Firstly, this is brilliantly written.

Secondly, I really appreciated your disclaimer at the start re: the quality of the film. That isn't in dispute, but critiques are important.

Thirdly, I see where you are coming from, but confess none of the changes Villeneuve made bothered me (and I'm a long-time fan of the novel). That includes essentially inverting the roles played by Jessica and Chani. I actually preferred it this way, I think.