I'm a Marvelite not A Nolanite but I really liked this.

Rating: 7/10 (12 August 2012)

I have to admit the above, as there's always a danger anyone giving this movie a high mark is instantly dismissed as a Nolanite Fanboy. I'm not: much prefer Batman Begins to The Dark Knight, and loved The Avengers - but this third and final offering from Chris Nolan is an excellent way for him to finish.
The 165 minute running time just flew over for me. I saw it in IMAX so maybe that helps; but this well-acted, splendidly-staged superhero drama is certainly one of the better movies of its genre.
It's eight years since the events of The Dark Knight, and in that time Bruce Wayne/Batman (Christian Bale giving arguably his best Batman performance) has become an emotional and physical cripple. He's long since hung up his cowl and gone reclusive, refusing to listen to Alfred's (Michael Caine - brilliant as ever)advice that it's time to move on.
It takes a new threat and a daring theft to wake him out of his torpor. We have Bane for the former (Tom Hardy, wonderfully malevolent but comically voiced) and Catwoman (Anne Hathaway) for the latter. I also liked her turn very much. Joseph Gordon Levitt also rates a mention for a strong and likable performance as a rookie cop.
I suppose the main thrust of the movie is can Wayne finally move on by defeating the greatest threat Gotham's ever faced? Can he settle into a normal life or have his demons finally defeated him? After a lot of build up (about 90 minutes) it's the final hour of the movie that really scores and hits home. It's brilliantly done and you'll leave the cinema more than satisfied.
A few quibbles, Bane's voice is a bit silly, and occasionally incomprehensible, the overall motivations of the League Of Shadows slightly confusing and Wayne's recovery from a damaged vertebrae frankly unconvincing. But these are small qualms for what overall is a fine movie.