The Dark Knight Rises

Last night was the premiere of the movie of the summer, "The Dark Knight Rises," and I had the pleasure to be one of the many that was able to see it first at midnight.  As a huge Batman fan, I had some high expectations for this film.  So high, I was afraid I would be disappointed by what I would be watching.  I can safely say that this film went beyond my expectations, and had me begging for more.  It had me jumping and gasping and holding on to every second.  I have been comparing this film to the final Harry Potter book.  Like Harry Potter, this film was the final chapter in the story, but it was on a completely different level from the other films before it.  I will be going into detail about the storyline, so SPOILERS!!!  You have been warned. 

The film returns Christian Bale, Michael Cain, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, and introduces Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Marion Cotillard and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.  The film takes place 8 years after the events in "The Dark Knight."  It starts with a broken Bruce Wayne who is still grieving from the death of Rachel.  He has to return to the cape and cowl when Bane starts emerging from the underground.  And with Bane seizing control of Wayne Enterprises, and the fancy gadgets that Batman had access to for so many years, he quickly becomes a powerful opponent.  And a defining battle between the two put devastating events into play.  I won't give too much away because watching it is truly amazing and watching it is the only way to enjoy the storyline.  But there are many plot twists and revelations that drop your jaw and defy any theories that you have before walking into the film. 

The results are in, and the critics are giving it praises as well!  Huffington Post reports that the reviews are meeting the massive hype that was created before the movie.  Justin Chang says, "Few blockbusters have borne so heavy a burden of audience expectation as Christopher Nolan's final Batman caper, and the filmmaker steps up to the occasion with a cataclysmic vision of Gotham City under siege in 'The Dark Knight Rises."

The casting of Catwoman and Anne Hathaway have been getting praise as well, with critics saying, "Nolan's Catwoman is the best cinematic rendering of the character to date, allowing Anne Hathaway sex appeal, humor and real humanity in equal measures."  Not really sure about that though.  Michelle Pfeiffer's version to me, still has the most depth and has a better struggle between good and evil.  But she does a great job, and is a new level of the character that we will never forget. 

I know the question will rise about whether the villain Bane will be better than Heath Ledger's Joker.  Honestly, they are both really great, but Bane truly puts the fear into Batman, and how Bane can destroy his city.  Both villains are really great, but Bane ultimately has more depth than the Joker, and that created more emotion when the truth about Bane finally comes out.  Really a great character. 

Nolan really has outdone himself.  He took many different aspects of the Batman world and put them into this one film which makes it feel like a true Batman movie.  For those who don't read the comics or read the novels, "No Man's Land" is a clear inspiration to this film, and this storyline in the Batman world is worth researching and reading before or after watching the film.  Many other inspirations were in the film, but I won't give those away. 

I can't tell you how much I loved this movie.  Some of you know how I can really tear up a movie, and there wasn't much bad I have to say about this one.  This film does come full circle from the first and second parts, and will forever be a cherished chapter in the Batman universe.  I rate this movie 5/5, and it deserves all the praise. 

I look forward to hearing your own thoughts about the film, and what possible awards this film is worthy of being nominated for.  Stay tuned for the breaking news on the massive shooting in Colorado which took place last night at the "Dark Knight Rises" premiere. 

-Tyler