DanishAjumma

Nothing is perfect. Or perhaps perfection includes an element of imperfection to truly stun! I WAS stunned. But also annoyed.

I read the books, of course. Or most of them. At least what is covered by part 1. Its way back in the past, but the movie felt loyal to my faint fond memories. Jessica, in parts, aside. I do not remember her character being quite so trembling.

The hardware, especially the harvesting equipment, also brought back happy memories of playing Dune II (a lot) in the 90s. Again, a movie that both feels loyal to the source and loyal to its own interpretation of it is a both rare and beautiful thing.

The standoff scene between Paul and the sandworm stood out as a highly constructed Hollywood poster moment. Silly. Forgivable.

However, the real flaw is the music. Very much Hans Zimmer and very much not a good fit.

Something more subtle and organic (which for some reason I picture includes an Arabic drum) would have conveyed the grandness of the wait for the Messiah, the pain, the worms, the dunes...the everything...so much better.

My Ajussi is far, far, FAR from the average Korean TV drama, though the vital part of longing and lingering feelings runs as deep as ever in this dark, brutal and beautiful story of love. Lived. Lost. Abandonned. Found.

The drama is gifted with strong characters. Also in the supporting roles. All struggling and wrapped in the curse and poetry of daily life filled with dark corners and moral choices.

From the perspective of a Scandinavian viewer, the story is told with a strangely familiar "Nordic Noir" grip and is definately some of the best Korean drama I have ever wiewed. Adding that I have viewed a lot.