Stunning, Brilliant, Another Nolan Masterpiece (No major spoilers, just talking about twists without saying what they actually are)

Rating: 10/10 (21 July 2012)

I have been a fan of Nolan films since I first laid my eyes on The Dark Knight as an extremely reluctant viewer. I was never a fan of superhero movies and never really wanted me to be. Then, I was introduced to The Dark Knight and my opinions changed. Nolan showed me a superhero who wasn't just this seemingly immortal, almost superhuman that I couldn't believe in nor was he ridiculous comic relief. Nolan created a character who was real and human and flawed. He was a superhero I could get behind.
I was a fan of Nolan from that moment, but then I saw Inception and it was like a film I'd always wanted but never knew how much, until it was being presented to me. It was brilliant and I was in love. Other Nolan films are the same, so I walked into The Dark Knight Rises with the highest of expectations and I was not disappointed.
I knew from previous Nolan films that the cast would be what made this film incredible. With my two favorite actors sitting in prime roles (Hardy and Gordon-Levitt) and several of Hollywood's biggest names filling out the rest of the cast, it promised to be one of the most brilliantly acted movies in the last several years.
Tom Hardy was a brilliant, cunning, scary, and sympathetic villain as Bane. The voice and accent he used which jarred me at first resonated throughout the film. The voice was larger than the man and larger than the film. Then, when Bane's real motivation is revealed, not only was I shocked, but I found myself identifying with him, which made the horrors he had perpetrated throughout the film even more horrific. Hardy steps into big shoes, and I know people will not be able to stop comparing him to Heath Leger's Joker, and on this I will say: They are two very different villains and they are both brilliant and serve different purposes.
I think perhaps an unsung hero of this movie is Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the young John Blake who believes so wholeheartedly in The Batman, even when the rest of Gotham is ready to cast him to the dogs. His relationship with Bruce and Gordon through the movie was compelling and created a character who was so simple, yet so innately good. In a way, so much like a young Bruce Wayne, a Wayne who had never been poisoned by the League of Shadows. Gordon-Levitt shone in this role because he didn't overplay it, he let the simple nature of the character demand his actions and made him just as real as Bruce Wayne. Finally, the reveal of Blake's birth name at the movie's end was a perfect finishing touch to the movie.
Now, I admit, I had my doubts when Anne Hathaway was cast in the role of Catwoman, the actress who had always been seen in sweet, innocent roles such as Ella, Mia, and the White Queen, I could see her playing Catwoman. I was afraid that she would detract from the film. I was proved resoundingly and wholeheartedly wrong within the first few scenes with this character. Hathaway created a Catwoman who belongs in this Gotham. A Gotham that relies on the symbol of a corrupt White Knight and had long been overwrought with petty crime and money-swindling. She's sexy, fierce, and able to change her motives and desires because as she said she's "adaptable." Once again in this character, Nolan creates a human and real character, because all this Selina Kyle wants is a new identity and a fresh start.
I could spend this entire review regaling the outstanding acting of this cast. Michael Caine has always stood out in these films, and he shone brighter than normal in this one. Gary Oldman is a chameleon as always and fits so brilliantly into the role you'd never know it was an actor. Freeman is amazing as only Morgan Freeman can be. Marion Cotillard's, Miranda Tate is brilliant and shocking within the final moments of the film.
Nolan has created a film that encapsulates the darker Gotham he created within the first two films. Plus, he shows a Gotham that is both suffering and prospering under the repercussions of Harvey Dent and having a hero they need but don't deserve. The Gotham revealed in this film is safer; the mob isn't an issue once in the film, most of the criminals are in prison, but it is still a Gotham that has been corrupt from the moment Batman Begins opened. Though this time, they are holding up a false idol, and it may take them just a bit too long to realize that Batman has always been and will always be their true hero.
After having seen several of Nolan's films and re-watching them as often as possible, I have come to respect this film creator like no other. He creates films that aren't only cinematic experiences but literary masterpieces, and The Dark Knight Rises certainly takes it place among them. They are shining examples that sometimes a movie can be more than a couple hours to forget the world, but a revelation of deep thought and true emotion. The themes guide these films whether it is the fear of Batman Begins, the chaos of The Dark Knight, the pain of The Dark Knight Rises, the limits of memory of Memento, or the limits (or lack thereof) of the imagination of Inception. Nolan is a film creator to watch out for, and I truly believe he is the Spielberg of this generation.
This movie was genius and takes its rightful place as part of one of the best film series to be released. I give it full marks and will definitely be seeing it again in theatres and adding it to my movie collection