Enjoyed this AND the Lynch Version

As someone who has read the book and seen all of the versions, I prefer the extended 1984 version (you have to realize that David Lynch's original version was over 3 hours long and he was never satisfied with what the studio did to cut it down. When it was re-edited for television and extra scenes were inserted, they were not the way he intended, which is why he just gave up on it. There is no true David Lynch version available. I'd be angry if I were him too). I feel, however, that the 2000 Sci-Fi channel version does a much better job with all of the backstory. It follows the book very closely and seems to have gotten in all of the story points. My main problem with it is that it looks like it was produced for cable TV. I feel it could have been more polished. I enjoy all of the versions actually.

It had some major flaws....way too much "inner monologue", gross-out scenes with no intent other than to gross you out, very disjointed pacing, and Toto's music.
What saved it from being an eternal watercooler joke was its star-studded cast, big budget, and decent SFX, though some of it was kind of amateurish (harkonnen attack on atriedes base on Arrakis)

Dune 2000 was an admirable effort, but it was 90% miscast, with actors unsuited to the task, kooky costumes, and a limited budget.

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Howdy, all,

Each filmed version of Dune (be it the Lynch version, the unauthorized extended cut that Lynch distanced himself from, or the Sci-Fi Channel adaptation) has its strengths and weaknesses. I will try to focus more on the strengths of each.

The Lynch version had a unique look to it, that I kinda put somewhere between gothic, and almost steampunk. It was very anti-tech, and it showed with the sets, ships, and general technology. It emphasized, through its visual style, the banning of computers, thinking machines, and conscious robots. However, if someone is watching the theatrical cut for the first time, and has never read the novels, you don't really get the understanding that computers are outlawed, and have been for millennia. If you have not read the novels, then the only time you are alerted to this is if you have seen the extended cut.

One can also look at this film and tell that it is very much an 80's movie. Look at the hairstyles and the costumes. The Fremen stillsuit is very 80's sci-fi....with no hoods or capes (running contrary to the novel). In some minor ways, the visual style of this film reminded me a little bit of the 1980 "Flash Gordon" movie.

The Sci-Fi channel version struck more of a balance between tech and anti-tech. The tech, ships and sets involving technology looked more futuristic, and starkly contrasted to the more traditional appearances of sietches, Arrakeen base, and the Emperor's palace/ship. But one got no sense of a notion that computers were at all forbidden.

In terms of story, myself having been one of millions who have read the novel, I've always felt that between the extended cut of the 1984 version, and the director's cut of the Sci-Fi Channel production, you get the novel. There are some scenes that the 1984 version covered, and some scenes that the 2000 version covered, each seeming to take care of the gaps that the other version had. Those who are pretty well versed with the novel can determine which version had the most accurate take of a given scene they may both have covered.

An example (to put both versions on equal footing): Paul's conquest of a sand worm.

In the extended '84 movie, Stilgar advises Paul with a few final words of how to approach the worm as it draws near. Paul simply listens. The 2000 version took a more humorous approach with Stilgar trying to make sure that he did not miss a single instruction to Paul, acting almost desperate to make sure that Muad'Dib does everything he can to survive his first sand worm ride. Paul (semi-impatiently) advises Stil that he remembers everything he was taught by the Naib. So far, the accuracy of the scene falls to the 2000 version. Where both versions completely miss the mark is after Paul conquers Shai Hulud (the sand worm). In the novel, Stilgar rebukes Paul for his approach and position (too near to drum sand) when the worm approached. In the movie and in the miniseries, Stilgar takes immediate (rather than gradual) pride in Paul's handling of the situation.