With the usual overflow of big-budget summer movies, it's easy for any one of them to get lost in the shuffle. But, there is oftentimes a filmmaker with ambition who will deliver a movie with big ideas in scope and story who doesn't shy away from wanting to make the viewers think in between action sequences. Christopher Nolan has risen to this occasion many times before, with his two previous Batman films and the sci-fi mind-bender Inception.
Nolan has now returned to conclude his poetic, grim and gritty trilogy of the Caped Crusader with The Dark Knight Rises. Never has a director created such superhero films that are this bleak, yet hopeful, in the troubled world that they depict. Four years after we watched Batman ride off into the night on his batpod in the final shot of the previous installment, The Dark Knight, the savior of Gotham City has swooped in to save its citizens in the most emotional chapter of Nolan's cinematic odyssey.
Eight years have passed since Batman was accused of killing Gotham District Attorney Harvey Dent. He hasn't been seen since because Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) has concealed himself in his manor and has become a recluse. After he has an encounter with the mysterious and seductive Selina Kyle/Catwoman (Anne Hathaway), it eventually leads to a series of events that will pit Batman against the terrorist leader Bane (Tom Hardy). In order to foil Bane's plans to bring destruction to Gotham City, Batman must embrace his destiny as a protector and come out of hiding, despite the public's anger towards him.
Christian Bale exhibits a fragility in both his characters of Bruce Wayne and Batman, giving a sense of hopelessness as we wonder if he has enough strength as he used to in order to defeat Bane. We first see Bruce walking with the help of a cane because of damage to his legs, and in one scene, Batman is subjected to a horrifying beat-down from his nemesis. What's most commendable about his character is that even though he seems to be losing his physical ability and the people of Gotham have labeled him as a murderer, he still feels it is his duty to save the city. The weakness in his legs further emphasizes that he is unlike most superheroes; although he has plenty of gadgets, he doesn't have any special powers. He is still vulnerable to pain. He is merely an ordinary man in a costume doing extraordinary deeds.
Before this film was released, it was safe to say that the Joker was the peak of villainy in the trilogy. Although Bane isn't as terrifying of an enemy has Heath Ledger's madman, he is still an adversary worthy of a battle of physicality against the Batman. With his menacing face mask and tall, hulking figure, he is a formidable opponent with his strength that is put side-by-side with Batman's strength, which has decreased during is leave of absence. He wants nothing more than to promise hope, and then yank it away. Although his motivations for dastardliness aren't as frightening as those of the Joker, towards the end, there is a secret layer to his character that is revealed that makes him surprisingly sympathetic.
Anne Hathaway is perhaps the most enigmatic character of the story. During the first half, we're not certain which side she is playing for, seeing as she tends to make both sides either like her or hate her. She carries a greater sense of danger in her version of the character than Michelle Pheiffer did in Batman Returns. The way she sneaks around Wayne Manor and the city hints that she has some ulterior motives other than to simply steal valuables. She has more on her mind than just petty theft, and is rather an empowering character.
Gary Oldman's role as Commissioner James Gordon has an interesting inner conflict as he struggles to decide whether or not to reveal to Gotham that it was Harvey Dent who almost killed Gordon's family. But, his heroism that his character exemplified in The Dark Knight isn't as prominent in this film, which is a shame, considering his high ranking in the police force.
The most poignant performance comes from the legendary Michael Caine as Bruce's noble and loyal butler Alfred. As Bruce's long-time guardian, we get to see more of the emotional toll that comes with keeping secrets from Bruce and trying to protect him. He's like a parent who doesn't want to see his child get into danger, but must stay on the sidelines and give sagely advice as Mr. Wayne sets out to accomplish what he believes in.
With each Batman movie, Nolan manages to impress us with new gadgets and vehicles for the hero's use, given to him by his trusty electronics aficionado, Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman). Not only do we get the return of the batpod and batmobile, but we see Batman get airborne with his jet-like mode of transportation called The Bat. With the cinematography by Wally Pfister, a frequent collaborator with Nolan, the grand shots of Batman driving through the streets and flying between the buildings of Gotham City create an epic scale of a hero on a mission.
Nolan smartly rejects the use of 3D for his movies, not requiring the extra dimension to assist in telling a story this size. Instead, he uses IMAX cameras to film some of the most important scenes; appropriate enough, since he has a talent for staging detailed action sequences. From the bone-crunching fight between Batman and Bane to the clashing armies of Gotham's cops and criminals, Nolan likes to go big, and not just for spectacle.
The screenplay by Christopher and Jonathan Nolan delves deep into its superhero character on a level unlike other comic-book characters turned into film. In some cases, the scenes of exposition and revelations can prove more memorable than their action scenes. It's a rather intoxicating feel to listen to these characters and hear what their views are for their city and its crumbling morals, as well as their own feelings and regrets. The one problem is that a couple of characters either aren't around for as long as you would hope, or don't have as interesting story arcs as in the previous installments.
As a director, Christopher Nolan has a tendency to peer into the consciousnesses of his characters to help explain the choices they make. The people in his movies are well worth analyzing in between the trips on the batpod and batmobile. His gloomy examination of a city on the brink of destruction, troubled heroes and disturbing villains is a brave divergent from the more fluffy affair of other superhero films. The Dark Knight Rises brings Nolan's grand trilogy to a stirring conclusion. As soon as the screen goes black, you feel two things: the first is the distress that the journey is over, and the second is the feeling of fortune that you have witnessed an achievement in the superhero genre that might not be replicated for decades. Bravo, Christopher Nolan, bravo.
Final grade: A-
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