It is not an understatement to say that the final installment in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy is the most highly anticipated film of the last couple of years. If Nolan was feeling any pressure, it hasn’t come across on the screen. Nolan has provided fans an ultimate superhero story – it’s all about good vs evil. There’s lots of action on a grand scale – like only Nolan can do!

I hate it when reviewers give away the plot so all I am going to say about The Dark Knight Rises is that, following the death of his beloved girlfriend Rachel, Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) has become a recluse but is forced to rejoin the world when the peaceful Gotham City becomes a war zone thanks to the evil Bane (Tom Hardy).

Christian Bale may be the best of all the Batmen out there but in this film he is overshadowed by many of the other characters – such is the strength of this cast.

Hardy is very freaky, superhuman like in appearance (he is built like a machine), and evil as the villain that is Bane. However, Bane is not as charismatic and creepy as Heath Ledger’s Joker – though that has more to do with the actual character rather than Hardy’s depiction of him.

Many questioned Nolan’s casting of Anne Hathaway but people should just trust him. He knew what he was doing. Hathaway was very feline like in her movements and speech, even purring when she spoke. She was very catlike and sexy without trying too hard.  That said, this is not a strong enough character to springboard a new franchise.

If I was to have one complaint, it would be that the one thing that’s missing is a heart. At times it feels just as cold as Bruce Wayne/Batman has become. The only people providing any semblance of emotion and heart are Alfred (Michael Caine) and John Blake (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Gordon-Levitt almost steals the show while, without doubt, stealing everyone’s heart.

The Dark Knight Rises is a lot of fun. Nolan does not have to rely on the gimmick of 3D to make the action and story jump off the screen. He is good enough to make this all work in 2D. He moves it along at a good pace, lulling a little in the middle but quickly picks up the pace and races to one of the best finishes I have seen in a long time.

Don’t try to second guess what’s about to happen. Just go in and enjoy the ride Christopher Nolan is about to bring you on. I walked out of the cinema more excited than when I walked in!

Don’t read on if you don’t want to know more

***POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT***

Instead of closing the book, Nolan has opened up a whole heap of new possibilities and   adventures and, I for one, hope he comes back and explores these and shares them with us like only he can!

That’s Entertainment!
Sarina 🙂