Just about enjoyable

Rating: 7/10 (24 July 2012)

Once the ref flags appear, it's hard for them to stop. There are several things happening in 'Rises', and to be perfectly honest I lost track of them, and most of the characters. Starting with Banes insane Sean Connery in a Darth Vader intro and a mid air hostile takeover. I can only assume that this was Nolans attempt to wow the audience after the utterly magnificent bank heist intro of TDK. If I understood what was happening and the reasons behind it, and I didn't think the aircraft was torn apart like a chocolate bar wrapper I might have been more impressed. There is Selina Kyles impeccable introduction, the opportunity to showcase her deft spot on hit the nail on the head acting prowess with this role. Anyone familiar with Batman 'The long Halloween' will drink in the homage with a smile. There is Waynes tracking down of this jewel thief and a ballroom dance which gave the film huge potential. Then there is the side plot of John Blake, a rookie cop who subsequently after poking his nose ahead of police protocol takes a swift rise to Detective. There is Batmans initial battle with Bane which pins the cinema audience to the screen. And then there is the slow spiral to Batmans downfall and potential destruction. After Wayne is thrown in Banes prison we are forced to deal with three plot lines. Banes continued anarchistic plans for Gotham, Selina Kyle's personal agenda to be freed from the clutches of the authorities by gaining a new slate and finally Blakes personal battle for justice. Add to that several scenes involving actors, seemingly to give the actors themselves screen time, almost like people wanted to appear in it and were given pointless roles. It is almost possible to hear Nolan cry 'action'- Q wall street motorbike chase and oh there goes the obvious stunt woman. Q Police vehicles, those extras over there and those prisoners waving guns and attempting to look angry. Oh, there is a nuclear device.. That can't possibly mean the possible end of Gotham as we know it if it gets into the wrong hands... Where is 007? I write with intended sarcasm because most of the film is completely lacking in the things we have grown to love about Nolans work. His films have never been shallow, always had depth and layered complexity. Here it seems like the whole thing was put together simply to tell a messy, unconvincing story without a regard for the intelligence of the viewer because we are all expected to understand that Batman escaped within 5 seconds from a nuclear device unscathed and that Gotham endured no subsequent fallout etc etc. There are saving graces. Anne Hathaway, I could watch the film again just for her. Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman are fabulous as always. Gordon Levitt is *ok*. I feel his scenes suffered because of the rushed production and the lack of time taken to put things together. Bale is fine, but there is little strength of Batman here, it's simple like he steps out of his cave to take a beating, saves the day to leave us again. I got no sense of inner fulfillment from an ending I won't spoil. Hans Zimmers score saves this from getting a much lower score, his music defines these pictures, as it does Inception. Recommended at this time, until another viewing simply for the pleasure of out dear Cat burglar. The Dark Knight Rises, but fails to make a real impression.