I agree. A lot of the 'classics' - the likes of the first 2 Godfather films, the Lord of the Rings movies, etc. are long films. Titanic, the biggest grossing movie of all time (not counting inflation) was longer. I don't have a problem with longer films at all if everything in the film is necessary and is not just filler.
I think you're right Saigo, most people expect blockbusters to be leave your brain at the door, popcorn flicks and TDK is something a little different.