There's one question you'll be asking yourself throughout THE DARK KNIGHT RISES - 'What did Bane say?" Apart from some of the inaudible dialogue from the villain, Christopher Nolan ends his Batman saga with a great deal of satisfaction that will make you sad, or in my case cry.
In the third Batman, we find Bruce Wayne living like a hermit, holed up in his mansion walking around with a cane eight years after losing his beloved Rachel in the hands of the Joker. Batman is now a wanted man for the killing of Harvey Dent. Bruce Wayne is forced out of retirement when a new threat in the form of Bane, an excommunicated Ra's al Ghul disciple now acting as a mercenary, creates havoc in Gotham City. For the past eight years, Gotham City didn't need the Batman as the cities worst criminals were jailed under the Dent-Act, a law enacted in honor of the fallen hero to rid the city of criminals. The false idolizing of Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) eats away at Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman) who is tempted to reveal the truth and clear Batman's name.
After the movie, when my husband asked me if liked THE DARK KNIGHT RISES better than The Dark Knight, I couldn't answer. When I thought about it more, I realized both films are equally good and so different that they can't be judged in the same category. Christopher Nolan's writing team (Jonathan Nolan, David S. Goyer) masterfully crafted unique stories in each of the Batman films that each deserve on their own merit. But I can say Batman Begins would rank #3 in my book with a tie between the last two DC Comic movies In THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, every line of dialogue plants the seed for the finale. Thinking back now, Batman's fate can be traced back to Christopher Nolan's first Batman, Batman Begins. Each film is poetic, and this ending is fitting of the entire saga. Nolan wraps up everything so beautifully and leaves no detail unturned. The finale practically writes out the future direction of the franchise.
As with any movie, movie-goers are rooting for the hero, but in this third outing, the rooting factor is amped up so much because this frail and emotionally-wrecked character could possibly lose against Bane, a formidable foe and downright sinister being. Alfred expresses his concern for master Wayne and warns he should remain in retirement as the masked crusader. Watching the movie, the fear of this broken man's downfall seems plausible. While the character has always been vulnerable, Bruce Wayne no longer believes in himself or the Batman, which could only lead to disaster. And boy does it! The audience gasped when Bane violently takes out our favorite hero in one fight scene. It was heart-breaking. By the end, the stakes are high, and the viewer hopes Batman can once again go up against the monster.
Was Bane a better villain than Heath Ledger's The Joker? Again two entirely different characters that must be judged independently. The joker by far was the most animated, comical, and susceptible to harm, but Bane is a much more serious foe that can actually whip Batman into oblivion. Bane does an exceptional job as the oversized, inhumane brute with a mask that looked highly uncomfortable for the actor.
My one complaint about the movie is Bane's muffled dialogue, and the accompanying film score that seemed to dominate many scenes where the actor's lines were not so clear. I wanted someone to press pause on the intrusive score. The problem may not have been the production's fault, but rather then theater audio system which rattled the complex every time there was a loud scene with the score. All the more of an excuse to see it again in a different theater to test that theory and catch up on what I missed the first time.
Anne Hathaway, surprisingly, was a good catwoman. Unlike the previous versions, Selina Kyle did not transform into the cat woman accidentally. She's a petty cat burglar who just happens to know how to fight and wear tight fitting leather outfits. The screenwriters layered her character very thoroughly, and made her an interesting character whose loyalties lay with neither side except her own. Anne Hathaway brought a sultry side to the character, which we've never seen before from the actress. I'll be the first one to say I was wrong about Nolan's choice in casting her. Having a second strong female in Marion Cotillard's character was also a good choice. Women rule in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, especially in the end sequences.
When news of all the new cast members were announced before the film went into production, the one thought that came to mind is 'how are they handling all these new characters?" But we are talking about Christopher Nolan. The new actors under his direction fit in well and held their own against the returning stars. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is proving to be a standout actor, and with this movie is moving into movie star stature.
Watching it in a true IMAX theater made the experience all the more grandeur. While I don't advocate spending that much money on an IMAX screening, this is the type of movie worth spending those extra bucks especially when its shot with IMAX cameras as Nolan did in a couple scenes.
When the credits rolled, it was sad to realize this was the last film Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale would make. Nolan brought a quality to the super hero film that no one will be able to replicate. Although the finale sets up a new chapter in the DC Comics story really well, how can any other filmmaker top that level? Hopefully Warner Bros. and DC Comics won't make the same mistake again and bring in another actor to fill Batman's shoes.
The Batman Dark Knight franchise definitely goes down as the best trilogy ever in cinematic history.
Related Articles
13-Minute Preview of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES
THE DARK KNIGHT RISES Movie Prize Pack Giveaway
Dark Knight Rises New Character Posters
THE DARK KNIGHT RISES Movie Production Notes
THE DARK KNIGHT RISES New Poster: Apocalyptic Finale?
