The Dark Knight Rises

After completing his Oscar nominated film “Inception,” Christopher “Chris” Nolan, his wife/business partner, Emma Thomas & his brother, Jonathan “Jonah” Nolan commenced development of a third Batman movie set after “The Dark Knight.” The trio did extensive research on which villain Batman should battle mono e mono. Chris selected Bane. Introduced in a storyline known as “Knightfall,” Bane is a muscular terrorist with tubes on his back and wears a mask. Inside the tubes, a drug grants him super strength. A master tactician and brutal opponent towards Batman, Bane is one of the most recognized villains in The Caped Crusader’s rouge gallery of baddies.

Christian Bale reprises his role one last time to play Batman, Tom Hardy was casted as Bane, Anne Hathaway was casted as Catwoman & Marion Cotillard was casted “Miranda Tate.” After a long production of filming, editing, post-production etc. “The Dark Knight Rises” was distributed worldwide.

The Dark Knight Rises was released in 2012. (same year The Avengers came out) It received positive reviews from critics, fans & movie goers alike. In addition to decent reception, it made enough money at the box office.

When the film was released on a midnight screening in Aurora, Coronado, a shooting occurred tragically murdering innocent movie goers by a mentally unstable man named, James Holmes. Due to his crimes, Holmes is serving a life sentence. Chris & the cast visited the survivors and payed their medical bills telling them everything’s gonna be ok.

Chris’ highly anticipated film Tenet, will be out in August. Originally, slated for a July release, unfortunately, the ongoing Coronavirus forced Christmas & WB to delay it twice. Robert Pattinson’s Batman will be released next year. I’d like to share what’s good or bad about The Dark Knight Rises before Tenet & Batman 2021 will be out separately.

This review does not contain any crucial SPOILERS. Feel free to read my non-spoiler article for the final chapter in The Dark Knight Trilogy.

Positive & Negative Elements

Positive: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard & Michael Caine all did an excellent job for their respective performances.

Fun Fact: Both Anne & Joseph both worked with the late Heath Ledger in two separate movies. Joseph was in “10 Things I Hate About You” & Anne was in “Brokeback Mountain.”

Christopher Nolan did an incredible job directing the finale.

Emma Thomas co-produced the film alongside her husband.

Jonathan Nolan helped Chris co-wrote the script in order to deliver an epic swan song to a dramatic trilogy something Francis Ford Coppola, The Wachowskis, J.J. Abrams failed to deliver a final bang. You know “The Godfather Part III,” “The Matrix Revolutions” & “The Rise Of Skywalker.”

Action Sequences were awesome to witness. Batman’s fight with Bane, chaotic environment, The Batwing factoring in for non-lethal combat just to name a few.

Practical Effects were heavily used to create action scenes, stunts, miniature models, The Batwing, The Batmobile & The Batpod. C.G.I. was used sparingly.

Hans Zimmer orchestrated music for the movie. I gotta love Bane’s chant. It gives me chills.

According to Chris, the main theme for third entry is pain. The first two themes were fear and chaos.

Cinematographer Wally Pfister shot the movie beautifully. Every shot looks gorgeous yet it makes me want to replay “Batman: Arkham City” & “Batman: Arkham Knight.”

The Dark Knight Rises is influenced by Batman storylines including “Knightfall,” “The Dark Knight Returns” & “No Man’s Land.”

Character Development involving Batman. I can’t tell you about the ending of the last movie. All I can say is, he suffered a personal loss resulting in being depressed. You probably know if you’ve seen The Dark Knight.

If you’re a fan of The Pittsburgh Steelers, they actually make an appearance as football team “Gotham Rogues” in one explosive scene. If you know what I mean.

Without giving too much away, a Plot Twist is revealed during The Climax. M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Happening” ain’t got substance.

Somebody said a giant alligator. A shout-out to Killer Croc. A villain from Batman’s rogue gallery born with a rare disorder resembling a crocodile.

Unlike Bane’s lackluster portrayal in “Batman & Robin,” Tom Hardy’s version of Bane is both the brains & brawn faithfully taking many cues from the comics. Tom’s voice as Bane reminded me of Jimmy Stewart wearing a Darth Vader mask.

Speaking of Darth Vader, Chris mentioned Bane’s characteristics are based on Darth Vader. Obviously, a mask, muscles, really tall, a menacing voice, tactician, leads a squad of men in an evil organization. Chris also said Bane’s fighting style is based on gorillas. He wanted Bane to be ferocious fighter, not a pale imitation of Ra’s Al Ghul & Joker.

A burning symbol on a building is a reference to The Dark Knight poster. Also an homage to a burning symbol from “The Crow.”

Cillian Murphy reprises his role as Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow in a cameo appearance.

Matthew Modine (Private Joker from Full Metal Jacket & Dr. Martin Brenner from Stranger Things) plays Commissioner Gordon’s fellow cop. I guess Chris casted Matt, because he was in Stanley Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket.”

Ben Mendelsohn plays John Daggett. A billionaire associated with bad guys. This ain’t the first time Ben was in cahoots with a tall muscular man with a deep menacing voice. Does “Star Wars: Rouge One” ring any bells?

Besides Scarecrow, a familiar character from the first movie returns in a cameo appearance.

Joey King (Gypsy Rose Blanched from The Act) has a small role. I can’t tell you.

John Blake has a full name. I refuse to spill the beans.

Joker’s presence was never mentioned. According to Chris, he didn’t want to implement a digital recreation of his close friend. I would assume Heath’s family and Michelle Williams begged Chris not to disrespect Heath’s legacy.

The Ending was definitely a high note to The Dark Knight Trilogy.

Negative: An optional con involving Gotham Riots & a man wearing a mask is disturbing relevant during the ongoing coronavirus & violent protests after George Floyd’s death. Life imitates art in an uncomfortable manner.

To be honest, I couldn’t find no flaws spotted. I’m giving Chris & the crew an Extra Point for making a satisfying conclusion.

The Final Verdict: A, FOR APEX!

The Dark Knight Rises is a final swan song to The Dark Knight Trilogy. Every single positive aspect I’ve listed, indicates why Christopher Nolan’s trilogy is one of the best trilogies of all time next to “The Dollars Trilogy,” “Star Wars The Original Trilogy” & “The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy.” If you’re eager to seen Tenet, I strongly recommend this movie.

Rest In Peace to the victims of the Colorado Shooting. Somewhere above, your in a better place.