There's a reason why it's never a good idea to trust Hollywood Hype.....

Rating: 1/10 (20 July 2012)

First, I hate hype. I hate it because it destroys the freshness of the movie watching experience. Try as I might, if I hear a movie endlessly heaped with unmerited praise by both the Press and personal acquaintances, I cannot go into the theater either with my hopes raised too high or finding that I have to actively tell my self NOT to expect too much - which raises my cynicism unfairly, as well.
Second, I love film. Not just the special effects (if any) not just the obvious flash and bang and occasional celebrity, but the very craft of film is wonderful.
Or at least - it should be....
I'm surprised not enough people - mainstream media and the rank and file moviewatcher - have seemed firm enough on their opinions of the Dark Knight Rises to just come out and be fully honest.....this was a BAD film.
I'll go even farther - based on his track record - and considering film an art form which depends on certain technical merits to be considered "good" - Christopher Nolan is a BAD Film Maker. He makes BAD films. The reason Warner Bros has to hype these films to the heavens is because they MUST generate a feverish, feeding-frenzy of excitement and expectation because they KNOW that the film cannot stand alone on its own merits.
The Dark Knight Rises is filled with many bad cuts, clichés and overblown imagery and political statements as The Dark Knight was. That's right - the Dark Knight was also a BAD film. Plot holes, bad performances, bad casting, bad cinematography, bad edited - all of which are the result of BAD Directing. No one who loves film can honestly declare these films good. They may not know it, but they are under the thrall of HYPE.
And on that same note, no one who actually considers themselves a fan of Batman - not the movie Batman, but Batman as he has existed for the 70+ years before Nolan got his mitts on him, THE Batman - can honestly say Nolan has done these characters justice. Especially considering the end of the film.....
*SPOILERS - Do NOT read on if you don't want to know how the film ends. You have be WARNED. SPOILERS* *SPOILERS* By killing off Bruce Wayne, Nolan has declared that as far as he is concerned Batman is dead. The films are dead. The franchise is dead. Oh, WB may considering another reboot (of course they will), but Nolan is making sure that you remember that HE told the ultimate "Batman" story and that no one can follow him. Instead of relying on these cheesy gimmicks and poorly developed ethical and political statements, he should spent the time and money hiring a decent screenwriter.
Hate me. Go ahead. You're entitled. And I'm entitled to hate this film.