Dune: Prophecy

I've been looking forward to Dune: Prophecy ever since I first heard about it. Then I saw the trailers and my excitement grew even more. Well, after seeing it I can say that it without a doubt lived up to my expectations. Your expectations have to be realistic though, if you're expecting something as perfect as the Dennis Villenueve directed films then you're going to be disappointed, but if you go into it just expecting a perfectly paced, fascinating series that will keep you thoroughly invested every episode then you'll love it. The world building that takes place and the attention to every detail is as good as it gets for a tv show. This series is best watched binged because I can promise when you finish an episode you can't wait to start the next. You're not going to want to wait a week between episodes, it's that good.

The makers had done their job pretty well by making each episode as interesting as to be excited for the next one, the characters are on the same position for me as much as i loved the story line throughout the each episodes, But there was an exception in finale where i felt all earlier 5 episodes buildup was nothing to be concluded completely but just tell you wait for the years to get the proper pay off to what they started (They could've easily added more episodes, this is not the way how you end a season), not even antagonist and protagonist were concluded for what builded up for....

i'm not completely mad as i am left with the memory of good storyline and characters, every time i watched an episode it was a ride of intense emotions and was connected to all main characters.

So it's 7.8/10 for me.

DOUR. So dour. Everyone glowering intensely at everyone else. Characters absolutely crippled by the artificial "weight" of how "important" what they are doing is. How do we know it's important? Because the characters state their aspirations right away, and what they aspire to is the way things are in the present of the movies. Wow. Profound. I wonder if it's going to work out in the end??? Remember Game of Thrones? Realistic people doing their best in the horrifying world, trying to find some semblance of meaning, purpose, maybe love? Joking and chiding each other like real human beings do? Remember characters being believable people? Why does every premium show have to be completely humorless and rigid? We get it, the implications are vast. We get it, setting up the world of Dune is "important." Look, I'm a huge fan of the material and the new movies. But even in those they chide each other. "Stilgar is from the south. You didn't notice his accent?" They freaking relax for two minutes! You can't expect me to tighten up and stay rigid for the entire series. There has to be a rhythm to it! Ups and downs. Intensity and levity. Inhale, exhale. Life!

It was nice to watch something again from the "Dune" universe and I think it was a good idea. The show is good and high quality. But honestly it was not like I expected. I was waiting for something different, hard to explain. Even if it was not what I expected, the quality is clear. Acting, atmosphere, effects, everything is good. The show is a bit boring. I am a person who can watch slow movies easily, but even for me it was too slow. The story felt a little boring. Acting performances were great. Only Chloe Lea looked weaker among the other amazing actors and actresses, and that made her less believable, but everyone else was great.

It feels like something is missing in the show. One of these missing parts is music. One of the best things in "Dune" movies was Hans Zimmer's amazing music. Here, the music was weak and not memorable. I also did not like the opening theme, it could be more iconic.

I almost felt forced to watch it, just to understand the "Dune" universe better. The topics are a bit confusing, but anyway, it is still clearly high quality.

The first episode of Dune Prophecy, HBO Max's new foray into the world of Frank Herbert's universe, unfortunately feels drab and uninspired. Despite its ambitious source material, the episode struggles to capture the charm and depth that make Dune so beloved.

The most glaring issue is the editing. The pacing is wildly off, with scenes feeling rushed and lacking the breathing room necessary for tension or atmosphere to develop. In their effort to cram too much story into a single hour, the episode becomes a chaotic barrage of nonstop dialogue, sacrificing narrative flow and engagement. Moments that should have felt significant are undercut by hurried jump cuts, leaving little room for emotional or thematic resonance.

Visually, Dune Prophecy suffers from a continuation of the grey, industrial aesthetic seen in recent Dune adaptations. The set and costume design feel sterile and monotonous, failing to evoke the intricate, lived-in feel of Herbert's universe. This lack of visual and atmospheric variety diminishes the sense of wonder and alien grandeur that Dune demands.

Perhaps the most disappointing aspect is the lack of effective world-building. While the episode focuses heavily on expositional dialogue to set up the plot, it neglects to establish the world itself. The intricate political and cultural dynamics that define Dune feel shallow, and the absence of atmospheric "vibes" leaves the setting hollow and unengaging.

In the end, Dune Prophecy struggles to strike a balance between exposition and immersion, resulting in an episode that feels more like a rushed summary than a compelling introduction to the series. Without significant adjustments to pacing, editing, and world-building, it risks losing the essence of what makes Dune such a rich and enduring story.