I would have enjoyed this film so much more, if the caption "A lot of this really happened." wasn't presented at the beginning. Whilst the start with everything begins entirely feasible, by the end there was just a little too much absurdity. After looking it up, do you realise that the general conspiracy that is uncovered was true, only in the fact that it existed, but not the events actually portrayed, and the leading trio are all fictional, but there was a 369th Regiment. It could have been enjoyed in the same fashion as Inglorious Basterds, rather than muddled along.

That being said, the story, characters and aesthetics are all generally very enjoyable. Bale is fantastic and very endearing, and supported by an absolutely star-studded cast. Despite having all those famous faces all the way, they don't draw away from the (at times baffling) plot.

The pacing is stunted, a lengthy flashback providing context a little out of sequence, yet the climax is brilliant. The reveal is great, dialogue is absorbing, and the different strands of story are brought together very well.

The tone just seems to be very inconsistent from beginning to end. Bale and Washington work well together with a friendship supporting a war/post-war crime/drama, before Robbie is dropped in for what seems like an entirely different film. The character is good, but to start with feels like she has been edited in from a Wes Anderson film.

The film overall feels very ambitious, but a little all over the place before finally finding it's niche after an hour and a half. Knowing what I know now, I feel I'd much prefer Amsterdam on a second viewing.