Rating: 
Summary: Beyond comparisons and into new territory
Review: The toughest thing about 'Frank Herbert's Dune', presented on the SciFi Channel in 2000, was that all Dune fans knew, just KNEW, there'd be comparisons made between it and David Lynch's theatrical release. Although the strong casting, new-found special effects and costumes made Lynch's version a film to be reckoned with, it still felt unbalanced and lost amidst the deeply textured background world that Frank Herbert created. The 2000 miniseries gave us more of the actually pages of Dune translated to the screen, but it's acting, costumes and special effects were lacking. So, to my surprise, what should appear but a new miniseries with reprising roles and some new cast members for Frank Herbert's Children of Dune on the SciFi Channel. Goodbye comparisons. We entered new screenplay territory since no theatrical version of any other Herbert novels has ever made it out to the public. A wonderful presentation, Frank Herbert's Children of Dune combines the Dune Messiah and Children of Dune novels into this new miniseries and does so with one graceful motion. Well, almost graceful. I don't know WHY the SciFi Channel feels the need to keep a "big name" in these films. William Hurt didn't aid the first miniseries with his 'Hurtful' acting. Likewise, I felt Mrs. Sarandon did nothing to aid in the release of this film/mini. Her character was cardboardish and dull. No action involving her at all. Nothing that seemed to help move the storyline along. Uncharacteristically (and thankfully) Alec Newman reprises his role as Paul (and the new Preacher) and does so with powerfully strong acting (the exact opposite of what I saw from him in the original miniseries). Julie Cox was wonderful as Irulan, Jessica Krige excellently portrayed an aging Lady Jessica, and James McAvoy WAS Leto II. Jessica Brooks balanced the role of Ghanima perfectly by playing Leto's twin sister. And Daniela Amavia was P-E-R-F-E-C-T as the possessed and tortured Alia (preborn sister of Paul). She's also quite an atractive lady. The costumes (thankfully) were also 'toned-down' a bit, so the large head-dresses and triangular suit attachments are gone. The budget for the special effects were increased (to great advantage). Loved the worms, the thopters, Alia's temple. Wonderful cinematography utilizing blue screens. And the BIG shocker: the musical score! Brian Tyler! You the man! A true triumph as far as scores go, the music presented in this miniseries is sure to make the soul soar, or plummet into the Great Erg as appropriately presented by Mr. Tyler's score. This miniseries is the new 5 star TV production for the SciFi Channel, and rightfully so. A presentation worth owning...on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Wow! This is great!
Review: I love this miniseries! Congatulations on Greag Yaitanes for making the ultimate miniseries! I loved the Dune series, thebooks, the imagination, everything. THe first DUne miniseries was quite good.And this one is also is very good. Te plot fits very well with the book. Grapics are pretty good, and there are no more backround walls anymore (thank goodness), the music is very well done and matches with the miniseries very well. I Especiall loved the first prt(DUne Messiah). My favorite part of the film in the first part was the part that Chani was giving birth to LEtoII, and the execution of Korba, and Edric. The music that part fits VERY WELL in that part. THe miniseries is ver emotional and touching. THIS IS THE BEST OF ALL SCIFI!!!
Rating:
Summary: Nice little touches
Review: This was simply a fantastic miniseries and while it may not be 100% true to the books, it was close enough. The difference is simply a requirement of a switch from a textual medium to a film medium. By far and away the best scene in the series is the chess scene. Leto and Ghani are playing chess and a frantic pace, how better to show (rather than tell), the audience of the two character's prescient abilities. The scene is made even better by Alia's smashing of the game and Leto's slow reconstruction of the board amidst the intense anger of Alia. "Checkmate"
Rating: 
Summary: This movie weaves a rich tapestry of scifi fantasy.
Review: I saw it on the scifi channel and was extremely impessed by it. The music is extremely good and the effects are first rate. To people not familiar at all with the lore of Dune it may seem confusing at first, but they should catch on. Quite a show!
Rating:
Summary: This miniseries deserves an Emmy
Review: Reading the novels, I tend to get bogged down by the philosophical aspects. However, the miniseries helps to clear away some of that and get down to the meat of the story. What especially deserves an Emmy is the part at the end of the first part (the "Dune Messiah" episode) where Brian Tyler's excellent musical score complements the montage of Chani's giving birth to the twins, the assassinations of the Reverend Mother, the Guild Navigator, and Korba.
Rating:
Summary: All-Time Dune Fan
Review: The movie was great, it was an excellent follow-up on the original, and portrayed the books with as much accuracy as possibly for a Dune movie. Once again, I loved this, and the original movie.
Rating:
Summary: Totally Breathtaking
Review: From the start of the mini-series you realise that your in for something a bit special. I've been a fan of Dune for many years and in my view this far surpasses both the David Lynch version of Dune and the Dune mini-series. Gone is the wooden acting, bad effects and silly costumes and in comes exactly the opposite.
Breathtaking visuals, amazing script and some truely brilliant acting from this ensemble cast combine to make something that drags you into the world of worms, spice and fremen and makes you want to stay for as long as possible.
Rating:
Summary: An awesome way to appeal to new fans.
Review: Before I saw this series I had tried to watch the first SciFi Dune miniseries, but I was not able to follow the story well, and lost interest quickly. I also had not read the books, and before this series came on, my husband encouraged me to at least start reading Dune. I was nearly halfway through Dune when I sat down to the first installment of this miniseries. It helped a little to have a bit of character backgrounds, but the thing that drew me in again and again was the great visuals that this series offered. The intrigue was also a big draw, and fed my desire to read the novels even more. I have to agree with the other reviewers that Alice Krige (Lady Jessica) puts in a great and wonderful performance. She has the perfect balance of humanity, and caring, and imperiousness that I think Lady Jessica would have had. After seeing her in this role she is the Lady Jessica I see in my head when I read the novels. If you are a science fiction fan, especially if you are a Frank Herbert/Dune fan, this should be a must see for you, and a welcome addition to your video collection.
Rating:
Summary: A new Dune's fan!
Review: Oh my, I LOVE THIS MOVIE and i'm not a science friction fan. my husband thinks i'm obessed abd crazy, but i looooooooooved this movie when premiered on SCIFI channel. The cast, the music....can't say enough about it. I am buying the original DUNE and this one on DVD
Rating:
Summary: Astonishing
Review: As a fan of the Dune Series, I was truly astonished at how
incredibly well this miniseries represented Herbert's books.
I was prepared to enjoy it no matter what, but the quality of
the acting/production/costumes/storyline(s)was truly beyond my
wildest expectations. Alice Krige truly was the brightest star in the universe of
Dune. She does not have to utter or word or lift an eybrow to
speak volumes and convey endless emotions. Not surprising,
considering her past acting (most notably "Ghost"), and the Borg
Queen. I believe she has always been Hollywoods most well kept
secret. She never seems to age; such an etheral beauty. Delightful! By no means does this diminish the other cast members of Dune.
All so well cast. Alia's madness evolves in her incredible eyes;
Leto Atreides seems made for the part. Susan Sarandan seemd to
enjoy her role enormously! Gurney was so well cast; conveyed
the perfect combo of loyalty; bravery and the kind of person all
of us wish we could have as a friend. And Duncan...sigh...hated
when he was killed in the book, but hated it 100 times more in
the film. So well cast. One can only hope that the Dune Saga will continue on Sci-Fi and
that we see Alice Krige again; whether it be Dune sagas or some
other film. Hat's off to all involved in this production; I've not appreciated a film more!!
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