Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Exceptional!
I have read Frank Herbert's Dune series and waiting impatiently for it to be filmed. I got to see the David Lynch version--which Frank Herbert supposed helped create--and was stunned by its stiffness and gernerally proding story. Years later, when the director's cut was released, the movie played a lot better...but not better than this version.This version is extraordinary. I have watched it 3 times and each time I reveal in the beauty and excellent story telling. This is the book come to life in front of you! The people contributing to the film are first rate. I enjoyed the character transistion of Paul--and this most of all made this movie click for me. Paul matured in this film version. He goes from spoiled only kid to forceful leader and hero. This version of Dune also brings to life the book's original narrator and observer. Princess Irulan is wonderfully cast and this character's contribution to the overall story is fantastic. I wish the makers of this version consider taking up some of the additional stories of Frank Herberts Dune--ChapterHouse was by far the most thrilling and imaginative! I applaud SciFi channel for its original programming and willingness to take a SciFi's grand master's epic and turn it into quality visual entertainment!
Rating:  - Caveat spectatior. (Yes I know it's not proper Latin...)
I'm sorry to say, I've read (like Kyle MacLachlan) Dune every summer from the age of 16 on, and I simply like David Lynch's vision a lot more than the SciFi channel's. I'll be the first to admit that it wasn't exactly like the book (and though it was closer, SciFi's wasn't either), but there are certain glaring problems with this edition. For one, with all of the money that went into special effects, you'd think SciFi could pay to get a bigger set. The matte painting's edge can clearly be seen at the back of the 10X10 meter set. As if the technical problems (which extend far beyond the size of the sound stage) weren't enough, the acting is truly sub par. Is one looks to the David Lynch version, not only do we see a movie filmed mostly in the deserts of Mexico, we see it starring a wonderful array of actors, all of whom were at their prime. As well, tacking on Frank Herbert's name to the SciFi version of the film doesn't make it his work. If one reads interviews from the early 80's, you'll see that Herbert was working along side Lynch, and approved of the script. Why oh why did SciFi then go and spend oodles of money to ruin a perfectly good legacy? Ah yes, the "newer = better" theory. What a disappointment. Ah well. The movie's made, and so is its almost blasphemous follow up. Watch at your own risk.
Rating:  - Never read the book and seen the movie before!
Perhaps I'm among those who haven't got the chance the see the original movie. I haven't even read the book! So my review is totally based only from this mini series.The story itself is really okay. Although it supposed to take place some thousands years ahead but the storyline is close to reality these days. Dune is about politics, survival, war, love, conspiracy, superstitious, competitive advantage of the spice (okay let's say monopoly), etc etc. It's all there and the storyline flows perfectly, although I got little bored in the last 90 minutes (episode III). Perhaps that's what happened when you tried to watched the whole 4.5 hours in one evening. The actors and actresses are okay, although only William Hurt is the only well known actor. The others played their part well. I'm not very comfortable with Paul's wife (who's her name?). At first she's a strong character. I was hoping she could be Paul's righthand, but in the end I have to realize she has responsibility to her family/ child. Another character who I hoped could be important was Idaho, The Duke's righthand and Paul's best friend. He only appeared thrice before he got killed during the ambush. Another character I liked is the Princess. She's beautiful, smart, ambigious, etc. I thought she could be on par with Paul, on the empire side of course. But after I watched the interview with the Director and everybody, I just knew that this character didn't take part on the book. So the expanding character is definitely only in the movie. What a good job. I also love Julie Cox, the princess. I was surprised when I read her biography saying that she once stayed and learned acting in my hometown, Jakarta Indonesia. Paul's mother could be exploited more. Especially with the relationship with the Empire's Reverend Mother. They are not just like a mother with her daughter. It's more than that. When Paul's mother escaped with Paul and joined the desert people, I thought the emotional bond between her and Reverend Mother could be exploited. Something like Ben Kenobi and Luke Skywalker in Star Wars. The interior designs of the emperor's castle, the duke's castle, the designs of the ships, the design of the costumes are outstanding! Especially the desert airplane that looked like a fly. Very innovative. Overall I love this mini series. I promise myself to buy this DVD in the future.
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