he Omen' works because it's 'Game of Thrones'

Palace betrayals, wild eroticism, dark conspiracies…

Denis Villeneuve’s two films are preceded by a long-awaited series called ‘Dune: The Omen’ set ten thousand years ago. But watching it, one might think Warner’s plans for this type of production were always there, since it clearly references HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones‘.

Five years searching. Five years have passed since ‘Game of Thrones” controversial finale, and the trauma was double. First, the finale disappointed fans, breaking the series’ promises from previous seasons. Second, a race began to find “the next ‘Game of Thrones’,” which has yet to be realized but has offered us intriguing approaches like ‘The Witcher’ or ‘House of the Dragon’. Our anxiety persists as we search for “the new ‘Game of Thrones’.

New throne contender. The pseudo-medieval intrigue series that will succeed George RR Martin’s creation. ‘Dune: The Prophecy’ brings together the very special features of Frank Herbert’s universe, which we explained in detail at the time: we live in a cosmos without cutting-edge technology because men and machines fought a bloody war. After humans won, artificial intelligence was banned, which set back technology, even though space travel is common.

Houses at odds. Herbert and Martin’s work are so similar that it seems Martin adapted elements from ‘Dune’ to his liking. In both cases, a central power (the Emperor in ‘Dune’, the king in ‘Game of Thrones’) attracts important houses that compete for its favors and give their resources to keep the empire going, avoiding, provoking, and manipulating wars. Betrayals, palace gossip, dubious first-degree relative relationships, unbridled eroticism, and occasional violence spice things up. Even giant worms and dragons can shift power.

A difference. The Bene Gesserit, a group of powerful women who manipulate the bloodlines of the different houses to produce a future messiah, are the real protagonists of ‘Dune: The Prophecy’ (as they are in Villeneuve’s films, but more in the shadows). Paul Atreides will appear, but ten thousand years earlier, Emily Watson, the Mother Superior of the Bene Gesserit, must keep the Emperor’s favor despite a soldier with strange powers who was swallowed by a worm on Arrakis. Thus, the innumerable shadow powers matter more than the court and its inhabitants.

Good timing. HBO will be stringing together a series of promising franchises that have produced successful series if Dune: The Prophecy succeeds, as everything suggests. House of the Dragon, whose second season is popular, ensures Game of Thrones’ survival. The Penguin proves DC properties can be profitable if exploited. And now Dune: The Prophecy, which boldly announces that Warner has another successful franchise after Villeneuve’s films.

A disturbing portrait of its protagonist, ‘Dune: Part II’ avoids spectacle cinema clichés.
We can rest assured that this article is spoiler-free before the comments flood in, like Shai-Hulud on a rampage, telling us how terrible it is to drop spoilers before ‘Dune: Part II’ is even out. The story of the hero who turns evil is as old as humanity, as the trailers, posters, and story itself suggest. Ask fallen angel Lucifer or the ‘Star Wars’ prequel trilogy.

However, Dune II is the start of a story that may be concluded in Dune Messiah, a third film based on Frank Herbert’s second volume of the saga. We can expect changes because the founding novel’s ending differs from this new film’s for some characters (be discreet). Dune is clearly about Paul Atreides, and we are seeing the creation of a dark character.

In ‘Dune’, a distant future with a medieval feel prevails due to a purge of artificial intelligences that is not mentioned in the film. The Emperor’s designs pit multiple houses against each other, with the Atreides and Harkonnens standing out. They fight over the desert planet Arrakis, where the Spice comes from and the Fremen, sand warriors, live.

The Emperor’s blessing allows the Harkonnens to enter House Atreides’ domains and kill almost all of their rivals’ lineage in ‘Dune’ Young Paul Atreides, the House heir, and his mother survive. Her religious order, the Bene Gesserit, wields power in secret. Her goal is to make her son the Kwisatz Haderach, a genetically perfect chosen one who can see the future and bridge space and time. The Fremen, who believe in the prophecy, welcome Paul and his mother to Arrakis, where their destiny begins.

Path of Paul Atreides
If the first part of ‘Dune’ laid out Frank Herbert’s complex universe, this second part develops themes hinted at in the first. The Bene Gesserit, perhaps the second part’s best, most suggestive, and most disturbing part, are a religious power that hides behind ancient beliefs and prophecies they created to control politics.

he Omen’ works because it’s ‘Game of Thrones’

Palace betrayals, wild eroticism, dark conspiracies…

By nr39r

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