Saw Dune part 2 last night. I liked it and I think maybe I loved it. I still need to absorb what I saw, but it looked amazing. Definitely a spectacle, one that actually means something.

I’ve seen reviewers refer to it as the “Star Wars Killer.” I think that’s overstating the case, but I do hope it becomes a cultural moment for young people.

I was blown away when Star Wars came out. It was so different from what came before. Now, with so many Star Wars “products,” it doesn’t seem quite so special any more. We’re old, we had our turn.

There were a few changes from the original story, but I’d say they served Herbert’s vision.

Villeneuve conveyed a message that I didn’t even get when I read Dune the first time: Paul Atreides isn’t a hero. He’s an anti-hero.

The interaction between Paul and Chani made it very clear. Paul gained a tremendous amount of power, but lost so much that really mattered.

The fact that he didn’t have a choice – it was either win or die – doesn’t make it right. It makes it a tragedy.

The main point I take from that is, why the hell would you want to do all that shit if you DID have a choice? Only for power? How could it possibly be worth it?

I think it’s a message for guys raised on the mono-myth of the hero’s journey who think, “I would love to have that kind of power.” No you fucking wouldn’t.

My wife and I saw Dune at an IMAX theater. Really great seats.