Finally, last night, and for some reason in the middle of one of the worst snowstorms Toronto has experienced all winter, we went to see Dune: Part Two (imdb | rotten tomatoes) in the theatre.

First, it was as sweeping and grand and beautifully shot as I’d heard. I’m glad we saw it on a big screen, though it wasn’t their biggest…part of me wishes I’d seen it on an epically big screen the first weekend.

Second, I like how this film played up the religious angle, especially the sectarian divide between the Fremen. It seemed a clearer evolution to me of the jihad vs. how the book seems (in my memory, anyway) to jump to it more jarringly.

Third, I thought they improved on some gaps / weak points in the book. Chani and Paul’s journey, for example. Or Chani in general, frankly. Denis Villeneuve was open about making Chani and stronger character, and it showed here, right down to the final shot. And in terms of plotline, too, it felt like it deviated from the book in just the way it should when there’s obviously another film (hi there, Anya Taylor-Joy) coming, a luxury Frank Herbert likely didn’t have.

So yeah: worth the wait, and deserving of the heady reviews it’s been getting.