Rise !

Film: The Dark Knight Rises

Director: Christopher Nolan

Cast: Christian Bale, Tom hardy, Sir Michael Caine, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gary Oldman, Anne Hathaway, Marion Cotillard, Morgan Freeman

Genre: Action | Drama | Thriller

The film which acted like fodder for gossip for months has finally released. Isn’t that great ? Yes, feeling is amazing. The Dark Knight (released in 2008) was perfect and it’s not an easy task to top the perfection but still Christopher Nolan dared to go beyond it and made The Dark Knight Rises. I’ve never ever seen fans participating in the strategic viral marketing this actively for a particular film. Therefore, The Dark Knight Rises is the most awaited film of 2012 and it wisely pretends to be the greatest superhero film history has ever witnessed.

Film involves lot many characters and hence, elongated drama. 8 years have passed since Harvey Dent’s death and city under the Dent act is crime-free. No one has seen Batman/Bruce Wayne (played by Christian Bale) in this span and now when Gotham city is under the threat & claws of masked beast-like terrorist Bane (played by Tom Hardy), he must come and do the needful (like always). There’s more to it and I won’t tell because I want you to get goosebumps.

Bruce Wayne is between the harbinger of pain & depression so it’s not possible for him to show up instantly so we witness mostly drama in the first half. Christian Bale is flawless throughout the trilogy. I can’t imagine any other actor playing it more convincingly.

Every character in this film is smart but Catwoman/Selena Kyle (played by Anne Hathaway) is the smartest of the lot. She has the pace; she is sexy, smart & is the distinguished thief. Ever faithful butler Alfred (played by Sir Michael Caine) once again does everything he can to save Master Wayne from suffering & great actor has done a commendable work. He made the drama relatable and also evoked emotions which were much necessary to root for the ultimate hero. Commissioner Gordon (played by Gary Oldman) is not alone this time. For all the investigation and chases, he has got courageous Officer Blake (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) in whom he can invest his trust.

My favorite character of this film is Blake and not Batman. Joseph is just terrific and is consistently getting better and better with each film passing by. Whether he’s catching the guilty, searching some clue or chatting with character(s), he has performed superbly in each and every scene. Presence of Miranda (played by Marion Cotillard) will surely be felt at certain point and last but not the least, gadget guru Lucious Fox (played by Morgan Freeman). Fox returns with one hell of a surprise.

Even if Bane was audible, it wouldn’t have made much difference. Tom Hardy has successfully managed to transform himself into monster & I appreciate but he is not even 1% of what Joker was. Hope that sums up everything.

Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy isn’t just about action. It speaks much more than that. But action here is pretty remarkable. Witnessing Batpod rocketing on Gotham streets & performing some magic with its front wheel was a tremendously joyful experience & the last chase sequence comprising all the Batman mean machines made me totally speechless. 1 hour of the film is shot in 70 mm IMAX camera and you know what, it appears. Gotham’s horrific condition is captured marvelously & of course there’s that spectacular football field scene which is absolutely thrilling. For all that, lion part of credit also goes to the film’s cinematographer, Wally Pfister.

Background Score by Hans Zimmer is rich & deep enough to make you drown completely. Chant ‘Deh shay’ (meaning Rise) will surely stay in memory for long.   

Nolan brothers have given TDKR some smart twists and dialogues too are impressive but still it doesn’t outrun The Dark Knight. TDK still remains the greatest superhero film ever made. Psychological browbeat between Joker & Batman made it special but here there’s a physical combat which isn’t up to the mark plus there are some loopholes which you don’t expect from the man who utilized his god-like imagination & gave us some extraordinary mind-bending films. But I’d still strongly recommend everybody to watch TDKR because no other superhero will touch your emotional chord like Nolan’s Batman touches. To enjoy the finale to the fullest, one must have watched its predecessors.

Rating: 4/5