This villain is a proper villain: an obscured identity, a great voice and accent, power over his minions and in strength and one with such evil plans that Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) comes out of retirement to set Batman loose in order to restore peace. Anne Hathaway joins the trilogy also, playing the cleverly avoided Catwoman, and does well in this more serious role, making an intriguing and exciting addition to the film. With British writers and a British director, you know the story will be good and the multiple plotlines throughout the film, and indeed through the trilogy, are just as gripping as the characters in them. Honourable mentions also go to Michael Caine, still a great Alfred, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, collaborating with Nolan again, playing John Robin Blake (oh dear...).
At times, there are holes left in these stories, however, that viewers will just have to fill in for themselves, and at times there can be a bit too much going on to take in. Though this creates a desire to go back and watch again (as some I know have done!), it an be a tad overwheming. Either way, fans of the trilogy and action films in general won't care as there is plenty to keep them happy!
What stood out most for me was the soundtrack and overall mix. There is a sweeping undercurrent throughout, as often in Nolan's films, which helps build up the story, and in fact disappears at some of the most tense scenes in the movie. Batman and Bane's first fight is accompanied by only the sounds of the battle and the commencement of Bane's city wide attacks are the backdrop to simply a young boy's emotional rendition of the Stars and Stripes at an american football match.
The Dark Knight Rises is a fitting end(?) to this Batman trilogy and a thrilling action movie in its own right. A director's cut to fill in some of the glossed over plot lines would be nice but, with the screen version two hours and forty-fie minutes as it is, that's probably unlikely. One way or the other, it's a very enjoyable film but probably not worth the hype that preceded it.
I have not had the pleasure of seeing the film yet, but I agree that British writers are best (watch any episode of Doctor Who). The picture they paint for the audience is much more vibrant, as American writers tend to focus on low-brow effects to impress American audiences.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. I'm more anxious than ever to see this flick now!
Thanks for reading Kevin. It is good, and I'm proud that it is British in conception!
DeleteLet me know what you think when you see it, you should enjoy it.
Great film, though I agree a little too quick on the pace at times,I think Bane should have had more of a build up as should Miranda Tate.
ReplyDeleteSome things are a little too convenient, it just so happens to be Gordon that goes down into the sewer and finds Bane and who just so happens to still have the speech in his pocket that he was going to say at the Dent Aniversary. I felt the rival to Wayne,John Daggart was too quickly introduced too.
The skip of eight years was a bit too quick too, I felt, I think it would have been better if we'd had a montage of seeing how the Dent act came into force and the effect it had.
Though saying that,it was full of great shots and brilliant tie ins to the first two films. For example when Bruce is recupperating from a failed escape from prison he has a flash back of his Father coming down into the well to rescue him (from the first film)which was the start of his journey to becoming Batman.The prison looking visually similar to the well.
The cameo of "The Scarecrow" as the judge was great too.
The trouble was it was always going to play second fiddle to The Dark Knight; so not a perfect film but not a bad film either.
Thanks for your reply!
DeleteThey had such a story to tell, they just had to rush it at times maybe. Bane did seem to just appear, you're right but they were pushing it for length anyway. It's always going to be the conclusion to the trilogy I guess but it was good in that sense.