The Dark Knight Rises but sadly falls down flat on its face

Rating: 7/10 (27 July 2012)

Heads up!This review MAY contain spoilers or NOT.
OK,the long awaited third installment of Chris Nolan's Batman saga has arrived. I had enjoyed the previous films of the series(Batman Begins and The Dark Knight) so I was really hoping this will be a perfect ending to the franchise. Alas,sadly,I was so disappointed.
WHY?! I'll tell you,by gumption WHY! First,the good stuff: The beginning of the film was so cool and compelling. We are introduced to BANE. I tell ya,Tom Hardy,is one of the finest actors I know. He still manages to deliver intimidation with just his eyes and vocal modulation,when you can understand him(MORE ON THAT LATER). The whole scene was just cool with the abduction of the nuclear scientist was fantastic!Really stylish!Hands of to Nolan for that. Anna Hathaway's performance as Selina Kyle(aka CATWOMAN),was superb! She caught me totally off guard.She was witty,funny, and dangerously seductive in this role. Sheesh!She now OWNS this character. I do believe she and J.Gordon Levitt(Officer blake)were some of the cool things about this movie. Christian bale,Michael Cain,and Gary Oldman as always give strong solid performances(two Oscar winners and a nominee,don't worry Gary you're going to get yours soon!). The fight scenes between Bane and Bats were cool. THe first one in particular!It was BRUTAL. I felt an acid of FEAR for the dark knight when he engaged in hand to hand with this behemoth of badness!Good stuff.
Alright now for the disappointing stuff. I just can't wrap my brain around the fact that ol' bats "retired" for 8 years because of the loss of his supposed true love.WTH?! That's not the Batman I know. Him feeling sorry for himself,especially of a woman? AGain I say,WTH?! If anything,the would've thrown him MORE SO into his work of fighting crime,ANY CRIME! Harvey DENT ACT BE DAMNED! Just so out of character. I understand the nolan brothers perhaps wanted to add some "realism" in the script,but guys,bats ain't REAL.He's a comic book ICON with one of the most richest and fantastic histories.Don't disrespect that.
The pacing of the film was slooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow. Not to mention when Bane and Bats meet for ROUND TWO in the third act,we find out that Bane was really JUST A HIRED GOON?!!WTH.That kinda deflated his whole bad assness for me!dammit. His death really was disappointing too.sheesh.
Like I said I did have high hopes for this film and it's sad to me that it had to end this way. Should you see it?Sure.However,just go with no expectations. Visually the film is impressive for sure!