The Dark Knight Rises didn't rise to the expectations

Rating: 8/10 (16 August 2012)

For some time after the movie ended I didn't know whether I like it or dislike it. The truth is I had great expectations for this final installment. Having seen Nolan's previous movies (Batman Begins, The Dark Night and Inception) I was hoping for an epic conclusion to the Batman saga. The only things that were close to epic were the sound and the special effect. The story was, at least for me, disappointing.
What I liked most about The Dark Knight was that it wasn't that rooted in comics. It didn't use fantastic plots, characters or devices. It was simple, it was human. It was about a mad man (brilliantly portrayed by Heath Ledger, maybe one of the best villains in history) that was solely interested in killing the Batman. In his attempt to do that he creates twisting plots that lead even great characters into darkness. That was epic. One of the greatest action movies of all times.
*** Attention: spoiler ***
But then, what does The Dark Night Rises do? It returns to the plot from Batman Begins and connects back to the comics in a much deeper way than the previous movie. It's all about Ra's al Ghul, The League of Shadows and their attempt do destroy Gotham. Really? Come on Mr. Nolan, that was all you could envision for a finale? Someone attempting to revenge Ra's al Ghul's death and fulfill his destiny?
And then the ending, totally ruining any attempt of darkness for the movie. Such a Hollywood-style end. So predictable. Nothing but the cliché that allows someone to continue the saga just in case the studios think they can milk more money out of it.
Bottom line is the movie was disappointing. I gave it an 8 overall, but the story does not worth more than a 5.