The Dark Knight Rises: Review By Huntsman

I went to see the midnight showing that had the longest line for a film I've ever seen, and The Dark Knight Rises was beyond well worth the time I waited in line which was nearly three hours. The Dark Knight Rises is an achievement of film that hasn't been done in well in film in years and you will be reminded of great films like back to films like Lawrence of Arabia, Ben-Hur and Seven Samurai in their story, message, grandeur and scope. It's a rarity to see a film attempt it now days let alone be successful, and The Dark Knight Rises it that kind of film that everyone should see. The film is more than an event film or summer movie. The Dark Knight Rises is simply one of the best movies of all time.

I've never been a big fan of DC comics never really getting into or finding a connection with their characters, but Batman was the exception. I loved the dark tone of the comic and the villains along with the more adult story lines it became one of my favorite comics outside of Spiderman, and the X-Men. Since Batman's conception in 1939 Batman has become one of the oldest comic book characters and one of the most popular, and there have been many TV and film adaptations, and most of them I've seen have been surprisingly good. From Adam West's fun but campy late 1960's version to Super Friends, to the best television Batman in Batman: The Animated Series, to Batman and Batman Begins and Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. There have been many different takes on Batman, but Christopher Nolan's is the best surpassing my favorite Batman film Mask of the Phantasm. What Nolan has achieved here with the Dark Knight Rises and his trilogy of films is truly something special, but I get to that and the director later.

As for The Dark Knight Rises let me get to what I like first, which was everything. I'll address some of the issues some of the critics had later. The story I can't go into too much detail, because it will give away some plot points and there are a few brilliant twists in the movie including the amazing and satisfying ending. The Dark Knight Rises takes place eight years after the end of The Dark Knight. The crime in Gotham has gone way done, because of the Dent Act, which gave more power to the police. Bruce Wayne has disappeared from the public eye hiding in his mansion as a recluse living in his self-pity. He's brought out of his hiding by Selina Kyle and a mysterious Bane who brings death and destruction everywhere he goes. There really isn't much mention to The Dark Knight in the plot of the film or the Joker, and you won't notice that. The Dark Knight Rises does have many connections to Batman begins as Batman's story comes full circle. I'll stop here before I give anything away. I will say that the plot written by Christopher and Jonathan Nolan is well written in story, pace and tone.

Michael Caine is truly a superb actor and he truly wait he had better get a supporting Oscar for this film and he should win it. He is superb as Alfred and has been in the previous two films. Bring such emotion and humor as Bruce's butler, father figure and friend. He wants the best for Bruce just like any parent wants the best for their children. Another old timer who steals many of the scenes of the film is the great Gary Oldman as James Gordon. I again think he should at very least be nominated for supporting actor. Christian Bale again does great job as Bruce Wayne and a good job as Batman. Unlike the other actors who've taken on the role I think he's done the best job getting into the mind of Bruce Wayne and totally embodying the character. There are many new comers to the film. I like I think many people were a little worried about Bain played by Tom Hardy. Tom did a great job. I know people want to compare Bane to the Joker and Heath Ledger, so I will. Tom Hardy made a more vicious bad guy, but is less charismatic, which Ledger embodied in the Joker. They are two different types of villains. I wasn't as upset like most after seeing the Catwoman suit months ago. I was more upset that Anne Hathaway was cast for the part. I thought she was an overrated actress, plus I was honestly hoping for a hotter actress. My doubts were alleviated as the film drew closer and I saw that she could fill out a cat suit. Out of all the new comers to this film series I think she might have done the best job. She brought sexiness and emotion to the character and to be honest I thought she's a better Catwoman then Michelle Pheiffer. Next is Joseph Gordon-Levitt as John Blake. It honestly took a while to get used to the character who is important to the plot, but Joseph does a really good job. Finally we have Miranda Tate played by Marion Cotillard who I thought was the weakest addition to the film even though she plays an important role. Still she isn't perfect but Marion does a good job with the character and time on screen. The only real problems I had with the cast were the supporting cast. Matthew Modine was I thought miscast in the role of Deputy Commissioner Foley. He just never seemed to get into the role or do it justice. Nestor Carbonell the mayor of Gotham who I loved from his days on LOST is barely in the film. I wish they had given him a little more screen time.

I know people may think that at nearly three hours long that it will be boring, but Nolan doesn't let the pace slow down for too long before it quickly picks up again. The special effects and action is spectacular. I like that Nolan tries to avoid using effects unless he has to instead using live actors and vehicles instead of digital renderings. It adds for realism to the action especially the climax in the streets of Gotham. The score done by Hans Zimmer was the best of his job on the series.

To be honest I had never heard of Christopher Nolan until Batman Begins. I had heard of, but had never seen Memento or Insomnia and I question how he got the job for director of Batman Begins. He proved me wrong with the film, and I'll never doubt him again until he forces me to. After Batman Begins I've seen every film of his, and he hasn't made a bad film yet. Insomnia was the worst and it is still a pretty good film. Nolan does a masterful job of bringing his visions to life creating captivating stories and memorable characters. Through his eight feature length films Nolan truly has become a master film maker. The best in the last decade and if he continues the excellent work will go down as truly one of the greatest. What he achieved with The Dark Knight Rises and his Batman trilogy is truly something special. He's created the best comic book film trilogy and the best trilogy every. Yes even better than the Lord of the Rings. I know people would like Nolan to come back, but I don't think he should. Nolan had a vision he admitted to thinking of years ago and brought it to an end with The Dark Knight Rises. Sure he could go on, but like George from Seinfeld said always leave on a high note, and there is no higher note for Nolan then The Dark Knight Rises. Sure he continues making Batman films, but I honestly don't think he could surpass what he's done with The Dark Knight and this film. It's best to leave people wanting more, and I'm sure everyone will. Let Nolan go he's created and done something special with these films. It's time for him to create his own vision, which I'm sure he will in a few years.

Now as I said earlier I was going to address some of the criticism critics have of the film. First some people are saying the films to dark that it's not comic booky enough. First Batman has always been dark. If you don't think so you haven't read the comics or seen the cartoons. The only Batman adaptation was Adam West versions. Even the bad Batman and Robin was a dark film. It was only funny because of how bad the film was, and now as to the general dark tone of the film. Hello almost all of the best films of all time are dark films. The Seven Samurai, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia, A Clockwork Orange, Das Boot, All Quiet on the Western Front and Jaws. I could go on, but I won't. All of these films had a dark theme to their films, and these are truly great films. Dark themed films make some of the best films, because the feature adult stories with flawed and damaged characters trying to survive in a chaotic world as the seek peace and redemption. They don't always win or survive nor do they always get their redemption. That's what makes them great characters, which makes great films. The next criticism I read that the story was incoherent or hard to follow. I had no problem following what was going on. Maybe the people complaining should go see the film again and this time pay attention. Sure there is a lot going on, but the story isn't hard to follow.

Why do people keep wanting to compare The Dark Knight Rises to The Avengers? Is it a better film? Will it make more money? Fine I will answer those questions for you. Is the Dark Knight Rises a better film? Without question The Dark Knight Rises is a better film. The Avengers is a true summer film. With lots of glitz and glamor, and explosions, but if isn't rememberable outside of it being cool to see all the hero's in one film. If you dig deeper into the film there isn't much there. The Avengers could have with Hawkeye becoming free of Loki. I know these are tuff men, but they could have delved deeper. The same could be said for Coulson's death. I thought it was good, but they could have done more. As for the money I don't think The Dark Knight Rises will make more money. The Avengers had a few advantages. First is 3D. Then there is the running time, which I think is about twenty minutes shorter than The Dark Knight Rises, which means it can be shown more often. Then there is the tone and themes of The Avengers, which is more lighthearted. That attracted the tween kids and the parents who will likely allow the children to see the film. The Dark Knight Rises has darker tones and themes along with more violence. That will keep away parents with kids who might be wanting to see the film, which in all honesty I think, is a good thing it's too dark and violent for the tween crowd, or at least that is in my opinion. Finally there are the Olympics, which start next week. That will hurt The Dark Knight a little. All of that combined will keep The Dark Knight Rises from beating The Avengers. I think it might have a chance if the word of mouth gets out about how great the film is and people keep going weeks and months from now, along with people going to see the film multiple times. Though no matter what The Dark Knight Rises is going to make a ton of money.

The Dark Knight Rises is Nolan's Batman trilogy, and his best film in the series along with being one of the best films of all time with a special story, great acting, and amazing action and special effects. Everyone needs to go see the best filmmaker at the moment in his culmination of his work with Batman. It will leave you amazed and satisfied. The ending to the series the film, which I won't give away, is truly something special. Go see The Dark Knight Rises. I will be seeing it multiple times.