|
The House of Atreides has emerged as a superpower of Dune's
planet Arrakis. However, the rule of the government is not
wholly universal, there are numerous corrupt adversaries,
the greatest being the fallen Baron Harkonnen who strikes
to regain control of his old Empire, Dune, with it's mystifying
life-force, and all it symbolises to the galactic order...
Children
of Dune is based on the second and third books in Frank
Herbert's Dune series, Dune Messiah and Children
of Dune. The
first thing worth mentioning is how much more money has been
thrown at this series than the original Dune mini-series
(which itself was impressive).
In
the first episode Edric of the Spacing Guild has to be about
the most impressive CGI alien to have ever graced a TV show.
But, sadly not all of the effects are up to this level. Effects
that aren't believable include the scene of the worm capture
- the water looks false as it cascades down the slopes. Also
the Caladan interior looks too reflective - no surprise to
discover that this was also constructed on a computer. However,
on the whole the effects are staggering. Not only that, but
the lighting and costumes are also impressive. The director
of photography has framed almost every scene as though it
was a photo in its own right - with atmospheric lighting (usually
of one of the primary colours).
Episode
two opens with a homage to Star Wars: The Empire Strikes
Back. A craft is almost swallowed by one of the Dune worms
in a scene not unlike the asteroid field scene in The Empire
Strikes Back. This was also one of the rare light-hearted
moments in the production, which at times is a little too
pretentious.
The
inclusion of famous stars (Susan
Sarandon, Alice Krige and Steven Berkoff) help to give this
a wider audience too. And their inclusion also helps to up
the acting stakes, which were a little ropey in the first
series.
Also,
apart from the fact they can charge more money, I'd love to
know why this has been spread across three discs? It would
have easily fitted on two DVDs. And
the only extra is a making of featurette, which for some strange
reason is on the first disc. As all the episodes are of equal
length wouldn't it have made more sense to have included this
on the final disc?
Put
despite these moans this is still an excellent collection.
If you liked the first series then you'll love this.
Darren
Rea
Buy
this item online
We
compare prices online so you get the cheapest
deal!
(Please note all prices exclude P&P - although
Streets Online charge a flat £1 fee regardless
of the number of items ordered). Click on the
logo of the desired store below to purchase
this item.
|
|
|
£29.98
(Amazon.co.uk) |
| |
|
|
|
£34.99
(Blackstar.co.uk) |
| |
|
|
|
£35.99
(Streetsonline.co.uk) |
All prices correct at time of going to press.
|
|
