The Broken Bat

Rating: 6/10 (15 September 2014)

After watching TDKR for the second time I finally decided to share my opinion about what this movie does right and where it goes wrong.
When first watching the movie on the big screen I was deeply disappointed by the final installment of Nolan's Batman trilogy although I really wanted to like it. As a fan of the iconic character I found the first two movies to be very satisfying, if not great. Now, about two years later, I gave it another shot and revisited this rather underwhelming spectacle. Like I mentioned, I really wanted to like this movie but the second viewing only confirmed how disappointing TDKR actually is
One of the better aspects of TDKR is the direction. While staying true to his original interpretation of the famous superhero, Nolan nicely incorporates references to some of the source material's more famous story lines like KNIGHTFALL or Miller's THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. Some of the more emotional scenes are great and he also pulls off some really impressive action sequences like the staged plane crash or the detonation of Gotham's explosive concrete underground. The cast is also a definitive plus for the most part.
While there is not much to complain about the acting or the directorial work, it is the writing where TDKR gets foul. I don't want to discuss the obvious plot holes or the sometimes inappropriate and elusive behavior of some of the characters here. Instead I think it is more important to mention TDKR's main problem which has to be the ridiculously forced development of the plot often leaving the impression that the writers just wanted a little too much and thus spoiled the script with some unnecessary decisions, especially towards the end of the movie. It would have helped to keep the story more straight forward instead of trying to thrill the audience with unnecessary twists, especially those involving Talia Al'Ghul/Miranda Tate and Alfred. Although Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway) is quite likable and entertaining, the incorporation of Catwoman seems somewhat redundant. And what about John Blake's (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) birth name? Robin? Seriously?! Not to mention Talia's ridiculous dying scene...
TDKR could have been a worthy conclusion to Nolan's trilogy but instead turned out to be the weakest installment by far. All's well that ends well? Not really. What a shame.