Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Possibly the Best On-Screen Portrayal of Herbert's Vision
Director Greg Yaitanes miniseries creation "Children of Dune" is possibly the best on-screen rendition of any of Frank Herbert's sci-fi novels. Taking up the story where director Frank Harrison's 2000 miniseries "Dune" ends, "Children of Dune" is based upon two of Frank Herbert's books: "Dune Messiah (Dune Chronicles, Book 2)" and "Children of Dune (Dune Chronicles, Book 3)". The story begins on the planet Arrakis 12 years after the victory of Paul 'Muad'Dib' Atreides over House Harkonnen and Padishah-Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV. Muad'Dib not only became the Emperor, he also becomes the focus of a personality-cult religion. He married Princess Irulan Corrino, but his love remained with Chani. Several actors returned from the first "Dune" miniseries to play the same roles in "Children of Dune": Alec Newman as Muad'Dib (and does so far better than in the first "Dune" miniseries under Yaitanes' direction), Julie Cox as Princess Irulan Corrino (now the wife of Muad'Dib), Barbora Kodetová as Chani (Muad'Dib's concubine) and P.H. Moriarty as Gurney Halleck. Several different but well-known actors assume other characters: Lady Jessica played by Alice Krige (remembered as the Borg Queen in the 1996 film "Star Trek VIII: First Contact"), Wensicia (sister of the deposed Padishah-Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV) played by Susan Sarandan, and Stilgar was played by Steven Berkoff. Chani dies after giving birth to twins: a boy and a girl, who are named Leto II and Ghanima. However, Paul, now physically blind, does not stay to raise them. Instead, he abandones his position as Emperor and wanders into the Arrakeen desert. Alia (Daniela Amavia) becomes head of state until Leto II is old enough to rule. Time is shifted forward again, and the twins, who grow faster than normal humans, appear as young adults. Leto II (James McAvoy) and Ghanima (Jessica Brooks) are raised by both Alia and Irulan, but many are plotting against House Atreides, including Wensicia. Many are also concerned about the greening of Arrakis that is harming the worms, the makers of the spice; but Leto II has a plan that he calls the Golden Path. Also, everyone must tread carefully around Alia who slowly goes mad, seeing delusions of the dead Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (replayed by Ian McNeice). With a much larger budget than the first "Dune" miniseries, director Greg Yaitanes was able to create a far more extravagant and realistic portrayal of the story. Gone is the overuse of surrealistic lighting, but the less than realistic stillsuits remain in use. Actor James McAvoy does a stellar job creating the character Leto II, but the women in "Children of Dune" often take center stage and are each well acted. Though it is not perfect and uses some artistic license, I rate "Children of Dune" with 4.5 out of 5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars.
Rating:  - Fine adaptation of an SF classic
This sequel to the mini-series "Dune" combines action from Frank Herbert's novels "Dune Messiah" and "Children of Dune." Paul Muad'Dib (Alec Newman) has taken control of Arrakis, but all does not go as planned. He has become the figurehead for a violent revolution that is spreading across star systems, various conspirators are gathering against him, and the greening of Dune is playing havoc with the traditional Fremen way of life. His children, Leto (James McAvoy) and Ghanima (Jessica Brooks), are destined to play pivotal roles in the complicated machinations for control of Dune and its spice.This is a handsome production with mostly impressive special effects. The acting tends to be rather wooden, as a great deal of dialogue is given over to exposition about the various complex maneuverings that are ongoing throughout the story. However, if you enjoy complicated stories full of scheming and strategizing among the powerful, as well as an impressive, fully realized alien milieu, you should find something to enjoy here.
Rating: - 'Children' a fantastic epic...
Children of Dune is in many ways a perfect sequel. While the first Dune mini-series was quite a treat, it was a bit rough around the edges. Children, however, is so polished it shines.
Both the acting and the writing is superb, with only a few scenes bordering on less-then-excellent, and with a few superlatives in the acting department who truly breathe life into their characters (James McAvoy, Julie Cox). The direction is much tighter than in the first series, with its own sense of style and grandeur. The costumes no longer look cheap and flat out absurd. The sets are bigger and better, and in combination with the much improved visual effects, truly bring Arrakis to life (though they are still far from perfect). The music is more moving, more epic, and far more integrated into the film than in the first.
Children isn't perfect, however. Some of the actors stumble through their lines at times (as many are not native speakers of English). The special effects still suffer from a TV budget (the contact timing between Alia's blades and the discs during her practice session is very off, and the tigers were not as polished as the environments). Children is severely lacking in action, and unfortunately the DVD is often listed in the 'Action' genre. Like the books, Children has small, short sequences of action, and vast, complex dialogues and endless political intrigue; those with a short attention span, this film is not for you. And finally, Frank Herbert's story was overly complex in itself; the books themselves were rough and confusing in places, and failed to tie loose ends at times. Sadly, the film suffers from the same flaws; characters often reduced to cameos, never fully as fleshed as they should be.
Despite all this, however, Children of Dune is a great success. The story truly does come before everything else. All parties involved clearly dedicated themselves to making as perfect a film as possible, and the attention to details and passion behind Children is evident. These qualities, often lacking in modern movies, shine through above all minor flaws, and make it a joy to behold.
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