Aug 6, 2012

The Dark Knight Rises [2012]


Before going in to see the film, I didn't read the reviews or the spoilers- I didn't knew who was the villain (except Bane) or the character reveal at the end; all I remember was reading a tweet that said the film had a lot of plot holes. Besides that, nothing, so I went into the theatre with normal expectations, trying to have a clean view on it.

Ladies and gentlemen, sorry to say, but I was not that impressed. Yes, it's a very good action movie, with great visual effects and fight scenes, grand, magnificent and brave, but it didn't do it for me. It didn't have Dark Knight's tight, intriguing and slightly crazy storyline, or Heath Ledger's complex character type, it didn't help people connect with the characters; moreover, the movie seemed to try too hard in achieving greatness and darkness at times, some plot holes were too obvious and I honestly didn't understand half of the things Bane said. It still has the Batman/Nolan magic, but it's not better or more exciting than the first two.

I love, for most of it, Nolan's direction and vision. I understand where he is going and I appreciate and admire his ways, but sometimes it was too much (Bane taking over the city and all his speeches). He creates epic movies, with many subtleties that are surely missed at the first view (I remember seeing Inception for the second time and understanding so much more then); on one hand, it plants a doubt or an intrigue on your brain and you remember it, but on the other hand you leave the theatre unsatisfied and that leads to a not so stellar opinion overall. If I would have to classify his movies, I would put Dark Knight and Inception above TDKR, if not others, too.

See, that was my problem- this need for an epic finale of the Batman trilogy, with huge action scenes, and end-of-the-world speeches and moments, felt sometimes too fake and over the top...and this is where the plot holes come in. Struggling for almost a year to get of the worst prison in the world, Bruce Wayne climbs to the top, and without any money, passport, transport, he arrives safe and sound and with clothes in the most protected, craziest and secluded place in the world. Should I even mention the fact that if a bomb would really explode in the middle of the ocean or bay, it would probably trigger a tsunami so strong that could wipe out a city? And how did he have time to get out of there in time? Also, when did he have time to write his will leaving all of the buildings he previously lost AND indications for a specific character before being forced into the pit? I'm sure there are more and more important than this one, but I'll leave it at that.

Before I continue, I know most of you are probably rolling their eyes right now, saying "Come on, it's an action movie/blockbuster/different world, why is it so important?"- it isn't and I probably wouldn't have noticed or mention it, if it wasn't for the fact that overall, the movie failed to impress or excite me. You could argue that Avengers had a worse script or bigger plot holes, yes, but that movie had me on the edge of my seat, entertained and excited for most of the time.

But, you see, there are some amazing details in The Dark Knight Rises that need to be talked about. Firstly, the splendid Hans Zimmer score, who was perfectly chilling and powerful for the story. Secondly, the visually beautiful cinematography, from the close ups or wide shots, to the dark tone of the film. Thirdly, the fantastic casting: I love Michael Caine- his sweet, wise, caring and noble personality, and most especially, his last scenes, as they were, probably, the only moments where my emotions got to me (and, of course,the goodbye scene). Christian Bale, mister Batman himself, continued his line of great performances by delivering a suffering, dark and lonesome Batman. Tom Hardy's was good, but that's the thing- he didn't actually stand out in any way, which is probably ok, since his character is just a toy of the main villain, just a man fighting someone else's war, because of love. Anne Hathway was a lovely surprise and I really liked her portrayal of Catwoman, and Marion Cotillard was stunning as usual- got to say, I was not expecting that twist at the end. As for Joseph Gordon-Levitt, well, yet again, nothing out of the ordinary until the last scenes, were I was, once more, taken back by the reveal. My friends seem to think we will definitely have a continuation because of that, do you think so, too?

I admit, the last part was pretty amazing and I loved all the character revelations, the way Nolan tied up loose ends by giving Alfred his dream ending and so on.

To sum things up, The Dark Knight Rises is a fantastic summer blockbuster that fails to connect in some places. Wonderfully made and full of action and power, but doesn't reach its maximum potential, as it clogs in a sea of details, characters, storylines and a need for epic proportions. If I really had to rate it (something that I never do, as you must have noticed), I would give it a 3.5, maybe 4, out of 5. That's still good, right?

18 comments:

  1. Excellent review Diana. If I could suggest anything it would be to watch it at lest one more time. You will get even more out of it on a 2nd viewing.

    To answer your question about Bruce getting back to the US from Istanbul. Remember he traveled the globe for 5 years in Batman Begins. He's experienced in illegal world travel.

    In reality it's near impossible but it can be done. As a training exercise US Special Forces at times have dropped soldiers overseas and given them a time limit to return back to their US base.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the reply, nice to have you here! I forgot about the Batman Begins detail, I hadn't seen it in a while and I guess that makes sense!

      Delete
  2. Hey, glad you also tried to avoid as much stuff before going into this. I did too and so I was surprised in a few parts. I gave it a 4/5 also, I just think there was too much going on that it was not as tight as I'd have liked Nolan's movie to be. There were also plot issues I had with it, as I've intimated in my review [in the spoiler section]. It's a satisfying blockbuster, but not a masterpiece that I had hoped for.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I agree! Also, it's good that we both got into it with no expectations, it's better this way

      Delete
  3. I feel like you're doing what I did - searching for reasons to say, "Well, I did like SOME things.. it had good music! Anne Hathaway?" as if people won't take you seriously if you just flat-out say it was BAD.

    And you're right to make the comparison with Avengers; I know that they're polar opposites in terms of style and tone, but the example there is that the audience will suspend their disbelief IF you give them a reason to. TDKR beat us over the head with "THIS IS A SERIOUS IMPORTANT MOVIE YOU GUYS OKAY TAKE IT SERIOUSLY" so our natural reaction is, "Okay, then what's with all the stupid mistakes, plotholes, flat characters, and stretches of boring?"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You seem to be against it, I take it you hated it!?! You do have a point in saying that we were "forced" into thinking it is a very serious and important movie...

      Delete
  4. Great review. I absolutely loved the film, which was quite surprising to me. Your questions/problems with it are all valid, but I was able to overlook those minor (for me) qualms and just enjoy the epic story. I suppose I gave it some leeway because it was based on a comic book. For me, it was WAY better than the first two Nolan Batman films.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Josh! Way better than the first two? even Dark Knight? hmm...

      Delete
  5. Great review, though obviously I liked it much more than you did. As for plot holes the only one that bothered me was the same thing you wrote - Bruce getting in Gotham after climbing out of the pit. Still for me Avengers was kinda like bubble gum and this was an actual dinner and desert that also came n such quantities you can enjoy it over and over again :) Glad you liked Catwoman, she was just amazing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like the analogy, bubble gum and actual dinner :) go Catwoman!

      Delete
  6. Everything about this movie is just so darn epic, that I honestly couldn’t wait to just stand up, cheer my head off, and show my love for the epic trilogy that Christopher Nolan has made for me, and made for me with total love and care. Great way to say bye-bye to everybody’s favorite Bat. Nice review Diana.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Really good review Diana. You hit on many of the points that made TDKR a lesser than perfect film for me. It was really really good, and I did love most of it, but it ends up being so flawed. The thing is that it comes so close to being perfect, and doesn't because of stupid little things- that annoyed me.

    Honestly, I do not remember any plotholes in The Avengers. I had wayyyyyyy too much fun in that film. To sort of steal from Sati's analogy, it is like that really incredible appetizer that the main course (TDKR), though more wholesome, just fails to follow in terms of the taste and enjoyment.

    I did love Catwoman and Blake though. Music is incredible. Bane was mostly great and so were the others. There is a lot of love, just not everything.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "it is like that really incredible appetizer that the main course (TDKR), though more wholesome, just fails to follow in terms of the taste and enjoyment."- love it, agree with it! We should definitely continue reviewing films with food analogies, it's perfect

      Delete
  8. I like your review, very first hand and personal. I've never said this but immediately when I saw the very first trailer for TDKR months and months ago I had this suspicious feeling we would be let down by a lacklustre sequel. After that I avoided all reviews, trailers up to the point I sat in the cinema for the first viewing. I was really surprised and taken by how sweeping and sprawling the film was. Sure it has it's problems and could do without some of the bloat but I felt Nolan did justice to Batman by closing the trilogy off in this way.

    I watched it a second time on Sunday and I must say even with the long running time the pacing and editing were excellent. I think the film will hold up better on future viewings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Omar, thanks for dropping by and for your kind words, glad to see you liked it! I also heard a second viewing makes things better and I am tempted, but I will wait till the DVD comes out! Thanks!

      Delete
  9. Good review Aziza! I really enjoyed it. Thought it hit all the right notes with intelligence too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Dan, it did, although some scenes were a bit off!

      Delete