I love DUNE – as for the story itself, the world-building, the moral dilemmas, and the existential gravity draw me in and keep me hooked. The Denis Villeneuve films have been some of the adaptations I have seen of Frank Herbert’s original work. He was able to capture the elements of the saga that I love while imbuing brilliant cinematography, stellar performances, and a script that keeps the soul of the original book.
DUNE: PROPHECY is not based directly on any of Frank Herbert’s original six novels; instead it’s one of the many, many spin-offs (totaling 23) created by his son, Brian Herbert, and his son’s collaborator Kevin J. Anderson. I haven’t read the SISTERHOOD OF DUNE novel that this show is based on, but there’s a certain je ne sais quoi to Frank Herbert’s writing and diligent planning that can’t be easily replicated.
THE HIDDEN HAND was good – the characters are well-acted and interesting, the show is visually beautiful, and the story has a rhythm that I see a lot of potential in. But, all in all, I need to see more to decide whether or not DUNE: PROPHECY is of the same caliber as DUNE and DUNE: PART TWO. But in the meantime, I look forward to seeing the schemes of Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson), Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong), Arrakis veteran Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel), and Bene Gesserit inductee Princess “Nez” (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina) coming to life.
DUNE: PROPHECY is now streaming on Max.
