Frank Herbert's Children of Dune: Sci-Fi TV Miniseries (Two-Disc DVD Set)
Conspiracies abound inChildren of Dune, Sci-Fi Channel's praiseworthy miniseries sequel toFrank Herbert's Dune, loyally adapted from the Herbert novelsDune MessiahandChildren of Duneby John Harrison, who passed directorial duties (due to a scheduling conflict) to Greg Yaitanes, a 31-year-old TV director andDuneneophyte tackling his biggest assignment to date. Uninitiated viewers face a disadvantage; it's best to readHerbert's booksand/or see the first miniseries before plunging into this remarkably coherent tangle of political intrigue, unfolding 12 years after the events ofDune.To his horror, Maud'Dib--Arrakis emperor Paul Atreides (Alec Newman, reprising hisDunerole)--has become the unintended figurehead of a violent dictatorship, and his enemies are multiplying. Vanishing into the desert, he waits as destiny shapes his twin heirs Leto II (James McAvoy) and Ghanima (Jessica Brooks), who must contend with their scheming aunt Alia (Daniela Amavia) while Princess Wensicia (Susan Sarandon), of the enemy House Corrino, plots her own attack on Maud'Dib's familial empire. Exiled Atreides matriarch Lady Jessica (Alice Krige, giving the film's finest performance) returns to Arrakis, where the enormous, desert-dwelling sandworms face an uncertain future. As always, the spice must flow, and the universe's most coveted commodity remains at the center of this richly detailed and physically impressive production. Special effects range from awesome (fly-over shots of the capital city, Arakeen) to awful (the saber-tooth tigers look likeJumanjirejects), andDunedevotees will endlessly debate the miniseries' strengths and weaknesses. Some may desire more action to punctuate the film's inherent verbosity, but consensus will surely conclude that this isDunedone right, with monumental effort and obvious devotion from everyone involved.--Jeff Shannon