Playing hooky to go see Dune because the wife won’t “waste” a date night for it….more to follow.
(Three hours later…)
Unsurprisingly, I really enjoyed the movie. It is certainly a spectacle. For a nearly 3 hour movie, I did find some of the pacing a little all over the place and I could have used a little more time spent on some parts of the story. If you know Dune, you know what you are getting in to. This one is a little more dense and a lot more mystical than the first movie. Between Paul dealing with his visions, Jessica constantly communicating with Alia (who remains in in utero this movie), the water of life, and the Bene Geserit machination, there is a lot to take in. The movie also leaves you wanting more story but there are books for that. I need to digest this one a little more but it was certainly a positive experience.
Further thoughts: Standout performance from Austin Butler and Javier Bardem. Butler’s Feyd was suitably creepy and psychotic and he brought a good physicality to the role. He has a very snake-like movement about him. Bardem stole the show as fanatic Stilgar, though.
Also, for the book fans, Gurney’s baliset makes a brief appearance.