Basically a decent movie, but something's off.

Rating: 6/10 (31 July 2013)

(only minor spoilers ahead)
First of all: yes, it has good moments, and it's at least a mediocre Batman film. There's easily three movies' worth of material here. It looks (mostly) good. The characters are (mostly) good.
..and yet I can't love it. I liked Batman Begins a lot, and loved The Dark Knight. The Dark Knight rises is something I do like at times, but would've wanted to like more.
These are my main problems:

There's just too much going on. It's hard for me to emotionally invest myself into something particular, when there's 300 subplots (some of which I didn't care about too) going on. I don't mean it's too hard for me to grasp, but there's just too much stuff for this film to have a bigger impact on me. Thus some big scenes and plot twists just...they just go by, often rendering each other useless and I feel nothing. This has an effect to everything. This movie tries too damn much, and it certainly shows.

Alfred's character. Caine is a remarkable actor and once again delivers, but something is off with the writing. It's a full 180 from TDK's "Be the Batman, Gotham needs Batman, Endure good sir!" to "You're done, I can't stand to lose you, let the people handle themselves". I can't get over this, especially considering how important character Alfred is and how he's usually involved in setting up the certain mood/theme for every Nolan's Batman movie. Funny, because this movie, much like Alfred, can't really handle things.

This is a minor thing, I know. Shames me to even say this, but...some visual concerns. Not the CGI, more like artistic choices. Batman looks more silly than ever in his costume, especially in daylight. Less shadows, less cape, more funny-looking plates and armor. Another minor gripe: yes, the voice. Especially when talking to people who know his identity.

Often this movie just didn't reach that "Batman feel", even if I wanted it to. It's also sad that the more I watch it, the less I like it.
The positives? Exactly what people tell you. Bane was sometimes at least a very interesting character, some elements of the basic running story is adequate (though plenty of stupidities), some settings are impressive, some dialogue is good, technically this movie is well done. Absolutely not a shitty movie, but disappointing to say the least. I just can't throw superlatives on this one. It's not The Dark Knight. The Dark Knight Rises is my least favorite of the three (which can be translated to "It's still a good trilogy").