Movie Madness: The Dark Knight Rises

Holy flying batmobile batman! (sorry, I just had to do that! :p )

O! M! G!

And any other variant on that exclamation. In various languages. That was me during the movie! Woah! Holy shhhh... Oh no they didn't! AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!! no no no no NOOOO!!! La vache!!! Pu***n!!! Jod**r!!! WOAH!!!

Damn. I was so glued to me seat I couldn't get myself out of it until the credits finished rolling (I blame the music). Just in case there was one. final. scene. (there isn't)

I can't quite believe he did it. Nolan actually crafted a trilogy in which each film was better than the previous one! Each one independent, and yet part of a greater whole. I loved how in this one there were flashbacks to crucial character moments from the first and second films, a reminder of certain key moments for those who'd seen them, or a useful bit of information if by some strange circumstance one was watching this one without having seen the others (like a friend who went with me). Let these be a lesson to those who think they can get away by just rehashing their previous material.

If you know nothing about this movie (aside from what you saw in the previous two films) then STAY AWAY from spoilers! I had heard something about one of the characters and it sadly ruined one surprise for me.

The Dark Knight Rises takes place 8 years after The Dark Knight ends. Commissioner Gordon's and Batman's plan (to have Batman take the fall for the crimes of a deranged Dent) worked. The city passed some stricter anti-crime laws and organised crime seems to now be a thing of the past, and no one has seen or heard from Batman since that fateful night. Of course we know this state of affairs isn't going to last (otherwise we wouldn't be here watching!). They did a great job in showing how this major lie has weighed on the two men who carry all that responsibility on their shoulders: Gordon and Bruce Wayne. Well, actually Bruce Wayne is still living in the past, hasn't gotten path that other death at the end of Dark Knight... *sigh* 

Great introduction to Selina Kyle a.k.a. Batwoman! And although Anne Hathaway may not have quite the same sex appeal of a Michelle Pfeiffer, she's leagues above Halle Berry's work in the role! And she did great with the action scenes and showing both strength and vulnerability in her character! I thought she was fantastic! :o) 

Also loved our new cop friend whose name I can't remember right now (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) because he gave a different name later and that was a WOAH! moment for me so that's the one that stuck!  (but him figuring out what he figures out seemed a bit far-fetched to me, even if it was "recognising the look on his own face") And he is a key character in this film, he kind of gets the ball rolling and in a way we see most of it through is eyes.

Bane was very impressive, and although the voice is a bit annoying, you get used to it. Loved the way they used him to make the rest of the characters learn and grow... and get beaten to a pulp! And boy does he have a good story! :p

Could have used more scenes with Alfred, but enjoyed seeing Commissioner Gordon again! Count me in for any future Gary Oldman movies! :o)

And Christian Bale. Wow. His performance was just perfect as both Batman (they improved his funky voice a bit) and Bruce Wayne! A broken man who needs to be broken even more before he can rise again...

In case it isn't obvious: I LOVED IT!!! 

Loved the way they started things up again. Loved that they were consisted with the consequences of the second film. Loved Bruce's wake-up call and Alfred's loyalty. Loved the twists and turns. And LOVED the endings! Little tid-bits that wrap things up nicely and yet leave room for us to imagine oh so much more! :o)

(finally a movie I've gotten excited about this dreary summer!)

Cherry on top? I got to see it in ENGLISH!!! No dubbing! YAY! :D

For a more thorough review, may I recommend visiting Billie Doux? (I really enjoy their reviews of genre movies and TV shows) And don't worry, no spoilers! ;o)