THE DARK KNIGHT RISES 4.0****



“The Dark Knight Rises” is a lot more daring than most would expect. It's a superhero movie that cares more about heroism than just action. The scale is large and explosive. It is a fitting end to this amazing trilogy. I still think The Dark Knight ( Heath Ledger) is the best of the three. But, “The Dark Knight Rises” is an excellent grand film experience. Christopher Nolan (the Director of this and the other 2) has skillfully crafted an ambitious superhero movie that adds more dimension to the superhero genre. Here is the epic (2 and 3/4 hours!) conclusion to a beloved trilogy that has forever changed its genre.


The film, it’s been eight years after Batman took the blame for Harvey Dent's crimes and Dent is now revered while Batman is hated. Wayne/Batman face a new threat - the towering, ominous terrorist Bane (Tom Hardy in a remarkably gripping performance and an empowering presence) who threatens to destroy Gotham city. Hardy is ruthlessly terrific as Bane as he manages to instill fear in all of Gotham (and most of the audience). It would be unfair to compare him to Heath Ledger's pitch perfect portrayal of the Joker because they are two completely different characters. Whereas the Joker aimed for a battle of psychological wits, Bane aspires to uterly destroy Batman and all of Gotham.

There is a pervasive sense of haunting dread and gloom throughout the movie, especiall in the first 2 hours. But the last 30 minutes contais nothing but great, sometimes spectacular action sequences which all leads to an emotionally satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. The stunts are spectacular and the CGI effects are amazing, especially those of the stadium scene and scenes involving "the Bat" and the "Bat-cycle”.
You have to admire Christian Bale's dedication to the Batman role in this film. At times he is weak, lacking confidence, and shrouded in gloom. At other times his eyes show the painful return to his self-determination and perseverance. Yes his Batman no doubt is still the best interpretation of the character, and here we see Bruce Wayne as a single, rich recluse with a limp in one leg, aided only by his loyal butler Alfred (Michael Caine in his most emotional performance of the trilogy. Anne Hathaway, as Catwoman, looks mesmerizingly beautiful while giving a devilishly cunning performance as a specialized thief/con-woman who is not what she seems. Marion Cottilard provides a more gentler shade for the lonely, love-lorn Bruce to rely on, or does she ?? Playing a young dedicated cop, Joseph Gordon-Levitt serves as a somewhat younger shadow of Bruce. Scenes Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman are fine too but have less notable roles although they are still very active in the film's climax.

"The Dark Knight Rises" is a mainstream triumph, putting new levels of fear and dread in a superhero movie. Nolan’s vision for his Batman character shines through completely and makes his trilogy rightfully stand out as "The Godfather" trilogy of superhero films. Hats off to Nolan, Bale, Hardy and the rest of the cast and crew, past and present, for delivering the truest interpretation of the Batman character that has ever been or ever will be seen again .


Clark