The Dark Knight Rises

[Jeffbiscuits]

So. Has anyone been lucky enough to see it yet? Did you like or dislike? US critics are getting death threats for writing bad reviews http://www.thestar.com/entertainment...egative-review

[Lizhawkins]

I saw it last night at a press screening. Pretty cool stuff. Highlights for me: Anne Hathaway ("oops!") and JGL. Low points: the silly voices (both Batman and Bane). 4 stars pour moi.

Here's a link to Total Film's 5 star The Dark Knight Rises review.

Looking forward to hearing what y'all think...

[Jeffbiscuits]

Glad to hear you liked it, Liz. I'm trying to get tickets booked for a screening at the Science Centre IMAX in Glasgow. If I'm sat there for nearly 3 hours, I want the best experience possible.
It's a shame that the film is getting more headlines over the actions of idiots and murderers rather than because it's the film of the year.

At least 14 killed by gunman at midnight premier of The Dark Knight Rises in Denver http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-18921492

[jaykays hat]

A fitting end to a superb trilogy. Yes it may be a tad too long and it didn't have the brilliance of Ledgers Joker but it had all the elements you'd expect from Nolan. I was very surprised by Hathaway's cat woman, I was expecting less and was pleasantly surprised just how good she was and how much she added to the story. Joseph Gordon-Levitt gave an excellent performance as the rookie cop. This was a British director using British leading actors and showing Hollywood just how its done. Loved it.

[CaptainCrazy]

This is the Nolan film that will split critics down the middle.

I have an everlasting love for the Batman character (and Batman can only be Bruce Wayne otherwise it is just Batman by name only), but what everyone needs to understand is that this is Nolan’s Batman. Once you make peace with that then this conclusion of his trilogy is a fantastic piece of cinema.

As you've all heard by now this is Bale’s moment of glory. He closes his Batman arc with elegance and grace. His Batman will break your heart.

That said, Joseph Gordon-Levitt almost steals the movie from everyone in an understated and heroic performance. Bane is impressive here – full of confidence and bravado. What makes him even scarier is that he can back up every boast and stare.

I’m no expert at well-defined female characters so I asked my better half for her opinion on Catwoman. (My expertise ends with blurting out, “BOOBIES!”) As far as she was concerned Hathaway was by far the best and strongest female character she has seen in years and this includes Carrie Bradshaw so that says something.

My gripes are that the timeline was all over the place and the villains get their come-uppance (is that a spoiler?) in quite anti-climactic and even unintentionally funny ways.

Go watch this now.

[Lampost]

WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS IN MY REVIEW

First of all, I better say that I absolutely loved the film... occasionally found myself zoning out, most probably due to the abnormally long running time, but otherwise it was a pretty darn sturdy production.

I think most of the criticism aimed at the film is irrelevant, I mean the only reason people are firing this type of criticism is because it's another fricking Nolan batman movie. The previous entries are of such a good quality that the tiniest details and whatnot get picked on because everyone's eyes are so intensely bearing down upon this next chapter. I've seen reviews and articles claiming that it's 'The Worst Movie Ever Made' and it's just ridiculous. Ignore the unintelligent and rather pathetic attempts at dragging down the film, it is a wonderful piece of filmmaking.

However, I'm not saying it's perfect, because it's not, the film takes a while to get started and too many characters and plot seeds introduced in the first act gets a little over-whelming, but by the time you're an hour and a half in, you'll be grateful for everything that's happened so far.

Bane is interestingly intriguing. I was worried about how a Nolan bat-villain could even be taken seriously after the Joker's antics, but Bane proves a charismatic and rather scary foe. Tom Hardy is brilliant and I fell in love with his voicework from the get-go, I can't think of how to describe it other than mad-scientist-y. What I mean by that is, he sounds like someone incredibly intelligent yet on the edge of insanity. His voice tip toes between higher and lower pitches and this helps to really establish his character's personality of brains and brawn. His whole villain scheme isn't too bad either, I genuinely found his reign of terror on Gotham horrifying and thus scared of such a thing happening to my city. The plan carries over from what the League of Shadows began in Batman Begins in a satisfying way that really helps to make all three of the films seem like a complete trilogy.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is as amazing as ever, taking up ALOT more screen time than I ever expected, but hey, JGL can't go wrong in my mind so no complaints here. Anne Hathaway is equally as awesome in a performance that really seems like something the actress actually cares about. Her enthusiasm and excitement is definately evident on the screen and it certainly pays off.

Now, Christian Bale. One thing I recently found myself thinking about was my attitude towards his performances during this Bat trilogy, specifically the fact that I've never once gave it a seconds thought. This led me to realise that this is a truly great achievement for an actor. His performance is so good, and subtle, that I never even noticed it. But now I truly see how fantastic he has been throughout all of these films, his consistency and understated acting is truly incredible, and I'd argue that these films may not have worked as well without him.
Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine are as brilliant as always, particular Caine, who really helps to bring an emotional heart to the movie. Marion Cotillard seemlessly slips into the movie well and the various support roles are all handled excentelly. Nolan definately knows how to cast right!

Regarding cinematography, I've found many reviewers commenting on how beautiful it is in the film. I couldn't disagree more. Wally's work on these Bat films really, really, really helps to make us believe what's happening on screen, it plainly presents to us the harsh reality of the world Batman inhabits and the films are all the better for it. Set-piece wise, the film excels, various 'attacks' on parts of Gotham look flawless and the war elements that Nolan promised are every bit as blood-pumping as they are pivotal and important to the story arc.

Gee, I can't believe I've written this much, no one will probably even read this so I'll stop now but if anyone is, I highly recommend this movie... seriously, watch BB and TDK and then go see TDKR now. It's an outstanding piece of filmmaking by an unrivalled filmmaker. Don't miss it (as if any of you would).

[jaykays hat]

Good review Lampost, I totally agree with all that you said and it has also made me realise just how good Bale is as the Batman. Tom Hardy is fast becoming one of my fave British actors and I also thought that his voice was pretty good and your mad-scientist-y summing up really does sum it up.

The knockers can knock this movie as much as they like but I go to the cinema to be entertained, I was very entertained.

[CaptainCrazy]

Originally Posted by jaykays hat

A fitting end to a superb trilogy. Yes it may be a tad too long and it didn't have the brilliance of Ledgers Joker but it had all the elements you'd expect from Nolan. I was very surprised by Hathaway's cat woman, I was expecting less and was pleasantly surprised just how good she was and how much she added to the story. Joseph Gordon-Levitt gave an excellent performance as the rookie cop. This was a British director using British leading actors and showing Hollywood just how its done. Loved it.

I didn't actually realise the amount of British actors until you mentioned it.

[jaykays hat]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrazy

I didn't actually realise the amount of British actors until you mentioned it.

Not only were the lead actors British, Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine but also some of the others were British, Burn Gordon (born in America but lived here since the age of 7), Tom Conti, Aiden Gillen, Liam Neeson, Cillian Murphy, and probably a lot of the extra's. We may be cheaper than the Americans but we are better actors.

[aragorn01]

i saw it last night...i was...VERY DISAPPOINTED by it.

it came up really quite short from The Dark Knight's tight narrative. Marion Cottillard and her character's wasted. Joe Gordon Levitt's over-used, while the bat himself is waaaayyyy underused.

one thing i like about the movie is Bale's scenes as Bruce. it gives something i kind of missed from Batman Begins, which was pretty much lost in TDK.

Bane's a pretty solid villain, but, his character's conclusion isn't too satisfying.

Catwoman's fine and hot. but..i dunno...there's something missing. and at times, her presence just feels like it's just being tagged on without really that much importance to the whole plot.

overall..i give it a B-