Theatricality and Deception, Powerful Agents for the Uninitiated

Rating: Null/10 (11 August 2012)

Christopher Nolan's 'The Dark Knight Rises' was perhaps the year's most awaited film and it certainly made its stay at the box office. Nolan's Batman films are mostly about style and as such this film definitely scores top points. Is it better than the previous two films? It's better than 'Batman Begins' and to an extent even 'The Dark Knight'. The pacing is better. Of course, the story here is predictable but one doesn't watch these films for innovative storytelling but entertainment. The energy level is uneven but the action sequences are dazzling. Sound design isn't first rate but the visual effects are good. Although I did miss the batmobile, the bat motorbike was pretty cool. I also liked that this one has plenty of humour (though I'm not sure whether it was always intentional).
Christian Bale is passable here (his Batman voice still cracks me up). Of course, Michael Caine is superb. Morgan Freeman does a fine job. Joseph Gordon Levitt and Matthew Modine are alright. Tom Hardy is effective as Bane (even though it sometimes requires effort to make out what he's saying). Marion Cotillard is fantastic.
My biggest quib was with casting Anna Hathaway as Catwoman, who in my opinion is among the most fascinating comic book villains. The actress herself isn't bad by any means. She does a decent job in portraying feline mannerisms (without overdoing it like Halle Berry did) and is terrific in the comedic sequences. However, Hathaway lacked the femme fatale, enigmatic quality that make Catwoman so remarkable. Turning her character into a petty burglar just didn't do much.
Sexuality is also a key theme in this film. At times it is subtle (Bruce Wayne's bisexuality is made more apparent here) and at times not so much (Selina's relationship with Jen and Bruce).
Nolan's films have gained a massive following including within Hollywood (one may have noticed the many forgettable cameos, Cillian Murphy being the exception). Nevertheless, I'm curious to know what turn the next movie would take.