The Dark Knight Rises

Rating: 10/10 (7 November 2012)

Firstly I will say that I loved Batman Begins. Then Christopher Nolan gave us The Dark Knight and I felt it was on a whole other level than Batman Begins. I went into the cinema to The Dark Knight Rises on the day of release with high expectations. These were blown away! I even went to see it at the cinema again and I've never done that before! (I understand other people saw it many more times but still a first for me)
The acting was absolutely superb! Christian Bale was at his very best playing Bruce Wayne/Batman. Michael Caine was brilliant as Alfred despite his short screen time and I feel the performance was Oscar nomination worthy. Anne Hathaway was a better Catwoman than I could have imagined. Joseph Gordon Levitt was really good as Blake. Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman were good as always playing Gordon and Fox. Marion Cotillard was good as Miranda as well. Finally Tom Hardy as Bane. I thought this was good casting from the start but I never imagined something quite this good! Tom Hardy stole the show for me just like Heath Ledger did in The Dark Knight. Bane is one of my favourite baddies of all time now and while it wasn't quite as good as The Joker, it was as close as it was ever going to come. Tom Hardy is worthy of an Oscar nom for his portrayal of Bane especially since he was restricted with the mask and had to convey emotions through eyes, voice and body language. There were a few moments where I couldn't understand his voice but sometimes it just took a few extra seconds to absorb it and his voice sounds too awesome to care anyway.
Wally Pfisters cinematography was incredible once again and I think I see another Oscar nomination for him.
Hans Zimmer's score was his greatest yet in my opinion and it really added to the emotional depth of the film and just got you into the film right from the start. Dare I say it another Oscar nomination?
Finally Christopher Nolan's Direction was incredible as always and I truly believe this to be his finest creation to date and he must get an Oscar nomination if not his first win, he definitely deserves it.
Overall this film was outstanding, one of the greatest films ever made,the finest of Nolan's Batman trilogy and the best superhero movie of all time. An Oscar nomination is deserved and I think any other film coming out this year will struggle to beat it.