"Batman" Good Plot, but Technically Poor and Very Violent

Rating: 5/10 (21 July 2012)

I saw "Batman: The Dark Knight Rises" after the incident in Colorado. I talk a lot about that in my opinion piece, which you can read in all the usual places, including AmericanEntertainmentReport.com
The point I made in that column is that is impossible for most people, including me, to not think about this movie in the same way as those who saw if before the tragedy did.
I didn't care for this movie that much. Most of my reasons have to do with poor production values and with the acting. Technically, I didn't think it was very good. I noticed several bad edits, out of sync audio, and one fight scene between Batman and the bad guy where you can tell the film was sped up. This was a "keystone cops" quality effect not worthy of the amount of money spent on this film. At almost three hours, this movie was WAY too long. It drags in spots where it should be moving along. I also was disappointed that there was no bat mobile and it lacked the gadgets we want to see coming out of the caped crusader's utility belt.
The cast list has Christian Bale back as Batman/Bruce Wayne , Gary Oldman as Commissioner Gordon, and Morgan Freeman back as Fox. Quite frankly, these three usually fine actors appeared to be there more for a pay check than to do a good job.
Tom Hardy is the new villain, "Bane." While convincing, the silly mask he wears makes him hard to understand at times.
The stand-outs here are Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the young police detective who "gets it," Anne Hathaway as Selina (aka "Catwoman"), and Michael Caine, who is again marvelous as Alfred the butler.
Here is the place where I am not sure what to say. I found this movie one of the most violent I have ever seen. It disturbed me. So I must ask myself: "Would I have thought the same thing if I had seen this movie before knowing about what happened in Colorado?" The answer is: I will never know.
The movie has a good plot, but the ending is a little predictable, so the best I can give it is 2 out of Fordyce. Since I don't want to spoil anything for those of you who may wait a while to see this film, I will just say we are left with the possibilities of much more from Batman in the future and a strong hint of who will be dressed in the famous cape and cowl next.
Should you stay or should you go?
Credit Check:
Nothing happens after the credits roll.