@clacke I did exactly the same - both my partner and I saw the first one at home for the first time the other day, the second in the cinema yesterday. We're both in awe.
She prefers the sequel. I couldn't pick a favourite - the newer one is less quirky, which is not bad or good, it just makes it hard to compare to me. They're both amazing movies.
The effects were better, but I they still stayed true to the style of the original, which I adore. The sand worms were still kinda janky.