Dune Review: 7 Ups & 3 Downs

4. The Meticulous World-Building

One is tempted to say that the story is actually the least interesting thing about Dune, because Villeneuve does such a fantastic job building this world - this universe, even - and making the audience feel richly immersed in it.

Sci-fi at its best can transport viewers to somewhere they couldn't possibly envisage on Earth, and that truly is what Villeneuve has done so masterfully here.

As we're flung around various planets and diverse locales, Villeneuve makes the world of his movie feel so thoroughly real and lived-in, rather than a series of obviously artificial soundstages and green screen sets.

Selling the world of any would-be franchise to the audience is vitally important, and for all of its scripting flaws, Dune will likely leave most wishing to see more of this lush, expansive world.