This week, the HBO Max streaming service delighted science fiction fans with the premiere of the series “Dune: The Prophecy.”
This is an attempt not only to expand the universe of Frank Herbert’s cult novel, but also to transfer the magic of Denis Villeneuve’s films to the small screen. The events take place 10,148 years before the birth of Paul Atreides – just to give you an idea of the scale.
Of course, we couldn’t pass by such a premiere. We watched the beginning and are eager to share our impressions. Spoiler – everything is not so clear.
It wasn’t easy to please fans of the original films.
What is the series about?: Dune: The Prophecy is a prequel to the events of the main Dune storyline, which tells the story of the formation of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood, an order that controls the destinies of the great houses of the galaxy.
Events take place 10,000 years before the appearance of Paul Atreides and immerse viewers in a world of intrigue, political games and the first steps towards the creation of a powerful organization that will change the balance of power in the Empire.
Dunes, directed by Denis Villeneuve, has become a standard-bearer for science fiction, bringing visual magic and epic scope to audiences. Each frame is a real work of art. The landscapes of Arrakis, the monumental space frigates and the majestic, frightening desert worms were all breathtaking.
The films showed not just the story of Paul Atreides, but a complex world with its politics, philosophy and religious themes. The balance between the personal history of the characters and the scale of the universe was perfectly balanced.
Hans Zimmer’s music and soundtrack also created an incredible atmosphere, completely immersing the viewer in the world of Arrakis.
What did we, accordingly, expect from the television project? He needed to combine the spectacle, depth and richness of the world established by films with a format that allows television shows to tell stories in more detail. And everything seems to be in place, but there are nuances.
There is a complex narrative structure here, you will have to delve into it
Dune: The Prophecy plunges us into the distant past of the universe – 10,148 years before the birth of Paul Atreides. Set shortly after the Butlerian Jihad, humanity’s war against thinking machines that changed the world by banning technology and making human abilities the basis of civilization.
The main storyline sees the Harkonnen sisters, Valia and Thula, strive to transform the Bene Gesserit from a fledgling order into a powerful force capable of manipulating the great houses and shaping the future of the Empire.
Through flashbacks, viewers are also shown the events leading up to Valia’s rise as the leader of the order, including the role of her mentor Rakella and the creation of a genetic library to control the dynasties.
The series’ timeline is complex but interesting, as it charts the beginnings of familiar elements of the Dune world, from the first manifestations of the Voice’s ability to the beginning of the conflict between Houses Harkonnen and Atreides. Political intrigue, manipulation, and power struggles within the Empire lay the groundwork for events that will unfold millennia later.
This extensive backstory helps explain how the great houses, the Bene Gesserit Order, and the Empire came to be what they are in the main story.
There are no heroes here that you want to worry about
Like Game of Thrones, Dune: The Prophecy is built on complex political intrigue, betrayal and power struggles. It has everything: ambitious leaders, secret conspiracies, spies, cunning marriage alliances and, of course, bloody clashes. Everything we love.
The series invites viewers to immerse themselves in the struggle for influence between the great houses, the Empire and the Bene Gesserit, with each side seeking to use every opportunity to achieve their goals.
But there is an important difference: in The Prophecy it is difficult to find a character with whom one could sincerely sympathize.
Game of Thrones gave viewers heroes like Ned Stark, Tyrion and Jon Snow, whose moral qualities stood out against the backdrop of general cruelty. There is no such figure in Dune: The Prophecy. Valia Harkonnen, although the main character, is primarily driven by a lust for power and manipulation.
Even her noble goals quickly turn into cold-blooded calculations. The rest of the characters – from Emperor Javicco Corrino to Desmond Hart – are also shown through the prism of their ambitions and personal interests.
This makes the series darker and more realistic, but robs the viewer of emotional attachment. We watch the intrigues from the outside, like a game of chess, where each piece acts only for its own benefit. This approach reflects the spirit of Herbert’s novels, where politics were always more important than personal stories, but it also makes the series less emotionally engaging for a wider audience.
In other words, despite its rich world and intriguing plot, the series lacks characters you actually care about. For a viewer who is alien to gloom and the absence of bright figures, the series may seem too dark.
The series is visually inferior to the films, was there not enough budget?
The visual component is one of the main reasons for the success of Denis Villeneuve’s films. His “Dune” set an incredibly high bar: large-scale locations, majestic deserts, monumental ships and luxurious scenery. Dune: The Prophecy, despite its obvious efforts, falls short of this level.
The series, although it looks expensive for TV, was forced to use more closed spaces and CGI. You can feel it: the scenery is less monumental, and the space scenes and ships have lost their epic quality.
While the films were breathtaking with the desert landscapes of Arrakis and its sandworms, the series spends most of its time in dark corridors, throne rooms and training rooms. This creates a feeling of intimacy, but deprives the viewer of the opportunity to feel the grandeur of the universe.
Is it worth watching the series? Yes, but there are conditions
Be sure to watch the series in one of three cases:
1. If you’re familiar with Frank Herbert’s novels, Denis Villeneuve’s films, or other adaptations, the series will be a great addition for you. It delves into mythology, revealing the origins of the Bene Gesserit, their methods, rituals, and role in governing the Empire. This is a chance to learn more about the world of Dune, which has always remained multi-layered and mysterious.
2. If you like series in the vein of Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon, Dune: The Prophecy will offer a similar atmosphere of intrigue, betrayal, power struggles and behind-the-scenes manipulation. Politics comes first here, and every action of the heroes leads to serious consequences.
3. If you love thoughtful storytelling, where every line and detail is important to pay attention to, Dune: The Prophecy is perfect for you. Here the action progresses gradually, with plenty of dialogue and exposition to help you understand the complex world.
Pass by…
1. If you are not familiar with the films or books, the series may seem overloaded with characters and terms. This is not an independent work, but an addition to the franchise.
2. If you are looking for action and light cinema, this is not your choice. There is more intrigue and conversation than large-scale battles and spectacular scenes, which may disappoint those who are accustomed to dynamic plots.
The series is interesting as an addition to the franchise, but does not live up to Villeneuve’s masterpieces. Its dark tone, complicated timeline, and lack of relatable characters make it more of a niche project for fans.
I am sure that HBO will work on the mistakes and we will see better and more exciting next seasons of the story. The series has a lot of potential. We believe.
Source: www.iphones.ru
