So just watched it again ... actually enjoyed it more the second time, may have been too caught up in the stylistic details the first time -- not that I didn't like my first viewing but this one was less analytical. That being said I did notice a couple of things:
The pacing feels more like television than film in some ways ... I've said before this should have been an HBO series. I don't mind it but I can see where people may have issue.
On my first viewing I felt as if the Harkonnen attack on Arrakeen was a bit weightless and clinical; it didn't feel like a desperate fight. This nagging dissatisfaction remains, Villeneuve's style here was way too detached, but some of it makes a bit more sense now ... it looks as if Gurney and his men were racing towards their own gunships but pulled up short when they were destroyed; unable to prevent the troop landing they were left with hand-to-hand combat as their last resort.
I remember the Sardaukar being disguised as Harkonnen troops, but can't recall if that was only in Lynch's version or in the novel as well. At any rate, they were in plain sight here.
Liet letting her guard down while fleeing Sardaukar was a little too convenient. The character's death was different from the novel anyway, but I just find it illogical Kynes wouldn't be watching her back; not that it really mattered I suppose, since having caught up to her they would have killed her either way.
I was better able to accept Zendaya's performance as Chani this time for whatever reason.
Lady Jessica should not be an emotionless automaton, Bene Gesserit or not she broke the rules out of love for Duke Leto and is a deeply feeling woman, but she *does* spend a lot of time looking a touch histrionic in this film. Yet she's lethal and competent as she should be.
I still don't find it overly long.
Looking foward to part 2!
