The pinnacle of the Batman trilogy

Rating: 9/10 (21 July 2012)

We decided to watch The Dark Knight Rises even though we were not sure about the movie being too dark or depressing like The Dark Knight. To my surprise it is a superior movie that wonderfully finishes the story of this trilogy with an uplifting end.
It's a long ensemble movie that focuses on a mature storyline, characterization, production design and a sheer thrill ride from beginning to the end. Any great Batman comics always has at its center, a great story. And this movie delivers on all fronts criticizing our current financial woes, domestic terrorism, Patriot Act, civil defense, while staying true the previous movies and its comics roots.
The actions, gadgets, weapons and cars were just icing on the cake in this respect. But even so, the action sequences were orchestrated with great composition and effectiveness by the great maestro, Chris Nolan and his crew, so that they carry the story forward and adds to the drama.
The movie also has hearts and probably the most engaging interaction between Bruce Wayne, Alfred, Commissioner Gordon and others. I feel that their interactions has more substance and repercussion than the previous installment. Even Jim Gordon has some action scenes. Honestly, I have not felt so much thrill in a cinema and my heart was pounding all the way through the last 15-20 minutes of the movie.
In terms of characterization, where The Dark Knight was always in the danger of being overshadowed by the Joker and Harvey Dent/Two-Face, here Batman/Bruce Wayne plays a central role. The rest of the characters are then weaved into a beautiful tapestry of drama and mystery worthy of Frank Miller or Dough Moench.
By the end, The Dark Knight Rises feels like a cacophony that gets louder and stronger as it progresses from darkness to light, and eventually rewards its audience with a great closure to a great trilogy.
Furthermore, I love all the references and tributes to all the comics series that have inspired the movie, such as: Knightfall/KnightsEnd, No Man's Land, Batman: Year One and Two, Vengeance of Bane, Tales of the Demon, etc.
The last scene alone was a wonderful kudos to Batman comics in the 1950s, where fans are given a glimpse of what life is like for Bruce Wayne after Batman. And of course the cameos from Ra's Al Ghul and Jonathan Crane were nice little treats, if not a little short.
Amanda Tate and John Blake were wonderful additions to the story, and in case of the latter, a nod to the future.
Here's a toast to Nolan & Co. for giving this long-time Batman fan an incredible masterpiece that rises above expectations and shines through the dark skies of Hollywood like the Batman beacon.