I'm not defending the film. It's bad.
Discussion
I prefer Denis Villeneuve’s approach
Agreed. It does badly abbreviate much of Herbert's work and intention, though.
More of an essential cliff notes version.
Still, Eminently more entertaining and watchable.
That’s always what I wonder: does a movie adaptation need to be the exact rendition of the book to be a solid entertainment. I guess it depends on the book
Not specifically.
There are plenty of entertaining adaptions that are complete departures from the originator's intent, stylistic choices, etc
That said, what is "entertaining" is every bit as subjective as the definition of art.