The Dark Knight Rises

The wow! effect of surprise that would mask the heartless treatment of characters is no longer there. Said treatment was still somehow forgivable in the previous instalment, but number three is drowning in it. It is impossible to absorb every twist and its influence on the characters, who are too numerous and keep appearing and disappearing as if on cue, just to do something cool and say a catchphrase (not one of which is worth remembering). Moreover, Christopher Nolan once again (after Inception) underestimates the audience’s intelligence and feeds them cheap non sequiturs. Tom Hardy’s Bane is a dull mountain of muscles. He is interesting thanks to his muzzle and voice, but he does not arouse either fear or respect. The only good thing about Catwoman (or whoever that is) is her pert behind when she rides a motorcycle. The only one who does the best work from the trilogy is Hans Zimmer. He uses the motifs from previous instalments, adds new ones (the Balkan piano from Sherlock for the treacherous Catwoman and anarchist chorales for Bane are invigorating), transforming the flat mass of dark depression from before into a bombastic, orchestrally rich action background. So why am I awarding four stars after all this criticizing? Because the movie still has that colossal quality in which Nolan is unrivaled. You will enjoy being carried away by all that epicness and immense drive, even if you don’t care what is happening or why, or where it will all lead. (19/07/2012)

I'm thrilled that Christopher Nolan gave us an absolutely incredible trilogy that had me eagerly awaiting each new chapter in Batman’s story for years. It started with a surprisingly great first film, followed by a perfect sequel, and now, the time had finally come for the third and final part. I was both excited and nervous as I sat down in the theater, ready for the conclusion. Comparing the films in this trilogy is nearly impossible—they’re all different, but each one is close to perfection. Nolan crafted a story that kept me hooked, reassuring me that there was still plenty to look forward to in the world of cinema. The Dark Knight Rises closes out a chapter that I, like many others, will never forget. It’s dark, brutal, backed by a phenomenal score, and eerily close to reality in ways I didn’t expect. This film feels the most “comic book” of the trilogy, yet Bane is such a terrifying villain that it’s hard not to imagine someone like him emerging in our world—someone who challenges the system with a violence that hides a vision we’d all secretly long for. As for the cast, I can’t find a single flaw. Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt (who, by the way, reminded me so much of Heath Ledger), and even Tom Hardy were all fantastic. Hardy, especially—his portrayal of Bane was terrifying, demanding fear and respect like I’ve never experienced in a film before. Hats off to him. And of course, Hans Zimmer outdid himself with another breathtaking soundtrack. What more can I say? This was a fitting and powerful end to something we’ve been a part of for years. Now it’s time to find the next story that can pull me in just as deeply. (07/08/2012)

Not so bombastic anymore! From the realistic waters of the last part, we’ve drifted off down a sewer into the comic-book waters of part one. But this is not the movie’s main issue. But why trump the joker when it’s enough to equal it. Too much happens with too little room. Those 164 minutes just aren’t enough and some moments don’t resound as they could. In fact, Batman returns twice here, which is a lot for one movie. The introductions to new characters is maybe a little rushed (but left an impression). But disappointment sets in during some scenes. The expanse and the story’s message are of course above average. In this respect, Wayne’s journey couldn’t have had a better conclusion. And no let down from Zimmer, either. Not everything. Not yet. Thumbs up for the second time in the IMAX. The huge scale of the screen at last does justice to the dimensions of this picture. The action scenes are absorbing, particularly fly-pasts around Gotham. Awesome. (26/07/2012)

It was only after the second viewing that I fully understood and appreciated why Nolan turned the wheel after the acclaimed second film and once again rode the comic book waves, just like he did with the first one. More than anything else, the third film concludes the trilogy. I can understand the disappointed responses that were expecting something in the style of a funny anarchist madman Joker, but I don't buy the criticism about the poorly told story. The phrase "monstrous epic," used by many around here, suits this film better than anything else. The uncompromising Bane brings Gotham to its knees with brute force to make it suffer before giving it a taste of death. As well as its black-caped guardian. This isn't the Nolan brothers expressing their worldview, this is a critique of everyone for whom the idea of social justice is a political idol. Therefore, before the last atom completes the fission reaction, it is necessary to rise physically, but especially spiritually. This is the engine of the entire film, building Nolan's precise narrative that works both in the characters' dialogue and in the surprisingly spare but superbly raw action. All of this is then only perfectly complemented by Zimmer's thunderous music, without which the film would work a third less. If anyone wants to restart this at Warner Brothers, they should be thinking about changing careers by now. PS: Christopher Nolan is, along with David Fincher, the best cinematic storyteller of his generation. No question about it. (26/07/2012)

Until the American anthem was played, this the best I've ever seen in an American blockbuster - for a lot of people this means that they'll be bored for about the first hour, but I enjoyed the masterful tension with which Nolan completely controls the screen. He is able to do so without action, and only with a massively built feeling of restlessness. After the American anthem, I began to have issues with the film - the brothers probably heard the criticism that came down against the Dark Knight's ideological background from the left and seemed to want to settle accounts with supporters of social justice and redistribution. However, they chose a destructive "weapon of choice" - Bane is an enchanting, overwhelming and utterly demonic character that allows Bale’s Wayne / Batman to do what they are strongest at: sacrificing themselves for the film / Gotham. In the end, I was missing more systematic work with the story and characters, the pace is deliberately very impetuous and the dosing out of information is cumbersome. The quite contradictory return to the "comic" mythology of the first film is also quite surprising... The final mega-twist, which weakens Bane's pure evil aura a little, tore me out of a pious ravings about one of the best characters in the trilogy. But I wonder in vain when the last time was that I saw something so overwhelming, monstrous, majestic and yet honed in terms of filmmaking. It was said that Batman would be the king of the season - and despite many objections, he definitely was for me. Edit: Only the second viewing will reveal how consistent and yet emotionally fertile this film is. The IMAX copy is stunning, and the film gains through every detail. Grandiose... (19/07/2012)