Went and saw this movie a few days ago. Not sure why all the hate, it was fantastically done. And anyone saying earlier movies were better or more accurate either haven’t read the book or need to read it again.
Love or hate the actors, but they played their parts well. I only had 2 criticisms. First was Christopher Walken as emperor of House Corrino. I kept waiting for him to ask for more cowbell. His voice did not fit his role. That is one where I preferred the actors in previous movies. The other was the portrayal of Channi. Zendaya played the role very well, I just didn’t like the role. Channi’s character had her opinions in the book but she wasn’t a religion hating, disrespectful, brat. They went a bit far with all that. But in terms of making her too strong for a woman, they didn’t. The fremen were supposed to be strong. The female fremen were being overpowered by male harkonnen when odds weren’t in their favor. The fighting capabilities of the characters were done fairly. No movie is going to translate perfectly from a book, but this is the best version of Dune so far.
But making her constantly henpeck Paul and bitch and moan about him using the prophecy was irritating, and having her storm off at the end when Paul agrees to marry Irulan for political purposes was inexcusable.
In the book, Paul explains the whole reason for marrying the Princess and confesses his love and heart to Chami. He says the Princess will never has his heart or his soul. Chani is totally cool with it.
She’s a support system for Paul and stands by his side. The last thing Paul would need while leading a million man army to take on the emperor of the universe is a bratty, jealous girlfriend.