Overlong and yet not long enough...all at the same time

Rating: 2/10 (23 September 2008)

And that comment is just the start of what is wrong with this movie. Given the incredible amount of hype that surrounded this movie because of Heath Ledger's death, it was inevitable that it would disappoint to some extent. But I was unprepared for just how badly it would disappoint me.
Don't get me wrong, I love the franchise, and Batman Begins was a fantastic revitalisation of it. But TDK fails to live up to its predecessor for a number of reasons.
Firstly, what the hell happened to Gotham City? Was there no budget for set design? Where is the Gothic architecture that was artfully blended into the modern in BB? All gone in favour of shiny modern buildings.
Next, just how many subplots does a film need? TDK has loads. And each one is not fully realised, leaving you, as my summary suggests, both wishing for a longer, more rounded movie and at the same time wondering when it will end.
The acting is pretty good, but it's not Oscar materiel. Heath Ledger makes a good Joker, but I'd hardly call it his best performance. Likewise, Bale seems content to just do his Batman thing and not give us any surprises. In short, nothing special.
The effects are good, and there is action enough to keep you watching, but the subplots tend to break up the flow of it all and get in the way.
The mobile phone "sonar" network was ridiculously over the top in a movie franchise that was trying to be more "realistic" and to be honest, that was the final nail in the coffin of this film.
Likewise, when I look at the ratings this film has received, I guess I'm in the minority in not liking TDK. But that's alright. I guess not everyone has the ability to see past the hype and tabloid build-up and it is easy to get seduced by what they have been told is "a great film".
To see this at number three on IMDb's list of top movies is just nerve-gratingly wrong. Let's just hope the next one will be better (and actually deserve to be labelled as such) SUMMARY: Too long and yet not long enough. A tedious plethora of subplots most of which are not necessary. Overall rather dull and tiresome.