7 out of 7 people found the following review helpful:
Sequel not to be missed.
Gareth from Stockport,
17th January, 2005
The original SciFi mini-series 'Frank Herbert's Dune got me into the whole Dune 'universe' in the first place which is why I was keen to see this sequel. While I've read the original Dune book I was only halfway through reading Dune Messiah when I decided to watch this so I had some idea of Herbert's immediate 2 sequels. The special effects and acting are a vast improvement to the original mini-series with a much larger budget to run with. Alec Newman's performance is vastly improved and much more commanding as Muad'Dib/Paul Atreides. James McAvoy (of Early Doors fame) is superb as Leto II, Muad'Dibs son. The story begins 12 years into the reign of Muad'Dib's reign as Emperor of the known universe with Arrakis (Dune) as it's capital. The Jihad continues. Across the universe his fremen hordes and his fanatical priesthood subjugate the peoples under his dominion and his religion and is creating him many enemies. The changes on Arrakis turning many of it's regions into lush green lands are turning many of his previously loyal Fremen against him. As Muad'Dib tries to distant himself from the messionic myth he helped to create his concubine, Chani, conceives twins. After an assasination plot fails but leaves him blind, he disregards his Imperial duties to return to the desert only to see his beloved Chani die in child birth. Realising his legacy is now in the hands of his newborn children he disappears into the desert, blind. In doing so he leaves power in the hands of his sister, Alia (brilliant performance by Daniella - sorry can't remember her surname). Driven mad and ultimately possessed by her Grandfather, Atreides sworn enemy, Baron Harkonnen, her family and loyal subjects are driven away one by one as she wreaks merciless revenge on the Fremen who now oppose her. I won't give any more away. It's a great story and it's well told however it lacks the mysticism and sheer scale of the original, not neccessarily the fault of the producers. The screenplay is good and stays as close to the novels (as far as I have read) as possible. The real winners here are the effects and some superb performances. Definately worth watching especially if you liked the first mini-series and/or the books.
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