Gigantic & almost an epic

Rating: 8/10 (9 December 2012)

My growing years witnessed tryst with comic heroes which had always fascinated the directors resulted in various adaptations being made in celluloid. While you have the films with one-dimensional superheroes fighting villains in a counter-strike fashion, there is also more mature psychological take to these genres in the form of Batman. Batman was never a superhero and his strength comes from his will and ability to invent new gadgets. The dark nature of the comics suits the character of Bruce Wayne. After Schumaker's hara-kiri in form of "Batman & robin" Nolan took the charge and we had the spectacular "Batman Begins" & "The Dark Knight". His new venture "The Dark Night rises" which ends the trilogy is a deserving conclusion to his adaptation of the knight in black.
TDKR takes us into Gotham city eight years from Harvey Dent's death. After taking the accusation of Dent's murder to protect the city, Batman is in recluse but Commissioner Gordon plans to tell the truth to the citizens of Gotham while somewhere far away Bane is creating an army to create havoc and destroy the city. The crippled Bruce Wayne seems too weak in front of the mighty big army. There we have Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Detective Blake, Miranda each aiding Bruce Wayne with the much needed support to put on the mask of Batman though his butler-cum-guardian Alfred is not sure about his master's current physical abilities. Thus begins a fight for Bruce Wayne with inner self as the city is on the verge of destruction. As the film proceeds it seems Bane is just a trigger to someone more powerful behind the mayhem and the reason is still under wraps.
Nolan didn't resort to cheap action sequences to drive the plot. The setting is grandeur but there is more to the plot than plain thrills. In TDK Joker was the devilish reflection of Batman who wanted to create chaos and anarchy against the existent system.He created the ripple and illusion of a perfect system was broken, as Batman took the responsibility of Dent's murder.Thus Dent's wrong deeds were buried to create an image of a hero who could be looked upon by the Gotham civilians. In TDKR Bane comes in and tells the truth even before Gordon could address in public. By revealing the truth Bane tried to weaken the morality of civilians who had false faith in the system.He continued to play the rich-poor divide giving every civilian imaginary power to uplift their will. Even though his mechanisms seem revolutionary underneath there are monstrous intentions. Nolan should be credited to portray the perfect reel image of Batman with Wayne saying the young Blake how Batman is just a symbolism of strength, hope and optimism. Anybody can be a Batman if one respects one's ability to even assure a child that he/she is safe and the world will not end. There is a reflection of "Batmanbegins" where Gordon had said the same to the young orphan Wayne. Nolan successfully uses the cinematic platform to raise relevant questions on the way democratic nations work and shows swaying nature of common man. Nolan has always been acknowledged for his visual aesthetic sense and he takes it to another level with this film. There is no over-the-top action sequences, no gimmicky in form of 3-D but still those few in there are stunners. The sequence where the city is blown up especially the baseball field execution was brilliant. The bike chase scene was superb. The one-to-one combat in the finale was great albeit hurried and somehow the urgency to wind up within 3 hours was reflected. The twist in the tale though relevant could have been done more tactfully.
WalleyPfister and Nolan camaraderie worked in this film also. Pfister's camera work is marvel especially the scenes shot inside the prison where Wayne is captured. Zimmer's music hits the right note and the occasional muteness creates an uneasy sensation within.
JoesphGordon-Lewett showed the vulnerability and strength of a young officer Blake who is awestruck by Batman and believes in a superhero saving the world. Blake was nowhere less than Wayne in saving Gotham. ChristianBale is always reliable in any role and he has given the best celluloid rendition of the dark knight. Bale's range of emotion effectively showcases a middle aged billionaire who is weak but still has the zeal to fight back. Bale's chameleon-ish ability gives a human shape to the superhero who is just an ordinary man in dire need to regain the confidence. GaryOldman continued his part as Commissioner Gordon with full enthusiasm. Veterans MichealCaine and MorganFreeman are reliable as always. AnneHathway looked stunning and suited the role of Catwoman. Her fight sequences made me think that any man would have gladly been defeated in the hands of such a beauty. And before I get carried away, there was another beauty MarionCotilard, splendid as businesswoman Miranda who takes over Wayne's empire with the desire to use the technology to create a clean world of sustainable energy, a topic much discussed in the current world scenario of global warming, pollution and shortage of non-renewable energy. Marion looked confident during the final reels where she confronts Wayne.
Late HeathLedger's flawless portrayal of Joker is still afresh in our mind but still Tom Hardy did catch attention as Bane. With a gigantic figure Hardy gives his best, while mouthing the dialogues that had authoritative power. Taking the idea from "Knightfall" Bane is strong, brutal and intelligent whose idea is much bigger than just creating anarchy.
On a whole TDKR is a deserving epic conclusion to the trilogy. Admittedly there were plot holes but nevertheless the effort is applauding. Keep your expectations moderate and witness the rise of Batman a symbol of human strength, a concept beyond "above the world" superheroes.
P.S : Those who came for special effects only would be disappointed. For them there is always the Avengers series which are more action driven than plot.