The Spice Must Flow!My thoughts on the three Dune movies they have made.
Frank Herberts Dune book is one of the best books I ever read.I can't really explain why,the themes that book weaves are complex and therefore when put to the screen don't translate very well.The book is a science fiction tale about a boy who becomes a god to sufferring people on a desert planet,he is also the product of genetic engineering,and he becomes emperor of the universe at the end.Along the way the book deals with politics,religion,commerce,feminism,family,betrayal,self doubt,the list goes on and on.In short the book is hard to desribe and you really need to read it to understand all the things it is exactly about.
Two attempts have been made to put the classic novel on film.Both are good efforts,but both fall short.First we have the 1984 theatricle version of "Dune" directed by David Lynch.Secondly we have the Sci-Fi channel miniseries titled "Frank Herberts Dune" so people won't get it confused with the first movie,which I think aired in 2000.
The first movie got many things wrong but I often hear it was approved by Frank Herbert and I also hear it was plagued with many problems.The film is very long and also very confusing.It has annoying internal monologues,unnecessary hairstyles(no doubt inspired by the eighties Star Wars craze)and the movie left many parts on the cutting room floor so we go from one part of the story to another more quickly than Frank Herbert intended,but word has it studio exec's demanded parts be cut to accomate a decent running time,and they didnt even get THAT!There are a couple of ways to make sense out of this movie.The best way is to read the book first,the second is to watch it ten times until you understand what it going on.It is THAT confusing.However I do have to give it credit for capturing the epic mood the book seems to be trying to convey.
The sci-fi channel did a lot better with their version as far as accuracy to the source is concerned but it dosent capture the epic scope,and the cast and acting is lesser but that is to be expected from a TV movie.The special effects are not as good as the first movie but they are DAMN good for a TV miniseries and they were able to do things with CGI that could not in the 1984 version.The costumes are also often laughable and they expand the character of Irulan for no good reason.For the life of me,I don't understand what her characters actions are expanded for.It just seems totally unnessary.
There is one thing I feel the miniseries got right.The enemy family the Harkonenns are much more respectable and developed in this than they were in the 1984 version.
Recently they have released yet ANOTHER Dune movie.This one is called "Children of Dune" and is based on the second and third Dune novels of the Dune chronicles,"Dune Messiah" and "Children of Dune."This is without a doubt the best of the Dune movies.First appearring on the Sci-Fi Channel as a miniseries this one had everything the first miniseries lacked.Respectable special effects,no ridiculous costumes,and best of all,a catchy hummable soundtrack.It does deviate from the books,as the first two do,but the adaptation decisions made here were for the best.Even Alec Newman,who I thought was horrible in the first minseries shines here.The kid who plays Leto II is cool and Jessica Brooks,who plays Ghanima is hot.I hope to see more of her.I highly recommend the DVD of this for Dune fans. Until next time,remember the spice must flow!
