Exodus: Gods and Kings

SF: I’m a fan of these type of epic movies, I watched 10 Commandments, Ben Hur and The Message with my Dad many times. So I was looking forward to seeing this. While Christian Bale and Joel Edgerton try very hard to make this remotely appealing and interesting I have to say it’s a fail. I even thought the director’s cut of Kingdom of Heaven was good but this left me bored. The action is dull, the story well known but not particularly developed and the characterisation shallow. The only interesting take was having God appear like an petulant child rather than a burning bush, you are also left questioning if Moses is mad or if it’s all real. On the whole though one interesting point isn't enough to save a very long film. 4/10

50Eggs: Before watching this I checked Rotten Tomatoes and saw it had 23% positive reviews. At £10 a pop I came very close to not bothering with Exodus, but I'd been looking forward to it for long enough that I decided to make my own mind up. Glad I did, this is the best telling of the Moses story I've ever seen. Most of the criticism seems to be based on Joel Ederingtons performance as the Pharaoh (I thought he was excellent) and for upsetting various sections of society (so what!). Great spectacle and strong story telling, I heartily recommend seeing this. 8.5/10

DonkeyB: n/a

Overall: 6.25/10

The Dark Knight Rises

Sequel to The Dark Knight (2008)
 
SF: What a great end to this run of Batman films. Lots of nice nods to the comic (trying not to give too much away!) whilst incorporating elements from both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. I did however find the film was a bit wayward/disjointed at times and wondered where the threads would lead. Also I'm not sure I like Gotham becoming New York so overtly. The atmosphere of Gotham being familiar yet a world unto itself was essential to me at least. Dark Knight does have brilliant flight scenes, cool gadgets and excellent actors so can't complain. Overall I think it delivered what I and most Bat fans are looking for. 7.5/10 

50 Eggs: If I'd have left the cinema after 90 minutes I'd have given this 6/10 - the film just seemed to be going nowhere slowly. Thankfully the final act is both surprising and mesmerizing, pulling all the loose strands of the trilogy together in a tour-de-force of action and suspense. I still think Batman Begins was the high-point of the series, and I missed the 'Gotham character' which as SF said has been substituted for a rather bland and lifeless city expanse. But overall I really liked this and it was a  great way for the trilogy to bow out. 8.5/10

DonkeyB: It's the least good of the three. I was quite disappointed. Until something happens near the end the it doesn't really get going. Lacks the emotional punch of the first two. Something else to get off my chest while I'm here: Bane's dialogue and motive. It doesn't matter that you can't understand either, that's part of the plot and what is supposed to make him terrifying- if it doesn't that is a weakness of the film. 6.5/10

Overall: 7.5/10

The Dark Knight

SF: Batman Begins was amazing (10/10) so this had to work pretty hard to win me over. Firstly Heath Ledger blow me away, I was rather worried when they cast him but after seeing this I take back any concerns. This installments captures all that was good in its predecesor and runs. Fantastically dark and complicated. 9/10

50 Eggs: The Emperors new clothes are as revealing as ever. Yes this is a decent film and Heath Ledger is a great Joker, but it's nowhere near as exciting as 'Begins' and is way way too long. And, other than 'hide the pencil', there are no stand out scenes. 7/10

DonkeyB: n/a

Overall: 8/10