I’m going to get this out of the way right now: I think the Nolan Batman movies are overrated. I honestly do not be the massive obsession with Batman that the internet seems to have grown as of recently. I just don’t get it. I just…don’t like him all that much. As a character I honestly, just despise him. He’s a thug who puts on a costume and beats the crap out of people in Gotham because he lost his parents? Could just, I don’t know, fund the cities police with his personal fortune? Or you set up projects to help the slums of Gotham or…sigh. Whatever. Look I have my problems with Batman. But don’t get me wrong, I honestly still love the Nolan Batman movies. I don’t think they’re “the greatest movies of the last generation”. Regaining focus, Dark Knight Rises. On it.
Okay so the plot opens eight years after the events of The Dark Knight. Bruce Wayne is now a shut in, finding his life meaningless without Batman and without Rachel Dawes. Gordon helped to create something known as the Dent Act which has been ripping apart the criminal underworld and finds himself barely able to manage lying to the public about the death of Harvey Dent. And on Harvey Dent day eight years later, a man named Bane escapes CIA custody. The story begins here and I’m going to stop talking now that I’ve set this up mainly because the plot is excellent and I really don’t want to reveal anything to you.
What you’ve seen in the trailers can work as your marker for now: Bane wants a revolution of the people. To take Gotham from the rich by force. To equalize. And from there to let the world run. So obvious stuff right now, of course Bruce comes out of retired despite Alfred’s complaints to the otherwise, of course Gordon and the police chase after him like a criminal for the “death of Harvey Dent”, of course Selena Kyle shows up at as Catwoman and starts stealing everything not nailed down. However, predictability is something that this movie may seem like it has…but trust me it does not. The beginning is a little bit predictable but this movie starts pulling some ridiculous twists soon enough. I will bet good money that the only way you can predict the second to last twist is if you’ve seen spoilers or you’ve seen the movie already.
The big question on everyone’s mind though, how was Bane when compared to Heath Ledger’s amazing performance as the Joker. Well…he isn’t as good. But comparing to Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker is like comparing a film to Citizen Kane. I know it’s a cliche but there’s good…then there’s Citizen Kane. And that’s really the main fault with this movie. Bane doesn’t seem as charismatic as his men think of him as. The voice does help though, just through that he comes across less as a thug and more as an intellectual warlord. His voice when you first hear it…is kind of hilarious honestly, but after a few minutes of exposure, you get used to it. Once again though, despite all the nitpicks, Tom Hardy does an amazing job in his portrayal of Bane and is utterly terrifying.
Everyone who knows me, knows my opinion of Christian Bale as Batman. I love his Bruce Wayne but hate his Batman. His voice, when it’s not making me laugh, is just incredibly stupid. But enough of my personal complaints because somehow Bale listened to me, without knowing I even exist. His Batman somehow became remarkably better. His Batman is now matching his Bruce and I am extraordinarily happy about that. Anne Hathaway as Catwoman may have been the best casting decision made by Nolan in regards to these films (besides The Joker of course). She manages this effortless, sultry, sexy appeal that fits Catwoman so perfectly. Everything she does in this movie is absolutely amazing and there is honestly not much to say that wouldn’t be complimentary. And obvious statement coming up, Michael Caine’s Alfred steals every scene he’s in. Oh and Morgan Freemans Lucius Fox as well.
The acting is solid and the story is solid, but the question remains, is it better than The Dark Knight? Well…I don’t honestly know if I can answer that question. Main villain, Joker to Bane: Joker. Side villain, Catwoman (yes I know it’s a stretch but shut up) to Two-Face: Catwoman. Dark Knight Batman to Rises Batman: Rises Batman. Storyline…and this is the rub everyone. I don’t really know quite honestly. But for the sake of making a choice, I’m going to say Dark Knight Rises. So yeah. That’s my choice. Dark Knight Rises wins here.
One thing you’re going to want to know in advance, is that this is an exhausting movie. And no it’s not because the sadists at the theater I was at yesterday opted to turn the AC off, this movie has three climaxes and toys with your adrenaline because of it. You’ll end up on the edge of your seat, wired of your own system’s caffeine, just praying for things to finally hit the true ending. this is not a movie I want to see again…in another three months. It’s great but so very tiring (much like how the Dark Knight was and still is for me).
Final judgment then is a five out five everyone. It’s better than the Dark Knight and if you loved that movie (which I know pretty much every human being did) you’ll love this one.
Also, two things. A) there is no after credits scene so don’t waste your time. B) MAN OF STEEL TRAILER DEAR GOD I CAN’T WAIT. You better not screw up Superman, Schneider. Or I will find you.
