So dark only Batman can see in this one

Rating: 8/10 (20 November 2012)

This is a fascinating journey all right, and one even further into the arty dark fantasy this franchise has become. I admit: I prefer my Batman with the non-cynical eye-winking humour of Adam West and shaken not stirred, however I've followed the caped crusader's descent into the gutter with interest over the decades. Who hasn't?
A complicated story line has Bruce Wayne in ultimate charge of a rather dangerous potential nuclear fusion reactor, which is stolen by a distinctly nasty set of baddies ostensibly led by a chunky man in a muzzle: Wayne vs Bane as it were for control of Gotham City. At least that's what we're led to believe. I saw this the same weekend as Skyfall – instead of chasing after a little list there they're chasing after a set of fingerprints here. An awful lot happens in here – it is a very long film after all – and is nearly always engrossing and inventive. As usual in these comic book adaptations everyone has a lifetime's worth of emotional excess baggage weighing them – and us – down with gallons of heartfelt yearnings, observations and threats. Especially boring is butler Alfred (Michael Caine) continually exasperated with his Master and whinging endlessly about his apparent death-wish. The section in the prison with Bale sweatily trying to get out of the funnel would have turned Luis Bunuel green with envy, a nonsensical waste of time which even with the end reveal can't dispel. Also what gives with the modern fascination for the sometimes incomprehensible guttural mutterings by the cast – Christian Bale got so wrapped up in this rule he theatrically growled/grunted out a comment about the "shitizens" – how apt! Favorite bits: the Gotham shitizens putting on trial their previous oppressors, with Bane understudying Robespierre in the Reign Of Terror; the big suspension bridge being blown up in its middle yet not collapsing; a whole class of schoolchildren out of the whole city were nearly saved; the thought of 3,000 policemen trapped underground for 3 months – it must have been Hell in there!; Batman having his vertebrae re-aligned – felt that!; the views of grimy Wollaton Hall in Nottingham standing as Wayne Manor; the excellent production values and direction generally.
Very enjoyable, not to be taken too seriously and absolutely not worth anyone dying for. But Batman has almost grown up - if only Kurosawa had lived long enough, he might have wanted to direct the next one!