'Dune: Prophecy' X review: Disappointed netizens dub HBO's prequel series 'off-brand cash cow' of the franchise

The highly anticipated HBO show Dune: Prophecy, a prequel to Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 film Dune,?has officially dropped its first episode! This new addition to the Dune universe, created by Diane Ademu-John and Alison Schapker, delves into the ancient history of the iconic franchise.?The show stars Travis Fimmel, Emily Watson, Josh Heuston, and Mark Strong in pivotal roles.

Dune: Prophecy is the latest extension of the beloved franchise, joining the ranks of Game of Thrones and the forthcoming Harry Potter series. The show delivers a visually stunning and narratively rich expansion of the Dune franchise; however, it lacks subtlety, something that many X users have pointed out.

Dune: Prophecy X review?

The first episode of the six-piece series has sparked a wave of reactions on X, and the initial verdict from viewers is overwhelmingly negative. Many users pointed out how the show is nowhere near what Frank Herbert had envisioned for the legacy of his Dune novels.

"Prophecy is a pale imitation of the real thing. It wants so desperately to be the next Game of Thrones that it poisons itself, rendering it as a weak addition to the Dune universe that Denis Villeneuve so carefully and painstakingly crafted in honour of Herbert's novels," one user added.

Another X user wrote, "Dune Prophecy is to Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films what Brian Herbert is to Frank Herbert Lacks all weight, scale, polish, and subtly So far I am extremely let down."

A third noted, "I enjoyed #DuneProphecy. Not as immersive or eccentric as the films, but it sets up enough to keep me intrigued by how sisterhood schemes unfold. Ep 1 felt similar to Dune 1 film comprised of current duneverse status, several conflicts + settings, and spooky space events."

"Dune Prophecy: the characters suck, the music sucks, there's no hook for the pilot episode, things are all too familiar, the robot wars were not convincing and seemed to rip off Horizon Zero Dawn robots, the sisterhood lady seems like the protagonist but is barely in the show? This is not looking good at all. Very disappointed so far," a fourth disappointed user wrote.

?"Feels cheap and dull. Uninspired. Like an off-brand cash cow. Hard pass. #DuneProphecy," noted another X user.

?However, some fans also loved the engaging narrative and the intriguing setting in the first episode as they expressed their excitement about how the events will unfold in the next episode.

One user stated, "The first episode of Dune Prophecy was solid. It's VERY interesting. Had me hooked. The CGI/visuals/cinematography are incredible. The story is very intriguing. The characters are solid. The show itself is solid. I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes #DuneProphecy."

"Okay, #DuneProphecy. Ep. 1. Good. Too much voiceover set up at the beginning. Not enough trust in the visuals to tell the story. 116 years after overthrowing thinking machines, everything is entrenched. The Imperium. The Sisterhood. Seems like there should be more chaos," mentioned another X user.

When will episode 2 of Dune: Prophecy be released?

Dune: Prophecy Episode 2, titled?Two Wolves, will be released on November 24, 2024, at 9 p.m. Eastern on HBO and Max.?

Have you watched the first episode of Dune: Prophecy? If yes, share your review with us in the comments section below.

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