I've been looking forward to seeing this, as well as the second installment.
From what I've heard from people who have seen it, it's a slow start to a long project, which doesn't bother me. I don't need car chases.
As to writing off films as losses, I don't believe in it, but it seems to be...
The motion picture industry is not about creating and distributing motion pictures.
It’s about creating and distributing profits for stockholders and huge paydays for upper management.