Like most adaptations from book to film, this version of Dune sticks firmly with scenes from the book that are used, but misses the underlying ideas Herbert came up with. One reason for this failing is the inclusion of scenes, ideas, and technology patterned after things appearing in the later volumes of the Dune Chronicles that had been published when the movie was being made. The opening scene with the Emperor and the Guild Navigator�it�s not in Dune, but it�s very similar to the opening of Dune Messiah. Another problem is the use of things that were created entirely by Lynch�hello, weirding modules (the sound guns).
A lot of significant things from the book were left out, leaving many viewers confused. Dr. Kynes (Max Von Sydow) is implied to be one of the Fremen (people living in the desert), because no answer is given because Lynch left the reason why out. And if you�re wondering how a bunch of screaming guys riding on giant worms can beat an army with space ships and lasers, let me say Lynch forgot to say why the Fremen won the climactic battle.
There are a few good points about the film as well. Lynch accurately captures Herbert�s narrative style�complete with internal monologues�along with the multiple settings�water is always present on the planet Caladan, Geidi Prime is highly industrial and dirty with pollution. For their age, the special effects are good, be it the strange technology or the bizarre monsters. Several impressive performances stood out, especially Sting as the evil Feyd-Rautha and Patrick Stewart as the wise Gurney Halleck.
For all the ridicule aimed at David Lynch, his version of Dune, though lacking at times, keeps the style and many major plot elements for the book intact, leading to a couple of hours of simple�yet strange�entertainment.
