Dune (1984)

This book wasn't too bad. I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. I'm even considering reading the many sequels. But the movie... it was just very very bad.

As in many books, we are privy to the thoughts of the main characters. This works in a book. In a movie, not so much. Repeatedly we were forced to watch the characters make their "I'm thinking" faces, while a ghost-like version of their voice echoed their thoughts. It also didn't help that the main character, who is supposed to be an incredibly powerful leader, is played by Orson from "Desperate Housewives" (a much younger time, obviously, yet I still couldn't get over his prissiness) Sting was also terrible; I can see why he didn't get overwhelmed with acting offers following this role. Add in 30-year-old special effects, and a really weak romance line, and the whole thing was doomed.

The barron was evil in the book, true, but the character in the movie was unbelievably over-the-top. The book did not have a happy ending, as many plot lines were open-ended (obviously allowing for the story to continue, a la Empire Strikes Back). In the movie, as soon as Paul took power, it began to rain. (the ultimate happy ending for Dune) This didn't bother me, as it was a good idea to wrap it all up.

Princess Irulan narrates much of the story, as she does in the book. However, since the movie does not show any hint of her marriage to Paul, there is no reason for her to make a logical narrator. It does, however, help Paul live "happily ever after" with his woman.

So painful to watch... one of the worst movies I've seen in a long, long time.