Dune, Space Sweepers, and spoiler panic
Galaxies near and far, plus the changing boundary of what constitutes a premature reveal
Hello!
On this week’s episode of Criticism Is Dead, we discuss Dune and Space Sweepers, two space operas set against the backdrop of the powerful elite exploiting people and planets.
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03:50 Dune, playing in theaters and on HBO Max, is a masterful adaptation of a complex story long considered unfilmable.
Pelin has read the book. I have not. Take it from both of us: Dune is a good movie.
Denis Villeneuve has done a fantastic job molding Dune in his vision. Through sweeping vistas, immersive sound, and exceptional costuming, he has created a convincing and compelling world. Excellent pacing stacks incredible sequence upon sequence; great performances anchor the story, its mythology, and the action. Somehow, this film has made the seemingly impossible impossible: unfolding the complexities of Dune without losing new viewers or tiring old fans. As one of the former, I can’t tell you how effortless it is to keep up with the story and this world, which is a huge feat, given its source material. Looking forward to the next installment!
P.S. Here are the two pieces on Dune that Pelin wants you to read.
32:27 Space Sweepers, streaming on Netflix, has some good elements, but ultimately squanders its potential as the first Korean space blockbuster.
There was a lot that could have been built into something great: the concept, the world building, the Western/outlaw nature of it (hello, Cowboy Bebop), the timely themes it was attempting to explore. And, okay, fine, the found family trope actually worked, the little girl was adorable, and the bright, textural grime of the visuals was pretty jazzy.
But the writing was, to be frank, a bit of a mess, leading to a plot that somehow managed to be both convoluted and totally predictable. Add in barely sketched-out tropes of characters, and you get a film that falters more than soars.
41:59 Plus, culture notes about fans and studios/networks becoming increasingly fussy about spoilers.
Bonus links
A wonderful tribute to Peter Scolari on Girls.
Squid Game (2021):
Succession (2021):
That’s it for now! See you next week.
— Jenny
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Some credits:
Music: REEKAH
Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu