The good:
The action sequences are 100% better in this movie. Part 1's action - to me- was incredibly slow.

There was an *actual* relationship between Chani and Paul that felt organic and earned (but still not the one in the book.)

Jessica's turn to full on GB Rev Mother finally made me feel like she was the Jessica in the books - not exactly the same jessica but much closer.

The effects also seemed like they were *much* improved.

I thought the acting in this one was much better.

The horrible dialog of part 1 was improved in most scenes here (not all of them.)

The bad:
Removing the 2 years of living in the seitch makes Paul's ascendency and desert skills seems unearned. The Freman accepted Jessica and Paul much too quickly.

We never got to see Stilgar - the friend. (I thought Javier Bardam as Stilgard the worshipper was great thought.)

Sietch Tabr being destroyed seemed unearned. If they knew about the seitches then I think logically they also would have moved toward the southern ones - or at least been thinking about it.

Turning Feyd into a "honorable psychopath" seemed stupid to me. HE was always just a beast , like his grandfather.

Feyd stabbing Paul and then walking away and talking seemed the stupidest of all possible moves. He would have finished Paul then gloated.

Alia the Knife was sorely missed.

Lots of other small stuff - but I'll accept this as a move which is not the book.



Presentation:
I saw it in Imax at the Palm Promenade. That theater has been there 25 years and it was my first time in there. Only cost $12.49 - which is half of what other theatres cost in San Diego.

The film was TOO FUCKING LOUD where I saw it. I wore earplugs and it was still very loud. I get that people talking should be understandable and that explosions would be 10000% louder, but I need some normalization in the mix or I feel like *I'm* being shot at.

Next movie:
Maybe Messiah is not the next movie - maybe they do "Paul of Dune" which - while not a great book - could certainly be adapted into a movie based on these movies much easier - introduce the Fenring, Alia, and show the war against some of the houses. Not sure if movie only folks are ready for how sour Messiah is.

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Gone: My Discogs collection for The Roots:
http://www.discogs.com/user/tomhayes-roots/collection