Just as some films are terribly overhyped others are overly put down and trampled on. It was an okay movie. By no means was it a cinematic masterpiece, but I went in expecting very little and feeling very critical and I came out thinking that - yeah, I could see the third movie too.
Ana's and Christian's relationship gets bashed a lot too and admittedly Mr. Grey deserves some of the critique he gets, that being said, his love for Ana does seem genuine and not as selfish in comparison to the last movie. He tries to take Ana's feelings into account and show her the depth of his feelings in more meaningful ways than flaunting around his dollar-bills. (Although he does some of that too, it seems). Besides, if you compare Grey to all of the absolute perverts who surround Ana, in this universe were all men are pigs, he becomes strangely likeable. It might not excuse him completely, but it does make you root for her.
Ana comes off as strangely empowering in this world of absolute weird bastards. She kicks one of them in the balls and doesn't let herself taken advantage of her as easily as she did in the first movie. I think. She's intelligent and sweet, understanding and forgiving, whether or not she is too much so, is up to your interpretation.
In conclusion - I wouldn't have gone to see it myself, but it was not by far the worst film I've seen. I love that it's so unashamedly an erotic love story (Yes, I think they love each other). It doesn't try to be art. Of course. Why would I even suggest that it does? Because so many other films that come far closer to being mindless porn than Fifty Shades Darker ever does, try to claim that they are artistic. That the sick twisted sex scenes have a deeper meaning and if you don't think they do you're too stupid as an audience member to get it. I'm looking at you Lars Von Trier. This movie is what it is. It knows that it's mainstream and I think it does a pretty good job.
Oh and the soundtrack is amazing. The sex scenes do get a little repetitive after a while. There is only so much you can show in a Hollywood film. Not a lot apparently. It doesn't get gross or repulsive, just a little annoying and boring.