It seems that everyone involved took a long hard look at the first miniseries and really learned from their original mistakes. The grandeur of the open desert which was painfully missing from the first one is there, the sets are more realistic and functional. the special effects are in most instances completely seamless and the acting has vastly improved. Alec Newman was a passable Paul Atreides in the first one, in this sequel you get the impression that he has really understood the character and and is far more at ease playing him. Alia is stunningly gorgeous and almost exactly as I imagined her after reading the books and the two kids are convincing, although Ghanima's makeup is a bit odd at times. Stilgar and Duncan fit perfectly and Jessica is at least Saskia Reeves match. Only Susan Sarandon plays things a bit over the top, but not terribly so. Usually sequels are inferior to the original, but this is the exception to that rule. I truly hope Sci-Fi plans to release another feature packed DVD set and more importantly, intends to film the other books in the series. Though not as absorbing as the first books in the series, they do have their moments and with some effort could be made into something at least as good as Children of Dune. Congrats to all involved.
Review of Children of Dune
