Beautiful, fast paced, but leaving something to be desired...

Rating: 7/10 (30 July 2012)

The Dark Knight Rises was a summer blockbuster movie to be sure, but a bit weak. Despite the epic moneymaking it accomplished, its filmmaking achievements were smaller than its aspirations.
Bruce Wayne has been a recluse for eight years, hiding from the cape and cowl. When a new menace comes to town, Bane, the Dark Knight must come back.
STORY - 3 out of 5
There are too many inconsequential side characters that populate this film. They introduce exposition that could be gathered in one scene, versus the seven expositional scenes the film begins with.
Batman is in the backseat, while Catwoman becomes the most emotionally invested character. Bruce Wayne isn't emotionally invested in any one thing, so his tale is very messy. Additionally, there are two under-developed, flimsy romances in this film, both of which make the movie suffer further.
The plot has a dramatic twist midway that resembles Transformers Dark of the Moon. And luckily, there is enough time allowed for Batman to return from wounds that should take years to heal from, just to save the day at the last minute.
OVERALL This movie is overrated. I love Christopher Nolan's films, but this time he did not deliver. The writing does not stand up. The directing is exhausted. Making feature films is tough, and Nolan gave himself too much work to do, failing to make the main characters the most valuable part of the film.
'The Dark Knight Rises' will make more money than 'The Dark Knight', and many people will love it and cheer for it, but there is more emotional depth, and better storytelling in the movie 'Ted', which is also out in theaters. And I don't mean that as a joke. Ted is a really well-made, good film.
Perfect Batman movie: Blankman Worst Batman movie: Batman & Robin