The Dark Knight Rises

Marginal spoiler alert!

Of the three must-see movies I had on my list for 2012, The Dark Knight Rises had me the most excited. Once the tickets were booked, it was all I could think about! 

Finally the 8:30pm screening came around. The trailers had been and gone (no Superman trailer, unfortunately) - then, in sweet unison, the screen expanded and the lights came down - this was it!

Two hours, forty-five minutes later (I would've happily sat there longer), we were transported back to reality. Applause and cheers filled the theatre - a great time was had by all!

The Dark Knight Rises begins eight years after the events of The Dark Knight. It sees Gotham at peace, having bought in to the story that Harvey Dent was in fact killed by the Batman. As a hunted vigilante, Batman is no longer wanted, nor needed - it seems the police department are handling the criminal element of Gotham just fine.

The city has yet to learn from it's mistakes however. Like many cities the world over, no time or thought has been given to the equality of it's people. The rich are getting richer, with minimal regard given to those on the breadline.

What writers Christopher and Jonathan Nolan, and David S. Goyer have done here (as they did with the previous two films), is to comment on the state of our world at present - giving Batman real-world issues to deal with (fronted by some of the most villainous characters ever). 

We've seen Gotham at threat from both terrorist and economic attack in the past and these same threats spill over in to The Dark Knight Rises. These themes wouldn't look out of place on the 6 o'clock news - and consequently, much of the audience are already invested in the film before they've sat down in the theatre. 

New villain Bane takes centre-stage this time. Those familiar with the comics will know he's not to be trifled with. Those unfamiliar with the comics will, in short shrift, learn the same! Tom Hardy fills the role of Bane, a mercenary with muscles in his spit - with a plan to finish what Ra's Al Ghul started in Batman Begins.

The Dark Knight Rises harks back to Batman Begins more so than The Dark Knight in fact. As is the case with many a trilogy, the protagonist is often inclined to look back at their beginnings in order to see the distance they've travelled. This is a true trilogy in that regard (not in name only, like many a superhero franchise). There was already evidence of Nolans plans for a linear story throughout, when he picked up immediately after Batman Begins with the sequel. Despite the gap in years with this new film, story threads continue, with the likes of Harvey Dents death etc (not a single mention of the Joker, disappointingly).

Everyone else is present and correct of course, from Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman to Gary Oldman as Commissioner Gordon. There are new faces too, with the likes of Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle/Catwoman and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as police officer, Blake. All the actors are pitch-perfect in their roles - and despite the expanded cast (there's many a co-star to boot), each character is given an arc, each playing a pivotal role in proceedings.

Nolans approach to the Batman trilogy was to ground his character and supporting cast in reality, asking the question, how would things play out if Batman were real?
Nolan and his team follow this mandate with The Dark Knight Rises and for fans of the comic, there'll be the odd disappointment.
Despite it's comic book beginnings, Nolan isn't prepared to break his own rules, such as life after death (a main staple of the comic-book world), and nor should he.
The (heightened) reality Nolan has created here is the secret to the success of these films. The result has meant a broader audience beyond mere fans of the comic-book - a devoted audience willing to accompany this particular incarnation of Batman through to conclusion.

As is the case with many a Hollywood sequel, there's always the emphasis on bigger and better. Many a sequel goes bigger, but always at the expense of a quality story. Nolans sequel is truly epic, in both story and scale - playing like a western from the 60's.
The Dark Knight Rises never stops moving and is rich with detail. Whether it's one of numerous action sequences or a quieter character moment, each piece builds upon the last to create something truly grandiose.

The Dark Knight Rises proves to be a fitting end to Bruce Wayne's legacy as Batman (or is that Batman's legacy as Bruce Wayne?) - guaranteed there'll be tears and applause at any screening you attend!

It's been said that this is Nolan's last Batman film (I for one would be happy to see him make more). There'll undoubtedly be other Batman films, irrespective of Nolan's involvement. Whether they'll come close to his original and thrilling take on the character remains to be seen?!

5/5

Poster image #1 courtesy: www.empireonline.com
The teaser - and the best use of the Batman logo for this particular campaign.

Poster image #2 courtesy: www.comicbookmovie.com
This is a fan-made poster (my favourite I think). Be sure and check out the artist at: www.ryanluckoo.deviantart.com

Poster image #3 courtesy: www.empireonline.com
By the time this poster was released, I felt the Batman logo had been somewhat over-used. This was one of the few posters to surprise me however - take a closer look at the lipstick mark!