A brilliant end to a brilliant trilogy

Rating: 10/10 (12 August 2012)

Christopher Nolan's version of the Batman universe is truly one of the most realistic and immersive versions I have seen. Whilst I'm not a major Batman fan, Nolan's trilogy had me hooked from the beginning. The films are mature and well-made, the characters are relatable and believable, the villains can be genuinely terrifying and the plot flows beautifully, never giving room for dull moments.
'The Dark Knigh Rises' is, in particular, the best of the trilogy and rightfully so, being the conclusion it certainly deserves to be called a grand finale. The cast, as usual, were perfect for their roles, new introductions such as Tom Hardy giving top performances and those from previous films, such as Christian Bale obviously, kept the standards high, if not raised them.
The movie definitely has the greatest scale to it, the shear size of the cast on screen at certain times shows how much effort and manpower has gone into making the film the stunning experience that it is. The movie takes elements from the previous films and combines them, raising the stakes in every way it can. The plot itself is even more gripping, the action more intense. For those that have seen the entire trilogy, you are made to feel this world that Nolan successfully draws us into over the course of the three films is in peril and you, as the viewer, begin to feel for it as much as those in the movie itself.
Once again, the plot is not as predictable as you might think, containing plenty of twists. It isn't always simply spoon-fed to you as with many hero-based films. I recommend watching the previous two films before this to truly appreciate this epic conclusion, however, even if you don't, the action-packed journey the movie takes you on should still have you greatly satisfied by the end.
This series stands out to me, from many other hero films, due to its maturity, its scale and the effort put in that can clearly be seen in all aspects, including the performances from the actors themselves. As a movie, it delivers everything you could expect and more, so even if you aren't a Batman fan, this film should appeal to you, providing you can appreciate a well-made film when you see one.