Astounding EPIC

Rating: 9/10 (20 July 2012)

Firstly, a note to everybody who's watched it or planning to watch it soon, PLEASE DO NOT compare The Dark Knight Rises (TDKR) with The Dark Knight. The fact is that however epic TDK was, TDKR is quite different in terms of treatment and flavor. When Christopher Nolan announces that he's going to make an 'epic' ending to his Batman series, one can't help but raise hopes from the third and last installment. And Nolan has really lived up to his words.
TDKR is an epic in many ways, and a different kind of epic than TDK. Right from the superb opening sequence where we get to witness the gruesomeness in Bane's character, TDKR lets you right in to the story, scene by scene, (sometimes) rushing through various new characters as well as some old ones. In terms of story development, there's not a stone left unturned to take a good v/s evil storyline to such astounding level. The film does justification in every form to the comic book as well. Christian Bale is too good as the dark crusader of Gotham city. He plays Batman with certain smugness that George Clooney (Batman & Robin) and Val Kilmer (Batman Forever) could not when they had their chance in Tim Burton versions. Gary Oldman as Commissioner Gordon is in perfect form. Anne Hathaway is competent as Catwoman and has a character worth looking for. Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine are top notch as Lucius Fox and Alfred respectively, and they add some emotional quotient to the film. Joseph Gordon Lewitt has an important role, which one could guess from the trailers itself! Marion Cottilard as Miranda Tate (a new character) has a role to watch out for. Lastly, Bane is not the best villain so far, but has been earnestly played by Tom Hardy. Bane's presence is quite menacing throughout the movie. He may not be as smart as Joker, or may not have quirky dialogues like him, but is definitely scary enough. Liam Neeson as Ra's Al Ghul and Cillian Murphy as Dr. Crane have short and important roles. Although TDKR isn't completely devoid of loopholes too, but we can surely overlook those as a cinematic liberty. The film is paced so fast that even at a runtime of 2 hours 42 minutes, one feels as if he's been rushed through scenes and there should have been a little more character development (specially a little more attention could've been given to Catwoman). At some places Bane's voice isn't quite audible and same can be said for Batman too (or it may be the faulty sound systems at the theatre in which I was watching it). The movie finally brings to full circle the Batman legend, and tries to tie up all loose ends. The unexpected twist in the end seemed really surprising and disappointing to some extent. TDK's epicness lied in its solid characters, splendid acting and befitting dialogues, whereas TDKR's epicness is defined by its breathtaking scenes and action sequences, remarkable camera-work and cinematography, spectacular special effects and CGI and most of all an honest intention to give complete justice to the legend of Batman! My rating 4.5/5 A piece of advice – Do watch batman Begins, and The Dark Knight back to back before watching TDKR and chances are you'll enjoy this movie more!