Mostly visually laudable (at least technically), but artistically feels very bland with dry designs for everything that makes the book so zany/unique. Ornithopter innocent, though. Greig Fraser as a DoP lacks conviction with his framing — he films spectacle well but doesn’t allow the image to linger enough to “take everything in.” The obsession with format and aspect ratios creates a disconnect with emotions; how are these shots meant to make us feel? I thought watching in IMAX would fix the nighttime sequences too, but they’re just as flat and jaded this time round. 

This was fun though! I’m not yet sold on some of the narrative decisions yet, many of which I can’t see paying off in Messiah. The introduction of Thufir and Jessica’s “betrayal” arc would dovetail nicely into Messiah’s conspiracy drama vibes, and a walking-talking Alia (who murders her Grandfather no less, to then seek advice in latter entries) is sorely missed. 

For a universe where smack and stoner navigators control the cosmos, this a heavily sanitised adaptation. But a fantastic ment to read the books!