Rating: 
Summary: Why this is better than the 1984 movie.
Review: What can I say? It's all already been said, but I just wish to reinforce that this miniseries follows the book MUCH more closely, has a much better developed storyline, and is just generally better.When viewing the original movie for the first time, it's a big disappointment if you've just read the book, and makes no sense if you haven't read the book. The miniseries delivers the story very well for anyone, even those who have never before read any of Herbert's material. Good show!
Rating: 
Summary: I love it!
Review: I own this DVD and have watched it multiple times. It is a wonderful movie that compliments the book very well, but at the same time, stands on its own. Newcomer Alec Newman is wonderful as Paul and I think we eill see great things from him in the future. William Hurt is wonderful, as usual. This is a movie that imerses you in a wonderful world. It is only the beginning...The saga of Dune is far from over.
Rating:
Summary: Excellant
Review: A very good rendition of the book. Like the original movie, the movie did not stick to the book. However, it illustrated elements of the story that the original movie did not. Additionally, it drew elements from the Frank Herbert's son's prequels which I found particularly interesting. Overall, it was well done. The acting left a bit to be desired. I found it corney in some places. Nevertheless, for Herbert fans, this is a worthwhile must see.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing, once again
Review: It is with a heavy heart that I write that, once again, an adaptation of Dune fails to live up to expectations. While overall better than David Lynch's version, there are even some problems with this version that the 1984 film did not have. The most noticeable of these problems is the fact that the entire mini-series does not feel like a cohesive story, but rather like a collection of scene recreations. As soon as one is recreated, I can just imagine a group of set-strikers saying, "Okay, that's over with. Let's get on with the next one." One of the major problems with this approach is that it makes said sequences feel less important than they are. Take, for instance, the pain box sequence. Somehow, the meaning of the scene is lost; it just happens and then it's over. (A lot of this could have to do with the loss of dialogue explaining how the gom jabbar kills only animals and the implications of the fact that Paul passes the test.) I also felt this way during such sequences as Jessica's changing of the water of life and the scene where Paul learns to ride a worm. There are also some inaccuracies that are for the worse, such as the scene where Chani cries over the death of Dr. Kynes. The Fremen do not cry because it is a waste of water, and not placing this emphasis on the sacred nature of water truly detracted from the characterization of the Fremen as a people. And speaking of Dr. Kynes's death, Herbert gave any filmmaker a perfect device to explain how exactly he dies with the inclusion of Kynes's hallucination of his father, who explains the pre-spice mass just before it kills him. I'm certain that having Kynes just exclaim "The pre-spice mass!" just before it exploded left many who hadn't read the book scratching their heads. Characters were also unsuccessfully drawn for the most part. For instance, I didn't even know which character was Dr. Yueh until the scene in which he is revealed as the traitor. (At least the actor playing him made an effort to seem conflicted about what he was doing in this version.) I also felt the extension of Princess Irulan's character was unnecessary. While it was not a bad idea, it took time away from other more important story elements that could have been expanded upon. I could go on and on, but I'll stop here, so as to save on the length. While I'm not completely certain that any film adaptation of Dune would live up to my expectations--even if I had complete creative control over it myself--this is most likely the best we'll get. Due to the ratings and the critical acclaim, I don't think anyone will see a need for another version anytime soon.
Rating: 
Summary: It's terrible!
Review: You just look at Paul, his mother and the reverend mother Gaius Helen. The actors say proper words, do proper moving etc, but they're not what they trying to pretend to be. Would you believe that this pimply guy is Muad'dib? Well, maybe you would. But not I :) Look at Kurosava's "Seven samurai" to see how what real actors should be. Duke Leto and old baron in this movie weren't that bad, but I couldn't watch it to the end, it was too much to ask of me.
Rating:
Summary: Not perfect, but admirable
Review: I am a big fan of Dune and when I heard about this movie I was excited. When I finally watched it I enjoyed it immensely, though it is apparent that there are a few flaws with the film. The first is simply that in trying to keep true to the book, John Harrison had to cram in a lot of information in a short time (if you can call 265 minutes short), and in doing so has made some parts of the movie incomprehensible. The scenes where the Duke and Paul meet Dr. Kynes and when Yueh is revealed as the traitor is revealed are two standout examples; you have no idea what the big deal is about Paul knowing how to work his stillsuit and the fact that Yueh is the traitor has no value because he's in the film for all of five minutes prior. Because of this flaw, I recommend that you read the book before watching the movie, but even if the flaw wasn't there I would recommend you do that. The second flaw is the acting. William Hurt does a good job as the Duke, but there are a few times where a bit more emotion and less mumbling would have helped. Alec Newman starts out a little too whiny as Paul, but gets much better as time goes on. This is mostly the jist of it; all of the actors do fine, but everyone has a moment or two of unbelievability. This is mostly understandable considering the movie's length, but it can sometimes disrupt a scene. Third, the visual effects. It's here that you can tell the film's budget and origin most. With a few exceptional moments, the CGI in the movie is not up to par with theatrical movies, but considering that this was television film, that is understandable and entirely forgivable. What is not so forgivable, however, is the exteriors. The backgrounds in nearly all of the outside scenes are so unbelievably fake that it detracts from the overall scene. I can understand budget concerns, but if you must change something, make sure you change it with something that works! Despite these flaws, however, this film is still worth it. The story is absolutely amazing in its epic scope and implications and is nearly worth the cost itself, though in that case you'd be better off just buying the book. However, as an avid reader I can tell you that I get much excitement out of seeing my favorite characters and scenes brought to life, and the movie does a good job at that. All the important scenes are here and intact. The interior sets are eye-popping to look at, especially the palace at Arrakeen and the Imperial palace. And sometimes the special effects surpass their theatrical counter-parts: the space shots of the heighliners are phenomenal, the worms look great, and the scene where Paul shows Jessica what he can see after drinking the water of life sends chills down my spine when she turns toward the camera with those glowing eyes crying, "Paul! I can't go there!" I also thought the knife-fighting sequences were choreographed well. Basically, it boils down to this: if you approach it as a film released theatrically, you might be disappointed. But if you approach it as what it is, a tv miniseries released on video, then you will be pleasantly surprised. After all, they did only have a $20 million budget when theatrically they would have had over $100 million. If you can understand that, then you can make an informed decision as to what you want to do with it. PS: For the DVD, I would only give 3 stars for while it is widescreen and comes with a few extras, there could have been so much more. The trailers that aired on the Sci-Fi Channel and some audio commentary would have been nice. But the picture and audio are crystal clear, you can easily get to any part of the movie you want, and the treatise by Vittorio Storaro is very interesting, so the DVD is still a lot better than the tape.
Rating:
Summary: Dune Review
Review: I liked the 1980's movie better. Sting was more intense as a villian. You could see the drive, desperations and motivations openly expressed in each character then. The sets were slightly out of place, low budget looking and gritty, as you might expect from a time and place far in the future on a desert world. This new movie in comparison was too clean and well-wardrobed. Too many pastels and soft acting. Being drawn into a movie or show is important to me. I want to feel like I am in their world, not mildly interested so that I see them as just actors playing a part from a script. This movie lacked an inner fire. I prefer my Dune memories of the 1980's movie and the first six books. Now the books are a very detailed, religous hard-scifi set well worth the purchase. I give the first six Dune books a 5 rating. The 1980's movie maybe a 3 or 4. But this movie I give a 1.
Rating:
Summary: Overhyped!
Review: I know a lot of people like the miniseries, and while it does have points in its favor, it comes nowhere close to the movie. The reason can be summed up in one word...EPIC.
Even though its newer, the miniseries simply lacks the granduer and scale of Lynch's movie. Watching it is like watching a rerun of Star Trek or Babylon 5 on tv, simply run of the mill. The original movie brought with it a sense of wonder, of awe, that was fitting to Hebert's vision. It was an epic, which the miniseries sadly lacks. The score was dull, to say the least, and I missed the voice overs the original movie had, which I felt provided an important insight into how the characters thought and felt, much like how the book overlaid the narrative style with the descriptive. While it adheres a bit more closely to the book, faults remain many. The still suits in the miniseries are pathetic, looking more like cotton T-shirts. The imagery and backdrops are unexciting, despite the advantage of 15 years of technology over the movie. The worms look better, but the desert scenes look like the sandlot in my backyard! Overall, I also believe the cast was badly assembled, and did not complement each other. Willaim Hurt was sub par at best, and thats even when I am a fan of his acting. Paul was simply uninspiring, and all the actors were still stuck on a stage...the way its put across, its more like a play than a movie...if u thought Anakin was bad in Phantom Menace, wait till you see the people here. Definitely forgettable and to me...impossible for repeat viewing...I almost fell asleep the first time, and that accounts for the fact that I am a huge Dune fan.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Forget about this version: too many bad actors and too bad direction of actors. Not to mention the absolute horrible costume design. And was there *ANY* art direction on this thing?
Just go and get Lynch's version.
Rating:
Summary: Pales in comparision to the movie
Review: I know a lot of people like the miniseries, and while it does have points in its favor, it comes nowhere close to the movie. The reason can be summed up in one word...EPIC. Even though its newer, the miniseries simply lacks the granduer and scale of Lynch's movie. Watching it is like watching a rerun of Star Trek or Babylon 5 on tv, simply run of the mill. The original movie brought with it a sense of wonder, of awe, that was fitting to Hebert's vision. It was an epic, which the miniseries sadly lacks. While it adheres a bit more closely to the book, faults remain many. The still suits in the miniseries are pathetic, looking more like cotton T-shirts. The imagery and backdrops are unexciting, despite the advantage of 15 years of technology over the movie. The worms look better, but the desert scenes look like the sandlot in my backyard! Overall, I also believe the cast was badly assembled, and did not complement each other. Willaim Hurt was sub par at best, and thats even when I am a fan of his acting. Paul was simply uninspiring, and all the actors were still stuck on a stage...the way its put across, its more like a play than a movie...if u thought Anakin was bad in Phantom Menace, wait till you see the people here. Definitely forgettable and to me...impossible for repeat viewing...I almost fell asleep the first time, and that accounts for the fact that I am a huge Dune fan.
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