IMHO, it's technically and visually better, but portrays less of the story in a longer format. The 1984 version just was plain weird for weirdness' sake. 1984 was a glittery over-costumed wreck with things done not to advance the story, but purely for shock value. If you've read the series by Frank Herbert and the prequels based on his manuscripts but fleshed out by his some Brian you find out exactly why technology went in strange directions.