor sequences, and the film feels more authentic and natural. It also enhances the action sequences, making the viewing experience feel more entrancing than in most other MCU films (notably the most recent 复仇者 movie, which had its final act shot completely on a green screen-laden soundstage).

While these positives helped me enjoy the film, it suffers from a muddled and slightly convoluted story. It feels as if Zhao was constrained in the script, which was co-written by herself, Patrick Burleigh, and Ryan and Kaz Firpo. There are character moments and elements I wish were explored a bit more; however, the film feels as if it needs to steer itself to the next big action scene instead. The comedy doesn’t always land either, feeling out of place at times in a film with such a serious tone otherwise.

Overall, 永恒 is a worthy entry to the MCU, and I enjoyed watching it, but it feels like there may have been more to explore.

满分10分

前面的评论是听写给金沙博彩的学生娜迪亚·阿兰的。 Collin College 新闻 appreciates her assistance.