Not quite as good as the Dark Knight, but still a more than satisfying end to the trilogy

Rating: 7/10 (27 July 2013)

I had been waiting a long time to see the Dark Knight Rises and finally bought it on DVD. Having thoroughly enjoyed the first 2 instalments (particularly the Dark Knight), I went in with fairly high expectations and my expectations were met (just about).
TDKR begins 8 years after the death of Harvey Dent and Batman has gone into hiding after assuming responsibility for Harvey Dent's death and he is unable to face anyone and has pretty much become a 'recluse'. Bruce Wayne is a shadow of his former self - his confidence is broken and he is also broken physically. Madman Bane arrives on the scene intent on causing as much damage as possible - not only to Gotham City, but to Batman himself. With the threat of terrifying madman Bane making his presence very much felt and following the hospitalisation of Jim Gordon at the hands of Bane, officer Blake (Gordon-Levitt)persuades Bruce Wayne/Batman to step up to Bane and become the city's hero once again. Cat woman (Hathaway) is also involved in the proceedings - although you're never entirely sure whose side she is on for most of the film. . Bane's main motivations are not only to destroy the city, but he is also intent on using Wayne Enterprises own technology to destroy the city.
TDKR was quite different to the first 2 instalments as we get to see Batman's vulnerability - he is much weaker and has to train and get himself 'fighting fit'. Even when he is back to his 'fighting best' he is still not as strong as the powerful Bane and this is due in part to both Batman and Bane being trained by the same person Ra's Al Ghul (Neeson). In some ways, this was one of the strengths of the film in that we see that Batman isn't unstoppable and that he can't always rely on brawn to get the better of everyone (admittedly though it is still great to see him kicking loads of ass).
The principal cast of Bale, Hardy, Hathaway (Cat Woman), Oldman, Gordon Levitt etc all put in great performances. There were also some impressive special effects, but I suppose that is to be expected from a film with this kind of budget. Some of the fight sequences were also pretty well choreographed.
The only relatively minor negatives in TDKR mainly relate to Bane. Whilst he was a pretty good villain, I just didn't find him to be particularly interesting and he lacked the screen presence that Heath Ledger's joker had in The Dark Knight - the joker was clever, complex & funny. Bane was just a thug with very little depth. I also found that when he talked he sounded like a drunk Sean Connery - as soon as I heard him talking I found it quite hard to take him seriously.
This is still a very good film and fans of the first 2 films will not be disappointed with TDKR. A great end to a great trilogy.