The Dark Knight Rises
Directed By Christopher Nolan
Starring Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Tom Hardy as Bane, Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle, Joseph Gordon Levitt as John Blake
How rare is it do we find a "threequel" that does justice to its predecessors, if not perform better than them? There are those rare films, like Toy Story 3, Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade, and now The Dark Knight Rises, which brings Christopher Nolan's Batman film series to a close, in a spectacular, dignified, and more than satisfying way.
Taking place eight years after The Dark Knight, we find Bruce Wayne a shut-in, having hung up his cape and mask, and Commissioner Gordon tired of carrying the guilt of what truly happened to Harvey Dent. When Bruce Wayne catches cat burglar Selina Kyle (you may know her better as Catwoman) stealing his fingerprints for the criminal mastermind Bane, he comes out of retirement to uncover and stop Bane's master plan, much to his faitful butler Alfred's dismay. Batman soon faces his greatest challenge, as Bane threatens to literally destory Gotham.
That's the basic storyline, but once again Christopher Nolan has brought to the screen a story filled with so much depth and emotion that concludes the legend that began with Batman Begins beautifully, as both Bruce Wayne and Batman are pushed to the very limit, as the character must confront the question Can he both Bruce Wayne and Batman? Will there ever be a time when Gotham no longer needs Batman, or when he no longer needs Batman? Can he find a life beyond the Batman? That is the emotional core of the film, and the stellar performances by Christian Bale, Michael Caine, and Joseph Gordon Levitt emphasize that. Bale and Caine are at their usual best. Ask for Levitt, I can say this is his finest performance, and I can't wait to see where his career goes after this film.
Tom Hardy as Bane is perfect. There are moments when it is difficult to understand him, but the moments are so minimal it can be overlooked (I'm sure if you really can't figure it out there'll be subtitles on the DVD). Bane's prescence, motivation, and drive, God forgive me, make him so much more intimidating The Joker. The stakes are so much higher with Bane.
Supporting players from the previous films like Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman are given less to do with Rises, as we spend more time with new additions to the Nolan/Batman universe like Levitt, Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle, and Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate, a business woman looking to revitalize Bruce and Wayne Enterprises. These three give us some of their best work. If you ever had doubt that Hathaway could pull of Catwoman, you will be proven wrong. She is one of the highlights of the film. On a side note with Levitt and Cotillard, and I will put this next section in white to avoid spoilers: there was a great deal of speculation about the true identities of their characters, and there were alot of theories out there. Let me just say, somebody got it right.
One apsect of this film I really enjoyed was that it is very much an esemble film. Every actor, character plays a major part in the story. What's at stake in this film is the very exisistence of Gotham City, and it's not just Batman fighting to save it. He becomes very much a symbol for the other characters, and the citizens to rally behind. It's a war for the city, and it's an epic one with incredible players. This is one of the finest casts put together for a film I've ever seen.
I'll say this right now, if you're expecting an action-heavy film, you're not going to get it, at least right off the bat (no pun intended). Act 1 and 2 spend a great deal of time helping build up to an EXPLOSIVE, MAGNIFICENT Act 3, which, and again, to avoid spoilers: contains one of the best chase scenes I've ever seen in film. It works though, so don't let my words sway you away from this film. There is plenty in the first two-thirds of the film that will keep you on the edge of your seat regardless, as you wait for the $#!T to hit the fan in Act 3.
I don't want to say The Dark Knight Rises is better than The Dark Knight, because I feel it's like a sense of betrayl...but damn I think it really is. I don't know I'm probably going to have to see this one again to be absolutely sure. This is a spectacular trilogy that will go down in film history, and The Dark Knight Rises is the perfect way to end. To the person who has to reboot Batman for film I truly feel sorry for you, but I also wish you the best of luck. Lord knows you're going to need it...
