An emotional tour-de-force but where is Batman?

Rating: 7/10 (21 July 2012)

First off, definitely go watch it at cinema. Its a very good film, not a great film like no.2 but a very good film none the less. The acting is probably the best of all three. The music, special effects etc. excellent. Directing 10/10. The time does go by very quickly, in fact I did feel it was short! as some bits needed more time, my guess maybe Christopher Nolan toyed with the idea about breaking it into two parts ending as has been the latest trend, but I am so glad he fitted it into one film for the ending, it is better. As others said it will be showered deservedly with Oscars, Michael Cain as supporting actor comes to mind.
In my opinion however, overall it comes close but not as good as no.2 (but better than no.1) That said, that's probably a matter of purely taste. Nobody in my opinion can come close to Heath Ledger (RIP), he made no.2 something...special. But in fairness Tom Hardy's portrayal of Bane the bad guy in no.3 does an excellent job of scaring the living daylights out of you. However, I think Nolan has made a mistake in making it too realistic, its a terrorist mixed fantasy film, very clever but its 9/11 esque style was not for me. Rather than focus on just one bad guy, at least one more opponent could have been included someone more fantasy to balance the realistic terrorist Bane.
This last film is an emotional tour-de-force but there is not enough action, it builds up the suspense and tension with great effect but for me I found the ending an anti-climax (there is a twist at the end of the film I would have left out, it spoils the film). I would like to have seen much more action of the man himself, at least ten minutes extra of Batman beating up bad guys. Its a very wordy film. Putting small gripes and niggles to one side it does do justice overall to the trilogy. You are left begging for more but in the words of someone past "here... we... go!". I for one will deeply miss Batman.