Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Film Review: "The Dark Knight Rises"


Warning:  The following review contains spoilers.

There have been quite a few successful film trilogies over the years.  The The “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.  The "Toy Story" trilogy.  And  both "Star Wars" trilogies.  And on July 20, 2012, “The Dark Knight Rises,” the final entry in Director Christopher Nolan's three-part saga about the caped vigilante Batman; who fought many villains in an undying effort to keep the people of Gotham City safe. And every one of Nolan's films featured memorable performances from the cast; led by Christian Bale, who portrays the brave crime fighter; who in actuality is the detached inventor and billionaire Bruce Wayne. In every film, Bale never once strayed from his steadfast portrayal of Bruce Wayne; resulting in memorable performances throughout Christopher Nolan's three films. And like the other installments, all the castmembers bestow great acting; all under the great directing of Nolan himself. Thus, I can say with utmost honesty:

With “The Dark Knight Rises,” Christopher Nolan Ends His Trilogy with Truly Emotional Performances from the Cast

Throughout Christopher Nolan's “The Dark Knight Rises,” the performances of the cast never miss a beat. When first hearing about Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne, we learn that he's hung up his costume and has discontinued fighting crime eight years. As we remember from Nolan's 2008's blockbuster, Wayne has let his Batman persona take the heat for the death of Aaron Eckhart's Harvey Dent; the once-noble district attorney that became corrupted by the villainous Joker, played masterfully by the late Heath Ledger, thus becoming a vindictive murderer. Christian Bale's protagonist is facing strong financial problems after investing in an energy project created by Wayne Enterprises board member Miranda Tate; played by Marion Cotillard. Henceforth, Bale's Bruce Wayne is living an isolated lifestyle and refuses to show up to any public events. At the same time, an immense and fearful thug known as Bane, played intimidatingly by Tom Hardy, who is unleashing fear onto Gotham City. When Bruce Wayne's old friend and Gotham City Police Commissioner James Gordon, played wholeheartedly by Gary Oldman, gets shot by Bane's thugs, he is taken to the hospital; where he speaks with an idealistic young cop named John Blake, played genuinely by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who believes in Batman's good intentions and possesses a strong commitment to keep good people safe. Gordon-Levitt's John Blake tracks down Bale's protagonist and explains that Batman needs to continue in his unending fight against evil. Our hero sees strong determination in the eyes of John Blake; and after speaking with Gary Oldman's Commissioner Gordon, who is slowly recovering in the hospital, decides to resume his crime-fighting ways-- despite the chagrin of his devoted butler Alfred; played sincerely by Michael Caine. And as the film progresses, the performances of the cast prove to be strong and memorable.

Perhaps the most unforgettable performance in Christopher Nolan's 2012 blockbuster is, of course, bestowed by Christian Bale; who unfailingly portrays Bruce Wayne. As he did in the previous two installments of the franchise, Bale's feat possesses such great emotion; so much so, that every interaction he shares with a friend or foe is completely genuine. At the start of the film, Bale's Bruce Wayne has hung up his batman cowl and armor; seeing as the Gotham City Police are arresting criminals under codes that Aaron Eckhart's Harvey Dent used in prosecuting foes. But, after Joseph Gordon-Levitt's John Blake discusses with Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne about the importance of Batman, the light in our hero's eyes begin to shine; as he becomes once again eager to spring to action. Unfortunately, it is proven that Tom Hardy's heinous Bane proves to be a tough fight; as the immensely strong adversary appears to get the upper hand. Nevertheless, thanks to Bale's fervent acting, strong determination burns in Bruce Wayne's soul; as he continues to do whatever he can to put an end to his adversary's wrath; no matter the cost. And because of our lead actor's emotive acting, we can root for Bruce Wayne every step of the way.



And while Christian Bale brings a great performance as protagonist Bruce Wayne, it is very important to highlight Tom Hardy's turn as the merciless Bane. In the first few minutes that the film's antagonist is on screen, the audience is able to witness just how dangerous he is. Even just by looking at Hardy's on-screen persona, the audience is able to feel the immense power this villian is capable of unleashing.  And throughout his tenure in the film, Tom Hardy guarantees a terrifying presence for the character; as the actor's on-screen persona strikes fear into the people of Gotham City. And when it;s time for Bruce Wayne, in his Batman garb, to confront Hardy's Bane, the audience is able to gasp sincerely when watching the two battle. Watching Tom Hardy portray Bane is indeed enthralling; thanks to his striking performance.

While Christian Bale and Tom Hardy portray their characters with such poise, it is also important to mention the roles of rest of the film's skilled cast. Michael Caine, for example, returns to portray Alfred; who serves as not only the butler of Bale's Bruce Wayne, but his father figure as well. As he did in “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight,” Michael Caine supplies an earnest performance; as he is always looking out for Wayne's well-being. As Bale's on-screen persona has aged as well as recovin the time since events that took place in “Knight,” Caine's Alfred worries that our hero is at great risk of being seriously injured. Caine's Alfred pleads with the film's protagonist to not continue putting his life in jeopardy; leading to a serious disagreement between the two characters. And just like they exhibited in the previous two installments, Christian Bale and Michael Caine interact very well together; thus leading to one of the most earnest sequences in the film.

In addition, Gary Oldman once again portrays Police Commissioner James Gordon with outstanding dedication. At the beginning of the movie, Oldman's Character is still remembering the wrath of the vitiated Harvey Dent. He is still trying to maintain order in Gotham City; unfortunately, he gets shot by the forces of Tom Hardy's Bane, Oldman's on-screen persona ultimately is taken to the hospital by Joseph Gordon-Levitt's John Blake. Commissioner James Gordon knows that the city needs Batman to stop Bane and restore hope in the hearts of Gotham City's residents. And as the film progresses, Oldman bestows the audience with a very sincere performance; as he enables his character to remain ever- determined to help put an end to Bane's wrath. And thanks to the strong amount of emotion the actor displays throughout “The Dark Knight Rises,” we are able to fully believe the actor's portrayal of of Commissioner James Gordon.

I must also commend Joseph Gordon-Levitt for his sincere and unwavering performance as John Blake; a Gotham City cop that exhibits as much determination that Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne displayed throughout Christopher Nolan's franchise. As most of the city has turned their backs on Batman, as Bruce Wayne has allowed his alter ego to take the blame for Harvey Dent's death, Gordon-Levitt's John Blake believes in the caped crusader and knows that he has the responsibility to keep people safe. When confronting Bale's Bruce Wayne, Gordon-Levitt allows his on-screen persona to display such firmness that is paralleled to our hero's. And when working with Gary Oldman's Commissioner Gordon, John Blake does whatever he can to maintain order and help protect people from an army of criminals that Tom Hardy's Bane breaks out of Gotham City's prisons. And thanks to Gordon-Levitt's acting, the character's strong will is always present; thus enabling his performance to be truly memorable.



“The Dark Knight Rises” also features fine acting from Anne Hathaway; who portrays mysterious cat burger Selina Kyle; who also happens to have ties to Tom Hardy's Bane. While often seen in romantic comedies and dramas, it is intriguing to see Hathaway partake in a modern-day comic book film. Throughout the film, Hathaway's character coyly interacts wduriith Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne; leading to some very enticing interactions. The actress enables her on-screen persona to be ever-cryptic; thus allowing the audience to be skeptical of some of her actions. In additiodn, Hathaway does fine during all her action scenes; as she constantly holds her ground and keeps the audience's attention throughout her tenure in the film. In other words, her overall performance is very good.

While “The Dark Knight Rises” is rich in great performances, there are a few shortcomings that should be addressed. While Screenwriters Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan have penned a very comprehensive and exciting, I feel that certain performers' characters' presence in the film could have been a little more increased. For instance, while Morgan Freeman once again portrays our hero's armorer and Wayne Enterprises proxy Lucius Fox with great skill, I feel that his presence in the film is greatly limited. Yes, Freeman's Lucius Fox plays an important role at certain parts of the film, but I feel that the character could have been given a tad more screen-time; seeing as the iconic actor and Christian Bale interact very well together. I also wish that Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan wrote more interactions between Tom Hardy's Bane and Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne / Batman. The audience is bestowed with some memorable confrontations between the two characters; but, in all honesty, I feel there could have been a couple more exciting sequences. Finally, the film's two-hour-and-forty-four-minute run-time is slightly long; seeing as certain scenes drag out- which, in turn, causes some important twists as well as a surprise appearance from a very important character to appear rushed or tacked on. Nevertheless, “The Dark Knight Rises” proves to a fitting conclusion to Christopher Nolan's trilogy.

All in all, despite its defects, “The Dark Knight Rises” ultimately features top-notch performances from the cast. The performances by everyone involved are rich in emotion; thus leading to the audience to not want to miss a minute of the action. And while certain sequences do either linger or appear rushed, the film proves to be very good and memorable. Well done Christopher Nolan. Well done.

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