That's how you conclude a trilogy

Rating: 10/10 (20 July 2012)

Superhero trilogies have a way of ending in a sour note. This is the first one to end on a high note.
Straight to it. The plot: Takes place 8 years after the events of The Dark Knight, Batman has disappeared, Gotham is enjoying peacetime, Comissioner Gordon is racked with guilt having to conceal Dent's murders,and Bruce Wayne is a recluse whose physical and mental condition has deteriorated. Bane emerges as a new villain who plans to destroy Gotham (which oddly enough looks exactly like New York City now, instead of Chicago like the last two films). Like Batman Begins the events leading up to the grand destruction are subtly put in place to show us the calm before the storm. And as you can tell from the trailer Bane severely injures Batman and drops him into this underground jail.
Unlike TDK, TDKR has a much more cohesive plot with much less plot holes even though they still exist its not as extensive as TDK (5 dead two of them cops, where?!). It also has a proper three act structure with a climax towards the end of the film and not the middle like TDK. I also felt that this film had much less cheesy dialogue than TDK.
The cast is again on point here. Christian Bale again does a pretty good job in showing a Bruce Wayne gone through hell, and this time he eased up a little on the Batman voice. Michael Caine as Alfred who is still the comic relief but unfortunately he's absent through most of this film (part of the plot). Gary Oldman as Comissioner Gordon, who's not so stressed out in this film like he was in the last oddly enough. Joseph Gordon Levitt plays John Blake an idealistic cop who actually is useful. Morgan Freeman, still love him. And Marion Cotillard plays a new board member Miranda.
Anne Hathaway as Catwoman was incredible. She was actually really hot, her costume looked dynamic like an actual high tech jewel thief and not some sort of weird S & M outfit (safe to say she doesn't have a whip), and she was portrayed as a femme fatale which was so much cooler. When initially learning that Tom Hardy was going to play Bane and not some taller guy, it was the same reaction as to when we learned Heath Ledger was playing the Joker, and yet again I was proved wrong. Tom Hardy was menacing as Bane. He looked physically imposing and his voice is much clearer but still a little muffled.
This has to be the best superhero trilogy ever made. Since DC Comics keep re-imagining their characters they are open to many artistic interpretations and Chris Nolan did it the best with Batman. He took this comic book character that for many years was placed in this very cartoonish universe and was put in a very realistic place making a very visceral piece of art. Each film had a very different look to it and thats what makes it a really good trilogy.
I have very little gripes with this film, actually just one but that pertains to the ending. But its just a minute detail.
On a side note I hope the state of Colorado can pick themselves up again after another tragedy. I hope the United States realizes how important regulating guns is and not chastising the media (this is just a friendly message from a Canadian friend don't take it the wrong way).
A very satisfying conclusion to an excellent trilogy.