Didn't waste anytime to see this final installment of Nolan's masterful Batman trilogy. It was no doubt the icing on the cake. Of course there was much hype following the success of The Dark Knight in 2008, and Heath Ledger's iconic role as the Joker. The series has somewhat turned into an obsessive cult, and unfortunately there was a terrible shooting at one of it's premieres in Aurora, Colorado. As tragic as this is however, it would be unfair to see this is as a negative reflection on the Dark Knight series. Christopher Nolan has not only revamped the Batman series, but has introduced a completely original style of filmmaking and storytelling.
The premise of The Dark Knight Rises, continues 8 years after the previous film, where Harvey Dent/Two Face went on a killing spree and put the entire blame on Batman. Bruce Wayne, played once again by Christian Bale, thus lives in his mansion in total exile, growing weaker by the minute. However he is finally stirred out of his cave, when a new villain arises in Gotham City. Once again director Nolan, delivers on a brilliant villain, that is Bane. Bane is played by Tom Hardy, with a demonic robotic voice, and abnormal strength to match his genius mind. This makes for an exciting physical confrontation, since Bane was the legendary comic villain who "broke the bat".
Yet as usual, the Christopher Nolan story is never as simple as a superhero vs a villain. There are numerous complexities, twists, back-stories, and supporting roles that make this film all the more intriguing. In this film we are introduced to a slew of new characters such as the seductive Catwoman, played by Anne Hathaway; the ambitious police office John Blake, played by Joseph Gordon Levitt; and finally the executive board member, Miranda Tate, played by the stunning Marion Cotillard. Each of these characters bring forth a mysterious background, making their roles in the story all the more suspenseful.
The usual characters provide a basis of familiarity in the story such as the loyal butler Alfred, played by Michael Caine; Commissioner Gordon played by Gary Oldman, and the CEO of Wayne Enterprises and scientist Lucius Fox played by Morgan Freeman. Each of these characters support Bruce Wayne and believe in the necessity of Gotham's masked hero, the Batman.
Once Batman is back in true form, the story really begins to draw the viewer in. It is full of intense action; chases, battles, and fights throughout the city. Each of these action scenes are intensified by a Wayne Enterprise weapon, such as his tumbler, bat-cycle, or new Bat-jet. Gotham is torn apart by Bane and his army of mercenaries, and Batman is eventually defeated and thrown into a dungeon. Bane is thus able to hold the entire city of Gotham as his hostage. The city becomes an island of anarchy, run by a warlord without any protection or order.
Inside the dungeon, Batman must come to terms with his past and essentially "rise" out of the cave. Here he learns more of the League of Shadows and especially his new arch-enemy, Bane. After several attempts he is able to climb out of the dungeon, and return to Gotham to face Bane. This is of course the climatic battle of the film, and does not disappoint. Batman is able to gather up his loyal companions, such as Commissioner Gordon, Lucius Fox, Officer Blake, and Catwoman, resulting in a cliche battle in the streets of cops vs. thugs. While facing Bane, he must also quickly defuse a nuclear bomb ready to blow up the entire city.
The story takes a sudden twist, when Talia Shire, the daughter of Ras Al Ghul, reveals her master plan to finish her father's League of Shadow plan. As Gotham is faced with total oblivion, Batman rises to the call to sacrifice himself and successfully save the city of Gotham. The movie then appears to be over, with everything back to normal. Officer Blake takes on the new role of Gotham's protector, as Robin. The film then ends in the city Florence, where Alfred is enjoying a coffee, and looks over to see a retired Bruce Wayne laughing happily. It is the perfect ending to an incredible trilogy!
The premise of The Dark Knight Rises, continues 8 years after the previous film, where Harvey Dent/Two Face went on a killing spree and put the entire blame on Batman. Bruce Wayne, played once again by Christian Bale, thus lives in his mansion in total exile, growing weaker by the minute. However he is finally stirred out of his cave, when a new villain arises in Gotham City. Once again director Nolan, delivers on a brilliant villain, that is Bane. Bane is played by Tom Hardy, with a demonic robotic voice, and abnormal strength to match his genius mind. This makes for an exciting physical confrontation, since Bane was the legendary comic villain who "broke the bat". Yet as usual, the Christopher Nolan story is never as simple as a superhero vs a villain. There are numerous complexities, twists, back-stories, and supporting roles that make this film all the more intriguing. In this film we are introduced to a slew of new characters such as the seductive Catwoman, played by Anne Hathaway; the ambitious police office John Blake, played by Joseph Gordon Levitt; and finally the executive board member, Miranda Tate, played by the stunning Marion Cotillard. Each of these characters bring forth a mysterious background, making their roles in the story all the more suspenseful.
The usual characters provide a basis of familiarity in the story such as the loyal butler Alfred, played by Michael Caine; Commissioner Gordon played by Gary Oldman, and the CEO of Wayne Enterprises and scientist Lucius Fox played by Morgan Freeman. Each of these characters support Bruce Wayne and believe in the necessity of Gotham's masked hero, the Batman.
Once Batman is back in true form, the story really begins to draw the viewer in. It is full of intense action; chases, battles, and fights throughout the city. Each of these action scenes are intensified by a Wayne Enterprise weapon, such as his tumbler, bat-cycle, or new Bat-jet. Gotham is torn apart by Bane and his army of mercenaries, and Batman is eventually defeated and thrown into a dungeon. Bane is thus able to hold the entire city of Gotham as his hostage. The city becomes an island of anarchy, run by a warlord without any protection or order.
Inside the dungeon, Batman must come to terms with his past and essentially "rise" out of the cave. Here he learns more of the League of Shadows and especially his new arch-enemy, Bane. After several attempts he is able to climb out of the dungeon, and return to Gotham to face Bane. This is of course the climatic battle of the film, and does not disappoint. Batman is able to gather up his loyal companions, such as Commissioner Gordon, Lucius Fox, Officer Blake, and Catwoman, resulting in a cliche battle in the streets of cops vs. thugs. While facing Bane, he must also quickly defuse a nuclear bomb ready to blow up the entire city.The story takes a sudden twist, when Talia Shire, the daughter of Ras Al Ghul, reveals her master plan to finish her father's League of Shadow plan. As Gotham is faced with total oblivion, Batman rises to the call to sacrifice himself and successfully save the city of Gotham. The movie then appears to be over, with everything back to normal. Officer Blake takes on the new role of Gotham's protector, as Robin. The film then ends in the city Florence, where Alfred is enjoying a coffee, and looks over to see a retired Bruce Wayne laughing happily. It is the perfect ending to an incredible trilogy!
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