The Dark Knight Rises
by Cheeto
Posted on 3 May 2021
Rating -
The Dark Knight Rises is a 2012 superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan, who co-wrote the screenplay with his brother Jonathan Nolan, and the story with David S. Goyer. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, it is the final installment in Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy, and the sequel to The Dark Knight (2008). Eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, the revolutionary Bane forces Bruce Wayne to resume his role as Batman and save Gotham City from nuclear destruction.
The Dark Knight Rises is the third and final part of ‘The Dark Knight Trilogy’. For me personally, it is a great way to wrap it up, it’s a great film. Unfortunately. there are a few minor problems with it as well. Let’s start of with the negatives.
I can tell right from the start, even though it’s the same director (Christopher Nolan); this last film has a different tone from its two predecessors. This isn’t actually that bad as it was probably what Christopher Nolan was going for. The first two (Batman Begins and The Dark Knight) were dark and gritty, this one is more of a full on action movie. Like I said, not really a bad thing, just it’s a shame as the grittiness works so well with Batman and Gotham.
This film does have a few scenes were the film goes from one place to another (story-wise), and it doesn’t really explain it. They just do this to either not have to explain it, or just simply, they couldn’t come up with an explantion. The end scene is great example of this. Once again, this doesn’t really effect the film, but it certainly isn’t what you’d expect in The Dark Knight Trilogy. I personally don’t think the film is paced as well as The Dark Knight. It can be a little distracting, but you can see past it. Now onto the positives.
This film introduces the villian Bane (Tom Hardy). He isn’t anywhere near the sort of charcter that The Joker (Heath Ledger) was, but he does impose a physical threat to Batman. This brings a different kind of challenge to The Caped Crusader. Tom Hardy plays Bane very well. He has this arrogance about him, and that’s what you’d expect from a character who’s built like a fridge.
This film also introduces Anne Hathaway as Catwoman. We get a great intro scene from her, it sums up what type of character she is. Catwoman is a great part of this film, it wouldn’t be the same without her.
I like the way that Batman starts out this film as a frail hermit, he has to use a walking cane to move around. This is due to the events of The Dark Knight. This brings even more character building to him. It makes for good viewing as this is a side of Batman that we (the viewer) have never seen before.
When Bane starts to wreak havoc on Gotham, a frail, dishevelled Batman puts on the Batsuit for the first time in 8 years. The fight ends with Bane breaking Batman’s back, Batman doesn’t really put up that much of a fight. This Batman/Bruce Wayne isn’t the same Batman/Bruce Wayne at the end of The Dark Knight.
I love the prison scenes (Bane sends him there). Bruce, hasn’t only got a broken back. but he’s broken as a person. The only way to escape the prison is to climb the well out to freedom. This adds stakes, this makes for an intriguing watch. While Bruce is in prison, Bane is going to drop a nuclear bomb on Gotham. While Bruce is in prison, he in a way, finds himself again. That he has a duty to protect the people of Gotham. He starts to train, and after a few failed attemps, he finally makes it out of the well.
I love the whole third act of this film. How Bruce comes back, and realigns with Catwoman. The whole fight scene between Batman and Bane is incredible. There’s also a twist ending that I love (don’t worry, I’m not going to spoil it). It just turns everything on its head and makes the film feel different.
Once again, Hans Zimmer scores the music to this film. The Dark Knight score is played throughout, it really complements the film and heightens certain scenes.
Overall, I think this is a brilliant film. It’s not as good as the two before, but I think it’s a satisfactuary end to The Dark Knight Trilogy. I strongly recommend you watch this film.
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