"The Dark Knight Rises" Film Review
Risen. From the ashes.
5 Stars
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The best way to describe "The Dark Knight Rises" (TDKR) is by analogizing it to that of a train leaving a station. It starts off slow and steady, gradually building up steam. When it's operating at full tilt anything can happen.
In "Rises" Bruce Wayne/Batman (played by Christian Bale) has to overcome demons starting from the somber opening sequence all the way through a twist filled conclusion. Along the way he meets alluring personalities such as the devious, sexy criminal Catwoman (Anne Hathaway) and Bane (Tom Hardy), a ruthless mercenary threatening to become Gotham's reckoning. Batman stands in his way, but Bane's his strongest adversary yet. Only the will of ordinary people banded together can help save the city.
Aiding TDKR story are many grandiose set-pieces, Wally Pfister's flawless, sweeping cinematography and Hans Zimmer's genre bending score. Even minor details even feel like they've been given the five star treatment thanks to the inclusion of some slick transitions that bridge the gap between scenes. And while lacking a singular performance like Heath Ledger gave as the Joker in the previous Batman flick, "The Dark Knight", the caped crusader has never shined as bright on the silver screen before.
Despite the last two films sharing the 'dark knight' moniker TDKR has more in common with the first film in the series, Batman Begins. "Begins" and "Rises" are rooted in a more fantastical world whereas the events that take place in "The Dark Knight" seem plausible. For instance "The Dark Knight" is very gritty. The Joker has little ticks about him that are so unsettling and he very much feels like Michael Corleone from "The Godfather" series. Like Michael, the Joker is the head of a twisted, controlling crime family. Another reason why the second film is different is due to the exclusion of the League of Shadows, a Bildeberg-esque group that determines the fate of the world. Finally Bruce Wayne's mental state in disarray during "Batman Begins" and TDKR. However, Wayne's vulnerabilities are shelved throughout the second film because he's totally absorbed with defeating the emboldened Joker and his maniacal cronies.
Ledger's untimely death undoubtedly left a large void for the cast of TDKR to fill. Relying on an ensemble cast including Bale, Hathaway and "Inception" actors Marion Cotillard, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Cillian Murphy each help to carry the complex story forward. It would have been ill-advised to have an actor try to live up to Ledger's once in a lifetime, virtuoso performance.
Out of the "Inception" four, Gordon-Levitt's acting stands out the most in TDKR... Gordon-Levitt completely abandons the boyish charm he exhibited in film's like "500 Days of Summer" in favor of a more steely facade. As Officer Blake Levitt is a compassionate and hot headed cop working hard to pick up the slack for Batman (when he's a broken man) by keeping the streets of Gotham City safe.
Problems do 'arise' however in TDKR. Technically speaking the film is impressive, but the pacing of the movie is puzzling. Rapid scene changes occur on a frequent basis which leave a lot of loose ends untied particularly when dealing with character development. Catwoman is gone for large parts at a time and minor characters seemingly randomly disappear. The biggest issue though is the inaudible dialogue especially when Bane speaks through his mask. At least Bane manages to avoid total irrelevance due to his edge, menace and attitude. Sadly Arnold Schwarzenegger's appearance as Mr. Freeze, another iconic Batman villain, in 1997s "Batman & Robin" didn't share the same fate. Last, but not least, Batman is hardly in the film which will probably upset some people.
Less likely to upset, but frustrating nonetheless is the way Gotham City is presented. The filmmakers do nothing to hide the fact that Gotham City is really just Chicago, Pittsburgh and New York City rebranded. Overused film structures such as the Empire State Building are shown clearly in frame and it breaks that cinematic illusion (fourth wall) so to speak.
Director Chris Nolan closes out the Dark Knight saga in a cyclical, harmonious fashion. Along with fellow writer Jonathan Nolan and story co-creator David S. Goyer, Nolan crafts a world full of significant emotion, gusto and intricacies. By highlighting Batman's weaknesses and mercurial personality Nolan and co. unmask his superhero persona. Batman is indeed ruled by Bruce Wayne's idea of justice and not influenced by some higher, non-human power. Audience's will be left debating if Batman's selfish, even criminal decisions, are the right way to go about saving a morally corrupt city or if he is nothing more than a hypocrite vigilante. Whatever the decision one thing is clear: "The Dark Knight Rises" is the boldest, most explosive comic book adaptation to date.
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5 Stars
Blog Exclusive!
The best way to describe "The Dark Knight Rises" (TDKR) is by analogizing it to that of a train leaving a station. It starts off slow and steady, gradually building up steam. When it's operating at full tilt anything can happen.
In "Rises" Bruce Wayne/Batman (played by Christian Bale) has to overcome demons starting from the somber opening sequence all the way through a twist filled conclusion. Along the way he meets alluring personalities such as the devious, sexy criminal Catwoman (Anne Hathaway) and Bane (Tom Hardy), a ruthless mercenary threatening to become Gotham's reckoning. Batman stands in his way, but Bane's his strongest adversary yet. Only the will of ordinary people banded together can help save the city.
Aiding TDKR story are many grandiose set-pieces, Wally Pfister's flawless, sweeping cinematography and Hans Zimmer's genre bending score. Even minor details even feel like they've been given the five star treatment thanks to the inclusion of some slick transitions that bridge the gap between scenes. And while lacking a singular performance like Heath Ledger gave as the Joker in the previous Batman flick, "The Dark Knight", the caped crusader has never shined as bright on the silver screen before.
Despite the last two films sharing the 'dark knight' moniker TDKR has more in common with the first film in the series, Batman Begins. "Begins" and "Rises" are rooted in a more fantastical world whereas the events that take place in "The Dark Knight" seem plausible. For instance "The Dark Knight" is very gritty. The Joker has little ticks about him that are so unsettling and he very much feels like Michael Corleone from "The Godfather" series. Like Michael, the Joker is the head of a twisted, controlling crime family. Another reason why the second film is different is due to the exclusion of the League of Shadows, a Bildeberg-esque group that determines the fate of the world. Finally Bruce Wayne's mental state in disarray during "Batman Begins" and TDKR. However, Wayne's vulnerabilities are shelved throughout the second film because he's totally absorbed with defeating the emboldened Joker and his maniacal cronies.
Ledger's untimely death undoubtedly left a large void for the cast of TDKR to fill. Relying on an ensemble cast including Bale, Hathaway and "Inception" actors Marion Cotillard, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Cillian Murphy each help to carry the complex story forward. It would have been ill-advised to have an actor try to live up to Ledger's once in a lifetime, virtuoso performance.
Out of the "Inception" four, Gordon-Levitt's acting stands out the most in TDKR... Gordon-Levitt completely abandons the boyish charm he exhibited in film's like "500 Days of Summer" in favor of a more steely facade. As Officer Blake Levitt is a compassionate and hot headed cop working hard to pick up the slack for Batman (when he's a broken man) by keeping the streets of Gotham City safe.
Problems do 'arise' however in TDKR. Technically speaking the film is impressive, but the pacing of the movie is puzzling. Rapid scene changes occur on a frequent basis which leave a lot of loose ends untied particularly when dealing with character development. Catwoman is gone for large parts at a time and minor characters seemingly randomly disappear. The biggest issue though is the inaudible dialogue especially when Bane speaks through his mask. At least Bane manages to avoid total irrelevance due to his edge, menace and attitude. Sadly Arnold Schwarzenegger's appearance as Mr. Freeze, another iconic Batman villain, in 1997s "Batman & Robin" didn't share the same fate. Last, but not least, Batman is hardly in the film which will probably upset some people.
Less likely to upset, but frustrating nonetheless is the way Gotham City is presented. The filmmakers do nothing to hide the fact that Gotham City is really just Chicago, Pittsburgh and New York City rebranded. Overused film structures such as the Empire State Building are shown clearly in frame and it breaks that cinematic illusion (fourth wall) so to speak.
Director Chris Nolan closes out the Dark Knight saga in a cyclical, harmonious fashion. Along with fellow writer Jonathan Nolan and story co-creator David S. Goyer, Nolan crafts a world full of significant emotion, gusto and intricacies. By highlighting Batman's weaknesses and mercurial personality Nolan and co. unmask his superhero persona. Batman is indeed ruled by Bruce Wayne's idea of justice and not influenced by some higher, non-human power. Audience's will be left debating if Batman's selfish, even criminal decisions, are the right way to go about saving a morally corrupt city or if he is nothing more than a hypocrite vigilante. Whatever the decision one thing is clear: "The Dark Knight Rises" is the boldest, most explosive comic book adaptation to date.
“The Dark Knight Rises” was written by Christopher and Jonathan Nolan from a story idea by Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer.
As always thanks for reading!
© 2012 Matthew R. Reis, All rights reserved.
Solid review Matt. Makes me want to see the film ASAP.
ReplyDeleteThanks Geb! It's quite long, but worth it nontheless.
ReplyDeleteUh, Arnold Schwarzenegger didn't play Bane in Batman and Robin, he played Mr. Freeze...and Ledger's performance was great as the Joker, but people give it more credit than it deserves because he died before the movie was released.
ReplyDeleteYup your right and I know that Anrie played Freeze. I guess I had a brain 'freeze' for a moment there. Thanks for brining it to my attention though. And I respectfully, but wholly disagree about your thoughts on why Ledger was given so much props. Well before the movie came out and shortly before he died The Dark Knight trailer was released. The good buzz surrounding his performance was already high. His death, if anything, only made TDK gain a larger audience.
DeleteThanks for your comment!