Movie Review: THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

     

   In this review, I will not explain the plot, give away any spoilers or compare it to the masterpiece that was The Dark Knight. I won't be doing any of those things because The Dark Knight Rises is not worthy of them. I'm not saying that in a bad way though because as was expected, Christopher Nolan (Director) has once again given us a spectacle, an event, and a film so mesmerizing that makes all other summer blockbusters this year look like kids stuff.
     From the beautiful IMAX aerial shots of Gotham to the masterful construed action set pieces, The Dark Knight Rises production value is one of the best I've ever seen. It raises the bar infinitely for special effects departments. Not the CGI effects either, I'm talking about the old school 'blowing actual sets up' and making everything look realistic instead of relying on gimmicky computer effects which Nolan has never done. Pfister's cinematography here is some of his best work; he gives you a true cinematic experience.
     If anything from Rises deserves an Oscar, it's in the technical aspect for sure as the story and acting are not quite up to par from what's to come in Oscar season. The first and third act are no doubt sleek in their storytelling but everything in the second act feels a bit crammed into one jumbled montage of nothing but plot. I suppose it feels like it because of all the editing Nolan had to do in order to avoid a 3 hour film. Nonetheless, the screenwriting here is some of the best of the year and challenges the viewer to keep up.
     No one in Rises livens up the film as great as Anne Hathaway (Selina Kyle a.k.a Catwoman) does. I had my doubts with her but I'm glad to say she proved me and a lot others wrong. I might go as far as to say it's her best role yet. And Tom Hardy (Bane) gives yet another intense and brutal performance with a villain as menacing as Darth Vader and Bronson put together. Pure evil seethes in each frame he's in, it's incredible. Levitt (Blake) and Cotillard (Miranda Tate) also bring something new and fresh while Bale (Bruce Wayne), Caine (Alfred), Freeman (Fox), and Oldman (Gordon) all shine in their roles with each improving from the previous installments.
     The Dark Knight Rises is a rare classic film which comes in a time of movies with lazy storytelling and cheap 3D. I was shocked, amazed, horrified, amused, riveted, heartbroken, and thrilled with each passing second of this 165 minute film which never bores thanks to a terrific score by Hans Zimmer. The fight scenes between Batman and Bane are sure to become as iconic as the franchise itself and deservedly so. To all critics, lets put small nitpicks aside and marvel (no pun intended) at this ingenious and satisfying closure which Nolan and crew have honored us with while we still have a chance. It truly doesn't get much better than this.

I give The Dark Knight Rises a perfect rating of: 5/5
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