I'm not a Michael Bay hater, while I dislike Transformers and others, I like the Bad Boys films and a couple of others he has done, but I can't help but come away from this thinking that this would have been a better film in the hands of another director, who has perhaps dabbled in more genres than Bay has. The real-life families of the victims have understandably demonstrated anger at the film's comedic undertone. While some of it is understandable given what the criminals did is so unbelievably stupid, Rebel Wilson's character, with the kind of humour she has used in every movie she has been in, together with her jokes didn't seem to fit. Tony Shalhoub's character also goes for the comedic at times, and portrays Victor Kershaw/Marc Schiller as a horrible unlikable person in the film. After seeing the real Marc Schiller in a documentary, that's not how he comes across. The character being unlikable eliminates much of the sympathy one should feel for a victim of torture, kidnapping and multiple attempted murder. Disregarding those issues, it still has its moments. The writers had gold to work with as the material-which I'm surprised wasn't made into a film earlier-is, as mentioned, unbelievable, the acting is good, and as usual Miami is an aesthetically pleasing setting to view.

PMI Positive: - It is dark. It does take itself seriously. One review I read said this about the film: "unrelieved atmosphere of oppressiveness". While I wouldn't agree completely with that opinion I liked the grim atmosphere. Do we want the campy 'Batman and Robin' back? I loved the tone of the film. I prefer the tone of this and Nolan's Batmans than what a lot of Marvel films provide. The day they make an R-rated Batman (apparently a cut of this is) film with the tone of Schindler's List I'll be happy. Batman/Bruce Wayne are not happy characters. - I was glad it doesn't go into the origins of Batman too much. Even what they did was too much for people who know the story. I guess it was necessary as the connection between Batman's and Superman's parents is important to the plot. - Despite fears the casting of Batman/Bruce Wayne was a-okay. Jeremy Irons fits the role of Alfred perfectly too. - There are a number of powerful moments. Particularly with Superman. I think the whole God theme was well done. - One thing I've loved about 'Man of Steel' and this over the older Superman films is that they demonstrate the real power of Superman where you feel his strength. These have done it really well. Minus: - I don't know if it just because we are caught up in the plethora of other media how Lex has been portrayed, and I could be wrong as I don't know the comics that well, but Jessie seemed more like Ledger's Joker than he does the previous portrayals of Luther in this. I think he did a good job doing what he was trying to do but again, I think Lex was miscast here. There are a number of differences to the classic Batman story but this seemed to be a major alteration. Jessie could still pass for a teen as well, there seemed too big an age difference. This is no doubt the biggest flaw with it and was from the audience testing as well. - If you hadn't seen 'Man of Steel' I don't know if I would go as far to say that the viewer would have been lost but I think they would have benefited from a touch more callbacks. I wished I'd watched it again prior to viewing this. - The reason for them fighting. Wouldn't Superman just tell Batman quickly that Lex has tricked him rather than wait until he is on his death bed? - Lex's motivation to kill Superman? Again, I'm not very familiar with the comics but I gathered from the Reeve movies it boiled down to Lex not being able to do what he wanted to do with Superman around and him constantly foiling his attempts at World domination. I didn't get a clear reasoning in this. Maybe I missed something. Interesting: - I can see why people feel like the movie was trying to pack too much into it during the first half while I was watching it, which is a common criticism I'm seeing, but by the end, I didn't feel that. When you break it down there isn't that much to it. I'd rather have it this way than a more formulaic superhero movie plot where nothing happens. See Deadpool. - Wonder Woman. For 95% of the movie you don't see her. One of the few scenes she is in she is promoting the upcoming Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg films. One comment I read hit home about how "Lex apparently gave them names/logos" - The dream sequence within a dream sequence... It was cool but seemed out of place. - Batman had time to change costume between the Superman fight and getting in the batwing towards the conclusion of the film to fight Doomsday? Maybe he had it on underneath? - People have complained about all of the special effects. Do you want Doomsday to be a man in a gorilla suit? - The Batman fights in the lead up to save Martha were quite reminiscent of the moves from the Arkham Asylum to Arkham Knight video game series. - The people saying Batman doesn't kill. Yes, he has many times before. - In an early court room scene did anyone notice the two Batman like figures out of focus? - The extended cut does add to the film, explaining some events in greater detail, but I don't think it improves it as much as many claim. I'd heard from a friend that this film wasn't being well received from critics but I tried to stay away from the reviews and ratings until I saw this about six days into its release and I had to admit after seeing it I was shocked at the negative reception. It's not a perfect movie, there are holes, but the acclaimed Nolan Batmans had holes as well. I really don't feel like a lot of the criticisms are just and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I'm thinking about going to see it again. A lot more engrossing than any superhero film I've seen probably since 'TDK'. I mean, 'Ant Man' got far better reception than this...talk about a boring movie. I'd rather a film have some plot issues than be a complete bore. --------------------------- The Extended Version - Adds some more explanation to some subsplots but it doesn't add as much as some claim it does.

While there are many, I think one of the major strengths a superhero like Batman has over many others is that there is always the chance that he can die. He doesn't seem as invincible as other superheroes like Superman or Aquaman. Maybe I missed it, but apart from being struck by the Trident of Atlan, are we ever told how he and others like him can be killed? The fighting is like watching two rocks battling it out. Where is the weakness? The action is entertaining enough. Out of all of the scenes, I enjoyed the on-land action in Italy the most. Apart from that, movies like this do not need to be 2.5 hours long. I also rolled my eyes at the Octopus playing the drums. It was a bit much. And then the sharks with machine guns... I guess Karl Pilkington was right... "I don't know what they kit 'em out with but they're just ready for war." It's probably one I would've gotten more out of on a big screen but all of the water effects still looked good on the small screen. 3-2.5

I like how this doesn't spend too long on Diana's origins. It can become tiresome when superhero films do this, particularly if you are a fan of the protagonist and are familiar with their background. Some of the visuals, particularly at the beginning when Themyscira is the setting, are amazing. The action sequences, in general, are often riveting where Wonder Woman is devastating against either structure, man or god. The grim feel that DC movies, in general, have concocted again works. While I felt one or two of the comedic scenes lasted too long, they were generally on point including some of the suggestive language. I saw Gal's acting being cited as a criticism in some reviews prior to watching this, and while she's no award winner, I didn't find it to be a problem at all. It's often the case with action films, but the dialogue at times can be corny and leave something to be desired for me. Some of the messages this was trying to send about soldiers and whatnot had me scratching my head. Another down-side was the final battle. Sir Patrick/Ares goes from seemingly impregnable to easily defeated. It felt too simplistic. It's nothing that will go into the hall of fame but it's a good action film that gets better as it goes on for the most part. 3.5-3

I liked the first two BB films so I was always going to watch this. I don't have a great recollection of them, but going off memory, there is more drama here, that is quite intense at times, and given that, some of the comedy, largely what Martin Lawrence is in the movie for, as he does very little police work, feels out of place. Enough of it works to offer some laughs, but at times I thought it didn't. I didn't love how the movie ended. It became quite predictable, including the setup for the sequel. I didn't buy how quickly a murderous, cold-hearted cartel member, who has known one thing his whole life changed, and didn't seem impacted by his mother being shot and burnt to death. He reacted more strongly to meeting his father for the first time than he did his mother being killed. The cliched young guy on the squad not getting along with the experienced member, Will's character, for no reason at all, and then liking each other all of a sudden, for no reason at all, didn't work. It's like an important scene was cut. Despite some plot issues, it's fairly entertaining with some eye-catching action and a likeable cast.