My review, no spoilers inside:
Everything that has a beginning should in essence have an end. Christopher Nolan knew this from the beginning of his epic Batman franchise, he knew by creating a symbol he would in turn have to return, complete and eventually destroy that person from the inside in order to make an ambitious point, one that exists not only in the film but within us all.
When The Dark Knight smashed its way into cinemas in 2008, film history changed, we witnessed a character deal with the damage that resulted from his actions. We witnessed a human being in a superhero. That said, a landmark was made in cinema. Now in 2012, a filmmaker proves that you can do it again and complete a trilogy that leaves one both breathless and fulfilled. The Dark Knight Rises is something of an epic success in contemporary cinema mythology.
It has been eight years since the events of The Dark Knight and Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) has gone into complete exile to the point where even his body has lost it’s physical strength, meanwhile a beat cop Blake (Joseph Gordon Levitt) finds himself trying to fight for what is right in the much decaying Gotham city. When Commissioner Gordon is badly injured by the ruthless terrorist, known as Bane (Tom Hardy), the city itself becomes crippled from the sewers upward by his army of merceneries. Thus, Bruce Wayne must return as Batman, if not for Gotham the city - that has made him an outlaw - but for what is right, as he has always believed.
Another twist to the story is the addition of two lead female characters. The first being, Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway), a cat burglar, who is hired by a group of corporates who aim to take over Wayne enterprises. Additionally, Nolan introduces Miranda Tate (Marion Cotillard) the woman who guides Wayne out of his financial turmoil after the company is bought out. Tate’s character is as important to this story as the villain Bane. Lastly, one cannot forget Wayne’s loyal butler Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Caine) who carries the spirit of the film and constantly reminds us of his enduring love for Bruce. Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) also returns in a very vital role that, coupled together with that of Alfred and Gordon’s, serve as the supportive platform that Batman needs.
With a story that is so vast in scope as well as encompasses a wide array of characters, some would think that this Nolan project would end in complete failure, but to the disappointment of his critics, he pulls through and illustrates that if you focus on a certain aspect of a character you can make that character so much more compelling to the audience rather than just an object taking up space. Such an example would be the transformation of Selina Kyle into Catwoman who becomes a powerful ally to Batman as well as the beat cop Blake whose character is a legend himself in the making.
Yet again, one cannot ignore the political core of this film, the deconstruction of American society. The interesting thing about this film is that it does not speak of an America we once knew but rather of a current America, one that is swept away in an individualist notion. What we learn from the terror created by Bane is that sometimes complete and literal freedom itself can lead to a far worse dark and immoral society than one that prides itself off something such as capitalism, a constraint in Bane’s eyes. As Nolan is an outsider, he hails from Britain, it may be a very controversial topic to address unless of course we consider his brother Jonathan , a co-writer on the film, whom has lived primarily in America from a very young age.
Politics aside, The Dark Knight Rises is a superbly written film that contains themes of hope, trust and determination. Bane’s undying will to annihilate Gotham and create a new anarchic society, Wayne’s undying will to fight for what is right and Alfred’s undying will to cloak Wayne in his care. It’s the cinematic essence of the story and the well planned structure which sees an explosive third act consumed in tension and explosive action, however, it is the way in which Nolan uses sharp editing as well as camera movement to make it more engaging and riveting than merely entertaining.
Christopher Nolan has brought together a team of masters in their craft to engineer a film that moves one in different ways. Hans Zimmer’s wondrous score which will constantly leave one uplifted and focused on glory, the sound itself tells us of the cinematic and glorious scope of Batman’s entire journey. The editing by Lee Smith - which makes scenes of action, which would otherwise be typical, stand out as intricate miniature stories in themselves - is simply terrific. Emma Thomas, to whom Nolan is married, has brought together the financing to make such a tremendous event happen when many would be reluctant to do so considering its dark and mature themes. What about the film’s cinematography? Wally Pfister returns as Nolan’s great DOP and surprises us by making day scenes fit the typically typed darkness of Batman. All in all, The Dark Knight Rises achieves and even betters itself from a traditionalist perspective crediting its use of real film in a ridiculous era of digital. Making it even more of a cinematic experience.
Needless to say, The Dark Knight Rises owes much credit to it’s auteur filmmaker Christopher Nolan, who has made a film that is both uplifting as well as a vivid reminder that there is always light even in the darkest of times. Without giving away the ending, your expectations are met and some hints are left as to what the possible future, if any, may be for this particular near perfect series of films. Perfection is the word here, as Christopher Nolan has done the best he possibly could have. In my opinion this is a perfect way to end a trilogy.
My conclusion is that whether or not this is actually better than it’s predecessors, one needs to consider that ending anything is never easy, it is too often a bittersweet occasion and that alone might take away the wonderful feeling of starting something anew. The Dark Knight Rises is a classic that will forever be remembered for showing us that you can never give up, even when up against unfathomable odds, one needs only to harness the will to continue the fight. Thank you Christopher Nolan as well as the entire crew for making a timeless motion picture!
4/5.
Everything that has a beginning should in essence have an end. Christopher Nolan knew this from the beginning of his epic Batman franchise, he knew by creating a symbol he would in turn have to return, complete and eventually destroy that person from the inside in order to make an ambitious point, one that exists not only in the film but within us all.
When The Dark Knight smashed its way into cinemas in 2008, film history changed, we witnessed a character deal with the damage that resulted from his actions. We witnessed a human being in a superhero. That said, a landmark was made in cinema. Now in 2012, a filmmaker proves that you can do it again and complete a trilogy that leaves one both breathless and fulfilled. The Dark Knight Rises is something of an epic success in contemporary cinema mythology.
It has been eight years since the events of The Dark Knight and Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) has gone into complete exile to the point where even his body has lost it’s physical strength, meanwhile a beat cop Blake (Joseph Gordon Levitt) finds himself trying to fight for what is right in the much decaying Gotham city. When Commissioner Gordon is badly injured by the ruthless terrorist, known as Bane (Tom Hardy), the city itself becomes crippled from the sewers upward by his army of merceneries. Thus, Bruce Wayne must return as Batman, if not for Gotham the city - that has made him an outlaw - but for what is right, as he has always believed.
Another twist to the story is the addition of two lead female characters. The first being, Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway), a cat burglar, who is hired by a group of corporates who aim to take over Wayne enterprises. Additionally, Nolan introduces Miranda Tate (Marion Cotillard) the woman who guides Wayne out of his financial turmoil after the company is bought out. Tate’s character is as important to this story as the villain Bane. Lastly, one cannot forget Wayne’s loyal butler Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Caine) who carries the spirit of the film and constantly reminds us of his enduring love for Bruce. Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) also returns in a very vital role that, coupled together with that of Alfred and Gordon’s, serve as the supportive platform that Batman needs.
With a story that is so vast in scope as well as encompasses a wide array of characters, some would think that this Nolan project would end in complete failure, but to the disappointment of his critics, he pulls through and illustrates that if you focus on a certain aspect of a character you can make that character so much more compelling to the audience rather than just an object taking up space. Such an example would be the transformation of Selina Kyle into Catwoman who becomes a powerful ally to Batman as well as the beat cop Blake whose character is a legend himself in the making.
Yet again, one cannot ignore the political core of this film, the deconstruction of American society. The interesting thing about this film is that it does not speak of an America we once knew but rather of a current America, one that is swept away in an individualist notion. What we learn from the terror created by Bane is that sometimes complete and literal freedom itself can lead to a far worse dark and immoral society than one that prides itself off something such as capitalism, a constraint in Bane’s eyes. As Nolan is an outsider, he hails from Britain, it may be a very controversial topic to address unless of course we consider his brother Jonathan , a co-writer on the film, whom has lived primarily in America from a very young age.
Politics aside, The Dark Knight Rises is a superbly written film that contains themes of hope, trust and determination. Bane’s undying will to annihilate Gotham and create a new anarchic society, Wayne’s undying will to fight for what is right and Alfred’s undying will to cloak Wayne in his care. It’s the cinematic essence of the story and the well planned structure which sees an explosive third act consumed in tension and explosive action, however, it is the way in which Nolan uses sharp editing as well as camera movement to make it more engaging and riveting than merely entertaining.
Christopher Nolan has brought together a team of masters in their craft to engineer a film that moves one in different ways. Hans Zimmer’s wondrous score which will constantly leave one uplifted and focused on glory, the sound itself tells us of the cinematic and glorious scope of Batman’s entire journey. The editing by Lee Smith - which makes scenes of action, which would otherwise be typical, stand out as intricate miniature stories in themselves - is simply terrific. Emma Thomas, to whom Nolan is married, has brought together the financing to make such a tremendous event happen when many would be reluctant to do so considering its dark and mature themes. What about the film’s cinematography? Wally Pfister returns as Nolan’s great DOP and surprises us by making day scenes fit the typically typed darkness of Batman. All in all, The Dark Knight Rises achieves and even betters itself from a traditionalist perspective crediting its use of real film in a ridiculous era of digital. Making it even more of a cinematic experience.
Needless to say, The Dark Knight Rises owes much credit to it’s auteur filmmaker Christopher Nolan, who has made a film that is both uplifting as well as a vivid reminder that there is always light even in the darkest of times. Without giving away the ending, your expectations are met and some hints are left as to what the possible future, if any, may be for this particular near perfect series of films. Perfection is the word here, as Christopher Nolan has done the best he possibly could have. In my opinion this is a perfect way to end a trilogy.
My conclusion is that whether or not this is actually better than it’s predecessors, one needs to consider that ending anything is never easy, it is too often a bittersweet occasion and that alone might take away the wonderful feeling of starting something anew. The Dark Knight Rises is a classic that will forever be remembered for showing us that you can never give up, even when up against unfathomable odds, one needs only to harness the will to continue the fight. Thank you Christopher Nolan as well as the entire crew for making a timeless motion picture!
4/5.
