The Dark Knight Rises Review

Miraculously blending in beautiful characters with a multidimensional narrative in grandiose action set pieces, Christopher Nolan has changed the way blockbusters can be made. Being a true artist to his own sensibilities, Nolan has crafted one of the most impressive, uncompromising and eternal franchises in recent memory. As without any forgetfulness, both "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight" have periled through the road of expectations set in place in terms of both being comic-book films but in general, being marvelous works of art without compromising to the Hollywood system of numbing the audience's intellect with dazzling special effects. His films are more everlasting and impacting than the usual Oscar contender could ever hope to be. Everything is meant for a purpose, including the stunning action set pieces that are more grand and magnificent than any $200 million dollar CGI blockbuster. As with "The Dark Knight Rises," not a single frame is wasted as it marches through its run-time to not only deliver an enthralling epic blockbuster, but a very fitting conclusion  to one of the most troubled, fascinating character arks in comic book films. Aided by the gripping IMAX technology make this cinematic delight an experience not to be missed on the big screen

Taking place 8 years after the Joker's ravenous plague for destruction in "The Dark Knight," Batman has retired as he is wanted for taking the fall of Dent's tragic death (only known to Gordon and the caped crusader) and now with laws built upon a lie, it eats away both Gordon and Bruce Wayne, who supposedly has chosen the Howard Hughes lifestyle of being secluded in his home, away from all to see. Unfortunately,  Wayne must dawn his Batman uniform in an unyielding stance against a powerful force known as Bane(Tom Hardy) who's bent on bringing Gotham to ashes with his efficacious plans for destruction and putting Batman in his most fragile physical state as Bruce must endure punishment from a formidable foe of epic proportions.

As broad and customary that narrative may sound in word, the experience is a whole level of grand storytelling. As Nolan crafts more layers upon layers of characters just as integral as the main forefront stars with Michael Caine's Alfred being the one voice of reason for Bruce, Morgan Freeman as the smart, relying Lucius Fox and Gary Oldman as the vigorous sterling Commissioner Gordon. Along our veteran characters, we are treated to a new slew of characters with the standouts being Ann Hathaway as the sleek, sexy, alluring Selina Kyle (Catwomen, even though no mention of the name) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a young "hot-headed"  idealistic cop, John Blake, who comes off more of Batman's relentlessness pursuit for justice with Gordon's morals and ethics. But no matter how many characters Nolan introduces, he never looses focus of his main intent, and that is to close a chapter in Batman's, and more importantly, Bruce Wayne's moral conundrum of giving a legacy for generations inspired by Batman's accomplishments with the cost of Wayne himself. And in a  film that is built on Christian's Bale's agonizing harrowing performance as both Wayne and Batman, Bale comes to levels of arresting levels of acting as he comes through and creates a Batman unimaginable by any artisitc auteur like Nolan. Bale is to be greatly commended along with the rest of the brilliant cast.
                                             

With Bale leading the momentousness tale, the supporting cast only makes the whole epic more richer in experience. The more definite standouts have to be newcomers Tom Hardy as the menacing Bane and Ann Hathaway as the slick, seductive and self-sufficient Selina Kyle (or as others would point as "Catwomen" even though she's not mentioned by name).  For a villain who's mask covers most of his face, Tom Hardy's performance is not only a challenge, but a wondrous and chilling effect with what he's able to accomplish with both eyes and the intense ominous presence he creates when in frame. While his last scenes are poorly underwhelming and one while can't grasp the character of Bane of anything being more than a uncompromising storm rather than an interesting psychology to the character, Hardy does his job well. Hathaway is certainly the more fun aspect to this film as she commands the scenes she's in as she can be attractive yet deadly, but with the ambiance she fills the room is a fascinating watch. Michael Caine delivers an exceptional performance with just little scenes to leave an ever-lasting impact to the viewer. His relationship with Bruce is more than being a father figure, but the only figure of reasoning and care that Bruce seems to have lost throughout these films. Caine brings a powerhouse of subtly to this conclusion.

While Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman are still able the recurring qualities to their characters, its newcomer Joseph Gordon-Levitt who brings a fresh richness of being a young rookie cop who's bent on bringing moral justice to a city lost in turmoil. Unfortunately, not the same can be said for Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate who seems more skewered in the story rather than feeling natural and her twist seems too quick and rushed without any justification even as earlier on she tries to get the hots for Bruce. And it is in that where Nolan might have shot himself in the foot as he jumbles many plots and characters like Mathew Bodine's thankless role, that aren't integral to the narrative,. It seems he's trying to fulfill the requirements of this being a grander, more lushness third film in a trilogy of epic tales.

Luckily, that's about the only faults to be had with "the Dark Knight Rises" as the rest of his writing and story-telling narrative is superb. Perfectly blending in relevant themes and grounding them in a super-hero film only makes the film more enjoyable. Aided by Hanz Zimmer strikingly astounding score which is more than an adrenaline rush throughout the film as it helps the pacing feel natural and quick. Also, the beautifully crisp cinematography done by Nolan regular, Wally Pfister, as action and scenes are diviner and enchanting with the framing and color brought to the IMAX screens.

                                               

Christopher Nolan is a true filmmaker. Rather than succumbing to a Hollywood studio responsible for a bloated blockbuster like "The Green Lantern," Nolan meticulously crafts his films that a lot of delicacy and respect is given to material such as Batman. As his impeccable direction and writing gives more life to the blockbuster genre that's been missing for decades. He is more than a man who gave Batman a great film, but gives audiences smart, deeply thought provoking films while dazzling the eye, can be morally intellectual without ever feeling preachy or too heavy handed. "The Dark Knight Rises" is a spectacular film that gives a fine conclusion to a series of films that has had more substance than any film in recent memory that general could hope to achieve. The potential possibilities from the Batman lore is bountiful, and Nolan, while not continuing these films, has given it a perfect heart and soul very well deserving.

                                                               A- by Amritpal Rai