The ending this trilogy deserved.

Rating: 10/10 (31 August 2012)

I, like many others i'm sure feared for the final instalment of this trilogy. I waited in the cinema on the day of release hoping that Christopher Nolan could again pull the same level of ingenuity out of what must be a very deep bag of tricks. I was not disappointed and I hope that my faith in the man never wavers again. Let's get into it.
The story carries on eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, Gotham is supposedly a much safer place as a direct result of the work Harvey Dent, Commissioner Gordon and not to mention a certain Dark Knight put in during the second film. Poo hits the fan as a new villain, Bane arrives and quickly begins to wreak havoc in the underground network beneath the city. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne has retreated into his mansion and appears to have literally become a shadow of his former self. In fact our main character is not actually seen until a good 80% of the other characters, old and new have introduced themselves. This gives us a good chance to let us get to grips with what our orbiting cast members are, and will be up to. However, this is a batman film and where the emphasis may have been taken off Bruce in the last film as a result of the near perfect villainy of the Joker, our attention this time will be transfixed on the bat as he makes his weary clamber up from the depths.
Christian Bale puts in another solid performance as the crime fighting billionaire. Bale's character is again like-able and believable. There is the charm and suave impression which Bruce needs and which Bale delivers. To add to this there's the fact that he looks like he will beat you senseless. After watching all three films I'm not even sure I want to see another actor attempt Bruce Wayne.
Secondly, our new antagonist, Bane played by Tom Hardy. When I saw that Tom Hardy was cast for this role I felt relief that the role would be in safe hands. Hardy establishes himself within the first few lines of the film and once he's unveiled is downright scary. Hardy has seriously put in some work to get in shape for the role and succeeds in providing a physical as well as mental match for Batman. The initial worries and complaints I had heard about his voice beneath the mask were banished. I was not expecting the voice I heard and again I was not disappointed, i'll leave it at that so as not to spoil too much.
If i have to have to hear the Bane vs Joker debate one more time between my friends so help me I will break all of their backs and leave them in an Indian prison. Two very talented actors put in two incredible performances as two very different criminals... and that is all that needs to be said... Luke!
To move on, Anne Hathaway has successfully slinked very nicely into her role as Selina Kyle. Hathaway's projection of this character captured the essence of "the cat" without breaking the boundaries of Nolan's dark, gritty saga. Selina was sexy, although not overly sexy by quipping cheesy lines. She was lithe and agile but in a believable way that did not involve her using a whip to mobilise through the streets of Gotham. Hathaway's portrayal was brilliant and not to be sniffed at in the slightest. "call me?".
Next up, I think a hats off is required to both Joseph Gordon- Levitt and Gary Oldman once more for their performances as the young Officer Blake and the hardened Veteran Commissioner Gordon. Both played their parts very well and even complimented each other as the worked in sync to provide Batman with the support he requires.
I'll comment on these characters especially as I feel that their characters gave the most depth and interest to the film.
To conclude this short insight into the film, Nolan really did it again, the use of themes, imagery, vast sets and characters which people want to go home and "google image", collide together and snowballs to create a truly epic conclusion. It satisfies viewers in a way few three part sagas have ever pulled off and I went home without any questions playing in the back of my mind. The message behind the film has multiple layers and connects with the audience. The films presents the darker side of humanity and the potential for chaos, as well as the the unity of the wider population and the willing to do good. The third and final instalment draws well on the foundation paved in the first film as well as the dark undertones presented by the second. The Dark Knight Rises is the best film in my opinion of the year, as a major fan of this series I was not disappointed (though perhaps biased). I would hope that if anyone would indeed read this and has not seen the film they would be able to set aside my prejudices and go see what is truly an awesome film.