Review - The Dark Knight Rises

Trying to follow up one of the best comic book films ever was always going to be tough ask, not only did the film have box office weight of expectation but the pressure was on everyone. On the director, writers and actors and I have to tell you that, despite falling short of The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises is an amazing send off to a superior trilogy, possibly the best comic book trilogy to date.

As for the plot - Eight years on, a new terrorist leader, Bane, overwhelms Gotham's finest, and the Dark Knight resurfaces to protect a city that has branded him an enemy.

As an overview that description is correct but in reality, it barely scratches the surface of what is going on. Imagine Michael Mann's film Heat. An epic crime drama, then add Batman and you are somewhere in the vicinity of this film but still nowhere closer to what it actually is. 

Firstly, it was always going to very difficult for whomever took the main villain role as they would undoubtedly be compared to the late, great Heath Ledger. Tom Hardy took this role as Bane the terrorist leader, with a lifetime supply of steroids and indeed creates another memorable villain, both physically and emotionally. A total opposite of The Joker in terms of control and Bane's resulting destruction of the city is for a purpose where The Joker's games were just that, games to keep him amused. However I digress.

Bale was upset there was no talcum powder on set

Bale and Hathaway were very good as well the latter providing some real depth to Bruce Wayne and his pain, whilst the former is a cyclone. Sexy and smart, knowing when to use either to their greatest effect.

Having said all that, I think that this film really does belong to Alfred (Michael Caine). Long serving butler of Wayne Manor and father figure for Bruce, he really tries to look after the last remaining member of the Wayne family and he feels that he did fail despite the greater good that Batman had brought to Gotham. The films final few shots really hit home with regards to Alfred's feeling on the whole Batman thing.

The film isn't without its flaws though. from Joseph Gordon Levi's Blake somehow knowing who Batman was because he saw the look in his eyes, the little quips between Batman and Catwoman seemed too contrived for a (yes I know it is a comic book) more realistic version of Batman. Regardless of the small flaws Chris Nolan has created an enduring, amazing trilogy that will stand the test time. An ending that draws conclusions as to what happens next give the studio and audiences, a jump off point for the next installments.