I have, by choice, not read Dune ever since I saw the first movie. I'd read it before seeing the original film (but I have not yet read the sequels), and I have a copy sitting around here somewhere, but I decided it would be better to watch the second film with just college-era recollections in my head, to better see it, to an extent, through the eyes of those who hadn't and better judge it as a film.

Alas, in some ways that has caused me to have two minds on the film. It's a five-star regardless, but whether it's a qualified five-star or not depends on the mind:

The "I read the book in college" mind: "Wait, wait, I don't that happening. Wouldn't that kind of change things? Or remove some motivations? Whatever, it's still awesome and almost certainly the best Dune we can probably get. I'll see you in three or four years for the next one."

The "it's been awhile since I read the book and I'm approaching this as a movie" mind: "THAT WAS SO AWESOME!!!!!!!!"

Now, excuse me, I need to find my copy of Dune. It's gotta be around here somewhere....

(Watched at the fan preview event in IMAX).