Yeah, I had only heard pretty universally positive reviews. It just bored me.
It looked like any other action movie out there and I was expecting something different: dirty, dark, and crazy; I just thought it was CONTRIVED. The effects did nothing for me, and, despite the all the press about a return to real special effects not dominated by CGI, I thought it looked way too clean and processed, especially the valley and their home base; the camera effects -- the herky jerky shit (I know he does some of that in the other movies) -- was incredibly distracting. Maybe because it was digital, though I guess most shit is now.
I didn't care about any of the characters, and did think the female aspect was forced -- though I love strong female leads and beautiful women who kick ass (Charlize may have been the best part). I thought Tom Hardy was dull and stiff, none of that smoldering lunacy that Mel Gibson brought to the original role. Most people cream themselves over Tom Hardy, too, and I don't see it. I didn't like his Bane and didn't like Batman, either. I'm just a H8er, I guess.
I don't know man, after all the enthusiasm for it I was excited, but told myself to keep my expectations in check. I just wanted something fun with some crazy originality. It had a few laughs, but after watching the first two recently, it just seemed to have no soul to it. My buddy and I both walked out feeling the same thing, but, like you said, I think we are the only two to think that.