carrick55

I found the IMDB score of 5.4 way off the mark and distinctly ungenerous. I wonder if it that reflects the film was made in 2003 and went straight to TV?

The actors are not just good (some real stars) but on form. The dialog was never going to win an oscar but is interesting and engaging; it even has some moments of quite pithy intelligence. The plot is nicely paced and well developed, if predictable. I liked the cinderellla formula, a bit idealistic but gritty enough not to seem too easy. The characters are nicely drawn, detailed, varied and each finds their own voice. The production values are good, and beat hallmark standards out of sight.

RECOMMENDED.

All star cast on top form, top notch production values. But the dialogue, florid emotionality, weak characterisation, simplistic decisions, unrealisitic interactions, childishness even... they are too flagrant to disregard; it is especially bad around the High officers, Bene Gesserit, government and Palace scenes. It was also very disappointing that several protocols and etiquette, choices of form and attendance were facile and cheap.

If you can concentrate on the good, it is worth watching, as what is good, is VERY good. It has good continuity with the lore. It many important and well detailed characters. It has an intruiging complex plot with all sorts of clever twists. The narrative is interesting, dense and very nicely paced to keep you engaged and busy keeping up.

But the flaws make this the very model of weak writting. But not all the dialogue is bad. As for the rest: Wow! Glorious in every other respect.

Critics had a very different view of this to me. I'd like to think that whatever you think of it, you will agree it is it is glorious, entertaining, improved by its all-star cast, beautifully produced, original, the narrative is dense, twisted and paced to keep you engaged!

So I've seen complaints:

It is not coherent: I disagree. The sci-fi premise is new without a ready made complex IP to prepare you. I thought they spent quite alot of time doing a good job of world building.

Its characters are two dimensional: I can see some might have been better developed, but carried along as I was by the entertainment, I was content with the trade off for what was packed in instead. And alot was packed in.

It was formulaic: Much is and that's because these recipes work. Why twist this into something it isn't? It works; I'd say works very well, as it is.

This film is packed with lovely esthetics. The art creator deserves more recognition! The CGI is seamless. The original designs and concepts are really impressive.

I bought the DVD for my collection. I have rewatched it. I liked it well enough to be glad I can rewatch whenever I feel the need for one of the most epic Cinderella stories ever told.

RECOMMENDED (without hesitation)