Film Review: The Dark Knight Rises

Director: Christopher Nolan. Stars: Christian Bale, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, Morgan Freemen, Marion Cotillard.

Released: July 2012

In what is arguably the most anticipated film of 2012, Christopher Nolen delivers his final installment of what has become known as the “Batman Trilogy” with an emotional and physical punch.

I can’t (and wont) say too much about the plot and storyline, but overall The Dark Knight Rises does bring an end to everything nicely...for the most part.

Of course Nolan does an open ended type ending up for interpretation, which seems to be becoming one of his trademarks, remember Inception and Memento. Is the final image real or a figment of Alfred’s imagination? In a way he had to. Not only to ease the business minds of Warner Bros. executives over their rights of Batman, but to keep in line with the comic rules of ending a story, but not really ending it.  I’m still undecided if I liked this element of the ending. I did not hate it, but I didn’t love it either. That may change as I think about that more.

This may be just me being overly picky, but it did feel slightly unrealistic to have Bruce Wayne mourn and pine over Rachel for at least 8 years and be a loner, only to suddenly be open to a romance with Miranda Tate. Granted they did know each other before in a professional sense, but one quick walk in the rain seems to be all it takes for Bruce to fall for Miranda.

I must also admit that at times I did not understand what Bane was saying, but Tom Hardy gives a solid performance (more on that in a bit).

I typically think that these big blockbusters are overhyped and fall short, but as mentioned, there was a lot I did enjoy and The Dark Knight Rises is a solid film, no matter what genre you place it under.

Christian Bale once again shows why he is one of the best working male actors today. Yes, the Batman voice can be distracting, but as I read on another blog, if Clark Kent can wear glasses and not have his Superman identity known, than Batman should be able to change his voice and hide his identity as Bruce Wayne. If you think of it like that, it works.  Not just in his performance as Batman, but in Bale’s acting in general can seem over the top and cartoonish at times. There were a few of those moments, but not enough to ruin the film/character/performance.  It is just how Bale is. Take it or leave it.

Tom Hardy as Bane is mentally ruthless and physically powerful. To act with such a claustrophobic mask is difficult. The actor must rely on his eyes, body language and actions to portray the character when majority of the face is covered. I don’t believe many actors could have pulled it off. Hardy does, and surprisingly at one moment adds an emotional and almost human element to Bane.

One of my biggest scepticisms going into this film was the casting of Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman. To me I see her more as a bit boring and a goody goody. This is not based on previous roles; I’ve seen Rachel Getting Married and Brokeback Mountain. Although I’ll always have a soft spot for Michelle Pheiffer as Catwoman, Hathaway surprised me in her performance. She will be seen in a different light now and introduce this character to a new generation. She managed to bring elements of sexiness, physical and emotional toughness and softness, as well as not overdoing the campiness that is needed for the role. Thank you for only one “cat got your tongue” line.

Also, and this is also very important, I want her boots. A gal needs a pair of boots like that.

One final performance I enjoyed (my fantasy brother) is Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Officer Blake. Outside of Commissioner Gordon (Oldman), he is the only one who still believes in Batman and becomes his ally. Levitt even does a bit of a voice change himself for the character, a deeper one with a type of Boston or maybe Bronx accent, but that’ okay. Levitt’s performance and the characterization of Blake shows there is power in being subtle and being honest, or more importantly, the true good guy. Almost any young actor could have played this part, but Levitt’s talent makes it his own and with a story of his own to tell.

Of course Michael Cane and Morgan Freeman as Alfred and Luscious Fox are, well, Michael Cane and Morgan Freeman. You know what you are going to get.

Either than a really ugly flying object used by Batman, the effects are a nice balance of CGI and real stunts and old school special effects, as typical of Nolan, and some great action sequences expected in a film like this.

Out of the three films in the trilogy, and being the final one, this has a sadder and dark tone compared to the other films. It is not light and funny as in The Avengers. When you’re dealing with a character like Batman/Bruce Wayne and a villain like Bane, while attempting to root it in realism with serious themes that echo in today’s real world, with the comic book elements fans want, you have to.

Christopher Nolan set the bar high (and arguably the new standard) when it comes to both action and comic book based films. It will be interesting to see, years from now of course, when Batman Rises once again, what new interpretation and relevance can be done with it.