Ever since I started this blog over
two years ago, there is one film that I have been chomping at the bit to
review; it is no secret to any of my regular readers that I am an absolute
comic book fanatic, but my love for Batman borders on obsession, so one can
sympathize with the high regard that I hold for Christopher Nolan’s
interpretation of the character.
Following the unprecedented critical and commercial success of 2008’s The Dark Knight, film fans around the
world rejoiced when Nolan announced in early 2010 that he would be returning
for the final installment of the series, and of course, I tracked every
development and announcement associated with the film like a hawk. With most of the high-profile cast returning, curiosity was very high concerning who would be added to the mix, and with Inception alum like Tom Hardy, Marion
Cotillard, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt coming on board, buzz went through the roof. Add-in the clever viral marketing campaign
and cross-promotions with the likes of Mountain Dew and Chevrolet, and no one
doubted that The Dark Knight Rises
was going to be THE movie to see of the 2012 Summer Movie Season. So, midnight IMAX showing ticket in-hand and
sporting my favorite Batman t-shirt alongside my equally-obsessed friends, I
was more than ready to see how Christopher Nolan would bid farewell to his
beloved trilogy.
Overall
Recommendation: Very High
Offering epic action, brilliant
writing, strong acting, masterful direction, and gratuitous amounts of
fan-service, The Dark Knight Rises is
a ridiculously entertaining film that demands your attention and earns both
your respect and utter reverence.
Because this superhero films acts as more of a direct sequel to Batman Begins than a standalone entity
in the vein of The Dark Knight, it
cannot be placed in direct comparison to the 2008’s juggernaut, but that does
not mean that this third entry doesn’t showcase its own merits. When you consider the scale of the storyline
and the epic energy of the narrative, what The
Dark Knight Rises has accomplished in terms of film-making is staggering;
the special effects alone are so strongly complemented by the IMAX film format and
Nolan’s direction that you will undoubtedly be on the edge of your seat for
most of the near-three-hour running time.
In terms of the performances delivered, each of the regulars more than
rose to the requirements of this final installment, but it was the new
additions that represented the biggest standouts; from Tom Hardy’s threatening physicality
as Bane, to Anne Hathaway’s sexy, no-nonsense demeanor as Catwoman, it is all
just…brilliant. Granted, at times the
story is heavily-convoluted and it is sometime very difficult to understand
Bane’s speech, but those gripes are easily forgiven in light of the project in
its entirety and the masterfully executed ending that will leave you
cheering. Bottom Line: whether you are a
comic book fanatic or someone who has never heard of Gotham City, DO NOT let
yourself miss The Dark Knight Rises.
