The Dark Knight Rises

There is an especially dark shadow cast over this film. It’s obvious the nation is reeling from an unimaginable tragedy that makes no sense. Our world has been turned upside down once more. We may feel guilt, sadness and anger but, hopefully, we all feel empathy for the victim’s and their families.

It happened in a place where we should feel safe. A nice, quiet movie theater, but the truth of the matter is that terrible things can happen anywhere. But we shouldn’t feel afraid. Fear and chaos is what he wanted.

This blog has always been an opinion. It’s my views on movies and acting, but I would also like to share my view on this horrific act. Movies have been a source of escapism since they were invented. They transport you into the film while letting all other thoughts and stresses disappear. This is what makes this crime particularly invasive and cruel.

Some may see this film because of curiosity and some may see it because they have been waiting to do so for years, like I did. Some may not see “The Dark Knight Rises” because it may have potentially inspired the attack. But look at it this way: it’s not the film's fault. There are millions of people who watch violent movies and don’t end up killing anyone. The fact is that this guy wanted to be infamous by inciting panic and mass murdering a packed audience. He isn’t like the majority of us, he isn’t normal.

It is of course your choice to see this movie. But, for me, if I had not seen it he would have won.

Review

Christopher Nolan does it again in this action-packed, soulful take on the Batman legacy. “The Dark Knight Rises” is the perfect way to end this epic trilogy, although I still want more.

The film is set eight years after “The Dark Knight” and picks up with a crippled, recluse Bruce Wayne and a nearly peaceful Gotham City. Christian Bale (The Fighter) is perfect as Wayne/Batman, showing the age and heartbreak at losing Rachel Dawes in the last film. But soon he is strapping on his utility belt to find the elusively sly Selina Kyle/Catwoman (played by the enchanting Anne Hathaway).

But Wayne finds that Kyle isn’t his only foe in this story. Bane (played by the solid Tom Hardy) is out to destroy the government of Gotham by letting the people run free. This match-up is perfect for the last Nolan film, a battle between physical statures but also of goals engrained in them.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Inception) is sensational as Gotham Police Officer John Blake. Blake is an easily likable character whose motives match those of Batman’s. He’s the non-masked version who strives for peace.

All the original characters are back: Alfred (Michael Caine), Police Commissioner Gordan (Gary Oldman) and Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman). They have been the backbone of this trilogy and live up to the past films in this conclusion.

This film is climactic with action beginning only minutes in. It also allows characters to delve into their own complex pasts and emotions. This isn’t common practice in most superhero movies. Most usually have campy moments but this film really sticks to the original concept created by Nolan. It may seem extremely dark but sometimes darkness is more realistic.
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