davidianbowley

Having seen the 1990s series I was aware of the basic storyline. Clearly the book is a classic but unfortunately this is let down in a number of ways.

The special effects to start with are terrible. The Pssammead is first introduced as it tunnels under the sand (think Tremors) and it looks awful. Later the children fly and it was very 1970s green-screenesque.

Then there's the acting. Michael Caine cannot do much wrong as a voice actor and Russell Brand is ok, the rest are terrible. It sounds awful to say about child actors but for a feature film it really wasn't great.

I don't know what the budget was, but I suspect after Caine and Brand there was nothing left.

Not the worst series going. Relatively light considering it contains so much infidelity and the odd tragedy. Basically every character in it sleeps with every other character. When a new character is introduced as a love interest of one of the main characters it transpires they have already slept with at least 7 other characters in the past, or if they haven't they will likely sleep with another within one episode. Wife enjoyed it though!