A Devastating fall and a heroic Rise

Rating: 9/10 (27 July 2012)

As the finest among contemporary visionaries, Christopher Nolan's strength has always been the narration of an intricate story that often tends to tease the mind. From the story of his origins to his sacrifice for a city, Nolan had turned the Batman into the darker hero that DC Comics had portrayed in recent decades. Now, in a conclusion to his epic trilogy, Nolan proves that Bruce Wayne and Gotham need Batman to exist as a storm is set to come in the form of his most powerful enemy, Bane. Nolan takes his time with a plot-heavy narrative that introduces new characters, Bruce Wayne's return from isolation and Bane's unconvincing attempt to become the most threatening villain Gotham has ever seen. These processes make 'The Dark Knight Rises' an epic that isn't necessarily flawless. 'The Dark Knight Rises' is the arduous fall and eventual rise of Gotham's true hero and that journey is through dark introspection.
Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) has become a recluse, confined in a section of Wayne Manor, limping with a broken body, the burden of Rachel's loss and Batman's sacrifice at the end of the previous saga that tarnished his image among the mob. After an unwarranted affair with investor Miranda Tate (Marion Cotillard), who salvaged the Enterprise's fortunes, Wayne recovers enough only to face Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway), aka Catwoman, who deceives him by regularly stealing his belongings and warning him about an imminent storm that will overcome Gotham. Batman must return to face this new threat that has its foundation in the sewer network under Gotham but Bane is no ordinary mercenary. His assault on Gotham would bring annihilation and before The Batman can stop him, he will break him.
The essence of the film's story revolves around the need for Batman. The focus remains on The Dark Knight's return after years of self-banishment, then his devastating fall and finally his prolonged, yet epic rise as the hero. Adjacent to this plot-line is the support that develops for him with the Gotham Police Department under Commissioner Gordon(Gary Oldman) and Blake (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Catwoman, Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) and of course, the heart of the film, Alfred (Michael Caine). These supporting characters do take up much of the screen time especially the Police Department, but without them, the Batman could not stand a chance against an enemy as brutal and indefatigable as Bane. Therein, also lies the film's most disappointing aspect. This grand villain for whom all this has built up. The Bane in DC Comic books was a giant compared to Batman. With the serum going into his body through tubes, his muscular bulk was intimidating and it even aided his intelligence greatly. However, Tom Hardy's Bane is merely the size of Batman, is in fact, slower in action and his plans of devastation are grand but we never got into his mind to see the evil developing. Besides, the voice dubbing was just ridiculous. Bane sounded polite and gentlemanly for some odd reason and more high pitched than the explosions he orchestrated. Bane was just Tom Hardy with a mask and a muffled voice. The evil wasn't just evil enough to be Gotham's reckoning and that's also why Heath Ledger's Joker is sorely missed.
Having said that, Christopher Nolan has not compromised in making this Rise an epic to behold. The opening sky-jacking sequence is nothing short of spectacular. The action with Batman is enthralling as he rides the Bat-pod through Gotham's streets with the entire Police Force chasing him, as he dodges an aerial assault while he maneuvers the Bat through Gotham's skyline and even while he fist fights with Bane. Then there are the explosions through the football field and across the city that are equally astounding. We only wish there was more of that rather than a love making scene with Tate.
Christian Bale handles the transition from a recluse to the rising hero with finesse. Bale's Bruce Wayne is flamboyant when rich but quite an introvert otherwise and darker when he is Batman. Gary Oldman as Commissioner Gordon has a chunkier role and has done justice to it. Joseph Gordon-Levitt has frankly had more time on screen than he deserved. Yet, it proves worthy when his future is revealed. Nevertheless, it's difficult to take him seriously as an Officer and a guardian. Anne Hathaway, as the conniving Catwoman or Selina Kyle is impressive. Far more than what Michelle Pfeiffer and Halle Berry were. Hathaway lends some liveliness and naughty charm to an otherwise somber and serious film. Marion Cotillard has a brief role but an important one. The twist in the story revolves around her and transforms her performance considerably. Morgan Freeman continues as Batman's 'Q' while Michael Caine is exemplary as Alfred, the film's subtle, emotional side. Nolan's version of Bane did not allow Tom Hardy to stand out as Batman's villain. Bane's destruction had a greater impact than his presence on screen. With the louder tone in post-production dubbing and an accent that sounds like an anti-villain, Tom Hardy just could not pull it off.
Warner Bros. Will be laughing like the Joker at the end of all this because Christopher Nolan delivered what we expected. Well, almost. The hype was immense, Batman was beaten half the time, the villain was nothing like the Joker and the film went through arduous lengths to conclude an epic trilogy of the Dark Knight. Yet, you will applaud at the end of it because it was quite a cinematic feat to engage the mob in such a spectacular, immersive manner. Nolan is a dream weaver and his work engages the mind tremendously. This may not be his most superior film yet but it's pretty darn close.
8.712 on a scale of 1-10.