A Cinematic Master Piece

Rating: 10/10 (3 August 2012)

I really don't know where to start with this review. Having watched the film last night and digested it I'm still totally in awe of it. I was a tremendously happy Batman fan when Batman Begins came out and then The Dark Knight was on another level, but Rises is above even that. The superhero movie genre bar has always been Spider-Man 2 for me personally. Awesome script, awesome cast, fantastic director but above all a believable story that is told with heart and soul. The Dark Knight Rises is equal to that bar IMO.
A brief overlay of the movie is quite simple and you can read so many of them that it really isn't worth me outlining it so i'll just push on.
Christian Bale has totally given the performance of his life in this movie. Everything that he has got to give he has given in this performance. He really brings over his loss, his frailty, his bitterness, his anger and his helplessness more in this movie than in the previous two outings. I know that is difficult to believe but I feel its true. You see Bruce Wayne as a crippled, bitter outcast because of his time as Batman. But you also see a Bruce Wayne who is still tortured by his demons of loss, more so now since Rachels death in The Dark Knight.
Michael Caine as Alfred is rock solid as always. The forced, and sometimes bitter exchanges between him and Bruce Wayne are spoken with stern tone, but delivered as heart felt pleas. Pressing Bruce to back away, seek a life that can give him some fulfilment. Pushing Bruce for a legitimate excuse as to why he needs to go back to Batman.
Anne Hathaway was the real surprise for me is this movie. I must admit that when she was cast as Selina Kyle I was very doubtful that she could pull something like this off. Boy, was I so wrong. Hathaway was stunning as Selina Kyle and stunning as Catwoman (although she is only referred to as a Cat Burglar). Her performance is utterly fantastic and she really shines in this role. She is fun, witty, sarcastic but also brutal. But there is a caring side that, whilst it takes time to come over, is always there.
Gary Oldman really needs no mention. As with Michael Caine, give Gary Oldman a good script and he will make it glow, and he does, yet again, right here. His character is carrying the huge weight of the lie of letting Batman take the fall for Harvey Dents actions, whilst also making Dent out to be a hero. You can feel this weight on his shoulders from Oldmans performance.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Blake (and as someone else but you'll have to wait for it) gives a stellar performance that is sometimes dark and very believable.
And last, but by no means least is Tom Hardy as Bane. I was blown away by Hardy in this film. I loved him in Bronson, Inception, Warrior but this was in another stratosphere. As Bane, you never see Hardy's mouth speak a word because of the mask, but his eyes tell you exactly what emotion he is experiencing and that is an art form in itself. Casting Tom Hardy who is an extremely intense actor who really applies himself to his work, opposite Christian Bale, who is also a very intense actor who also applies himself totally to his work, was an utter stroke of genius. By the way I heard every word that Bane said and had no problems whatsoever understanding his dialogue.
One of the huge aspects of this movie, apart from the cast, is the story. This is a story which will touch us all, because we have all felt this way at some point. Give the people a chance, take the riches away from the bankers and make them pay. Take the law into your own hands and deal out justice in a way that suits you. But for every action is a reaction and it is fully explored here. There are necessary evils in this world whether we like it or not, and they keep the balance from tipping.
Chris Nolan is a Director who is a very, very smart guy. He lets you into the worlds which he builds wanting you to go with him. Whether that is Inception or Batman doesn't matter. He gives the people a chance to experience and absorb his intelligence and complete love for film making in a way that many other Directors can't seem to do. It's as if he gives you a personal front row seat and says "I made this for YOU, enjoy it". And you know what.....it works. I utterly loved it and will go again and see it in IMAX format this time.
And so another trilogy comes to a close, but this trilogy is no ordinary one. It is special....very special. Thank you to all who were behind this series of movies. You have all done an excellent job. And this just goes to prove that you can still deliver an epic movie, with an epic budget that has heart and soul and passion.
A tremendous close to a tremendous trilogy.