What I Loved (And Didn't Love At All) About The Dark Knight Rises...

I've literally started writing a review for The Dark Knight Rises four times but I feel like it's almost impossible to do so. The most amazing thing about this film is that I both completely love and utterly loathe certain aspects of this film. That being said, I feel like it'd be better for me to review the film in list form. So, as I'm going to be spoiling the film in my list, let me just say this for those that have not seen the film: as a whole, I really liked the film. For all it's flaws, I think it's a good movie and, out of the five films in contention for a spot on my Top 10 of the year, it's number 3. It has a good chance at being one of my very favorite films of the year. I don't think it revolutionized the comic book genre or that it's one of the best films I've ever seen, but that's ok. It's a good movie and if you see it, I feel confident in saying that you'll get your money's worth in entertainment. That being said, major spoilers follow:




WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:


1) The Miranda Tate/Bruce Wayne Romance:


Obviously, the two were going to end up together. This was no secret. Their was a shot of it in the trailer. But, I expected Christopher Nolan to develop their relationship a bit more before having Bruce suddenly hop into bed with her. The two have two scenes together, Miranda mentions how she'll take care of his company, and suddenly they are having sex. Um...what? I understand the film is already quite long, and Nolan had a lot of ground to cover, but he couldn't flesh out their romance a bit more? I mean, he even spends time discussing how Bruce isn't completely over Rachel's death from the last film! And, if he simply couldn't spend more time on their relationship, then don't have them end up together! The fact that Miranda takes over Wayne Industries would make her importance to the film just as high, and her ultimate betrayal would remain shocking regardless of whether or not she and Bruce had been knocking boots. And I don't buy that she inspires Bruce to get back to crime fighting. In my opinion, Gordon's injury and Blake's speech did that. So, Bruce's whirlwind romance really bothered me and felt completely forced and unwelcome.

2) Too Much Happened Too Qucikly


As I mentioned above, The Dark Knight Rises is a very long film. I don't mind the length one bit, but a better sense of pacing was necessary for a film clocking in at almost three hours. After a slow start that took it's time developing the story, Nolan knocked out plot points at rapid speed offering little time for build up. Essentially, once Bane destroyed the football stadium and took over Gotham, the film moved by too quickly. Gotham becomes a ruined city overrun by mobs of crazy people within minutes, while Bruce manages to heal his horrible injuries, climb out of a pit in what I presume to be the Middle East, find a way back to Gotham (how did he get their exactly?), find Catwoman, and hatch a plan to defeat Bane and save Gotham. I would have no trouble buying all of this if Nolan didn't rush through all these major developments.

3) Joseph Gordon Levitt finds out Wayne is Batman By...???


Ok, so I understand that Blake must discover Bruce Wayne's secret alter ego in order for most of what happens in this film to have any meaning or siginificance. But, couldn't Christopher Nolan, who's one of the best screen writers in the business, think of a better reason? Essentially, Blake just found out Bruce is Batman. That's it. Essentially, Blake h knows Bruce's biggest secret, one that he has managed to keep hidden from virtually everyone in Gotham including some of his closest allies because... they are both orphans? I'm sorry, I don't care how well Joseph Gordon Levitt delivered that speech. That was sloppy screen writing.

WHAT I LOVED ABOUT IT:


1) Anne Hathaway


When Hatahaway was cast as Catwoman, the Internet exploded in rage and fury. To be honest, I didn't understand why. Sure, Anne Hathaway had a few bad films (does anyone actually like Bride Wars?) and, yes, her big break was a children's film. But let's not forget that before he was Batman, Christian Bale played a singing paper delivery boy in Newsies and that Heath Ledger burst onto the scene with a teen romantic comedy, 10 Things I Hate About You. Hathaway is a very talented actress, as shown through fantastic performances in Brokeback Mountain and Rachel Getting Married. The Internet judged her harshly, unfairly, and without much reasoning. But, that's all okay now. Hathaway was fantastic in this film. In fact, she was probably my favorite thing about it. Nolan developed the character of Selina Kyle quite well. She wasn't entirely a villain, not necessarily a hero, and was sexy, intelligent, fierce, and had to win the sympathy of the audience. Hathaway was more than up for the challenge, turning in what is probably her best performance yet. While she will more likely than not be nominated for her work in Les Miserables later this year, I wish that the Academy would give her performance in The Dark Knight Rises a look. She was wonderful.

2) The rest of the cast


There's not much else to say here. Nolan has always had an impeccable talent for casting, and The Dark Knight Rises is no different.

3) The action


While none of the action scenes measured up to the fantastic highway chase in The Dark Knight, or any of the action scenes from The Avengers, the action in The Dark Knight Rises was quite good. Specifically, the fight between Bane and Batman in the sewers. What a terrific scene! Not to mention the explosive and appropriately epic finale, which lived up to my high expectations, and the jaw dropping stunt that opened the film.

4) The ending 


I honestly cannot think of a way I'd rather have The Dark Knight trilogy come to a close. Everything from the (symbolic) death of Bruce/Batman, to the "Blake is actually Robin" reveal, to the final moment with Alfred in Florence, I had a giant smile on my face. A great way to end a great franchise.

There you have it. My thoughts on The Dark Knight Rises. If you insist on fighting with me about any of this, then go ahead, but to be honest, I really don't care if you thought that Bruce and Miranda were a fantastic couple or that the action was some of the worst you've ever seen. I've noticed that most of the big fans of TDKR have an annoying habit of defending this film until their very last breath, and I'm not in the mood to get into a pointless debate about the film when there is no chance of it ever reaching an outcome where one of us will change our opinion. If you disagree, feel free to say so, but please don't be obnoxious. That being said, thank you for reading! I usually proof read what I post but I'm extremely tired right now and re-reading it for errors probably wouldn't do much good anyway.

OVERALL GRADE: A-