Josh: Film: The Dark Knight Rises

The cast of 2012's best film?

The Dark Knight Rises, is the third and final instalment of the Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy which started back in 2005 with the innovative success that was 'Batman Begins'. The film sees the continuation of Bruce Wayne's story this time eight years on since the events in the popular favourite blockbuster; 'The Dark Knight'. Living as a recluse Wayne is Batman no more. He isn't needed during a time of peace that's graced Gotham City due to the Dent Act based on lies about a Harvey Dent who everybody believes that Batman killed. Only Comissioner Jim Gordon knows and carries the burden of the truth. The movie sees a terrorist known only as Bane, who has to breathe through an apparatus, plan to destroy the city. With Bane threatening Gotham and the dark times returning, Batman must come back with the help of his old friends and new ones including a hot-headed police officer, John Blake, and a seductive cat-burglar, Selina Kyle. With an enemy of superior strength and high intellect, Batman faces his most difficult challenge both physically and emotionally in one of the most enjoyable 165 minutes of your cinematic viewing experience.      Without exaggeration I can honestly admit to struggling to form any kind of sentence for about an hour and a half after watching this film. After recovering from my awe I was able to think about the characters of this film considering the fact that this movie relies on its focus on characters. Anne Hathaway’s Selina Kyle looked promising from the trailers and I think she proved a lot of people wrong with her portrayal. Her character was intriguely complicated and I very much preferred her more loosely sexualised interpretation of Catwoman compared to the innuendo filled Michelle Pfeiffer version that we witnessed in Batman Returns (1992). Though a manipulative criminal, you're able to realise her true intentions through the effortless performance Hathaway gives. Catwoman isn't a superhero and she isn't a villain, she's a blend of both worlds and works independently, the example of strong woman in a male-dominated world in which she is able to outsmart many of them. Though Catwoman's intentions can be selfish she's the mix of personalties you need in the very black and white world Nolan has created. A superb version of the character.

Gotham's finest; Blake and Gordon

     Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s John Blake was the unsung hero who had many particularly brilliant moments during the movie. The way in which Gordon-Levitt is able to play this newly invented Nolanverse character sees the audience gain a connection with the character of Blake, meaning we can be sympathetic to him throughout. Marion Cotillard's Miranda Tate's is a rather ridiculous attempt at giving Bruce Wayne some sort of love interest but the true nature of this character is something unexpected and yet rushed too.
     Morgan Freeman’s Lucius Fox was nicely used for his wit during this very dark film and was used appropriately when his character's skills were required. He featured more than usual here and I'm glad he did. Michael Caine’s Alfred Pennyworth is sadly neglected and used more as a plot device more than anything yet still greatly performed and loveable as usual. However, though a stellar job, Caine's version of Alfred doesn't make a mark on the late Michael Gough who remains an adorable piece in the sometimes grotesque jigsaw that's the original Batman series. Gary Oldman’s Comissioner Gordon features heavily which is something I really appreciate Christopher Nolan for doing with these modern Batman movies. The role Oldman has played has been consistently, without fail, being stunning. Oldman’s performance is just another reminder why he’s referred to as one of the many greats of the Hollywood industry. I’m glad Nolan’s shaped his character similar to his comicbook counterpart. In the original Batman films Gordon, as played by Pat Hingle, was a lame attempt at making the Comissioner a source of humour which failed and I look back at those films and realise how much potential that character has when comparing to the Dark Knight trilogy Comissioner.

Bane versus Batman

     Now, Tom Hardy's Bane. As the main antagonist Bane doesn’t really have a backstory which is something that seems to happen with a lot of villains in the Batman universe. Bane's story is very sketchy and just like Heath Ledger’s Joker (a glorious performance by the way) he’s a very complex character that needed some sort of reasoning behind the motivation he has to destroy Gotham rather than what the script gives us. Bane doesn't fit into the category he's thrown into and its one of the few faults wrong with this film. However, I can admit, without knowing everything it adds to the entertaining mystery surrounding the character. Bane’s highly intelligent and ruthless. He’s not stupidly bulky or dumbed down like in the ridiculous Batman and Robin but a believably intimidating dictator which slots in perfectly with the thematics of this dystopian world we're launched into. Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne, though played well previously, has usually been slightly wooden. However, in the Dark Knight Rises he reflects a multitude of emotions we barely see from that actor. I was actually surprised at how good Bale was here and my respect for him as an actor, though already high, has increased that bit more. I adore characterisation like that used in The Dark Knight Rises because its Bruce Wayne that makes the moral decisions here, not Batman. When it comes down to it, super-hero's have their alter-ego's and their secret identities who act differently to one another. Despite this, Batman and Bruce Wayne, more than ever, are one here. Still, I’m rather disappointed with how the Batman himself was featured because he popped up rarely. In addition, when he did appear he was as marvellous as he could be.

     Now the film itself overall, which there isn’t much I can tell you about because the movie is powered by the fuel of its amazing characters whose reinventions in Nolan's world differ to their comic-book origins in so many ways but in a way that means that when applied to the modern, gritty world of Gotham they work perfectly. Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack is riveting and beautiful in a variety of ways that allows the film to flow smoothly. The regularly occurring Arabic chant is a clever inclusion and used when necessary. Bane and Batman’s themes are memorable and representative of their characters. The music in this film is so important because a lot of the time the film is quiet and so when its featured it pumps up the tension tenfold or enhances a scene in the way it should.

     The cinematography is elegant, the direction is inch-perfect and the writing has so many incredible moments which assists the visuals and the actors on screen creating the possibility of gaining awards look even more likely than ever for this outstanding series. The mix of CGI and real effects are manufactured for high quality viewing and all of the action scenes keep your heart pounding. These and the narrative and your connection to the characters keep everything tense and exciting and on the edge of your seat. It's just a shame about the Bat, the hyped up hover-craft we've been seeing through advertisement. Its overly-used and probably implanted to be used as a critical plot device and reveal for the end of the film. Its flight is too unrealistic which makes this prominent new vehicle disappointing. I'd also like to point out that the Tumbler Batman uses never required the rider to have their backside sticking out until they were Catwoman in pleasing tight black lycra. And also, even during a time when 13 million people need his help desperately, Bruce still sees it fit to apply black makeup when donning the Bat suit.

Batman never had do this but I'm not complaining

     In my heart I’m a Marvel fanboy through and through but the end of this trilogy makes my affection for DC Comics increase. I didn’t used to be such a big Batman fan but Christopher Nolan’s changed that with his dazzlingly dark and realistic approach to this comic book hero. This marks a incredible end to what can be categorised as one of the most popular and successful film trilogies in not just the super-hero film world but general one too. The Dark Knight Rises happily replaces the Avengers as 2012's film of the year in my opinion.

Thanks, Josh.

P.S. I'd just like to share my condolences to the families and friends of those who were unfortunate enough to be killed at the screening of this film in Colorado and that my thoughts are with them.