Review: The Dark Knight Rises

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The Dark Knight Rises

IMAX theaters can often seem impersonal, large looming theaters with the screen so far away and hundreds of people in the auditorium. However, since my personal preference especially for action films is to have no distractions in my periphereal vision, I decided to see The Dark Knight Rises at the Bob Bullock IMAX Theater rather than a traditional movie metroplex. I was not disappointed with this decision -- I left the theater breathless and high on adrenalin after being immersed in a two-and-a-half-hour thrill ride through the streets and bowels of Gotham, and into the hellish pit of an inescapable prison.

Eight years have passed since Batman (Christian Bale) disappeared into the night, after convincing a reluctant Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman) to keep quiet about the crimes and horrors of Harvey Dent. Batman became a fugitive for the death of Gotham's District Attorney Harvey Dent. Crime in Gotham has been repressed with the anti-crime Dent Act, with over 1,800 prison inmates incarcerated without the option of parole.

An even more immediate danger is the appearance of Bane (Tom Hardy), a masked terrorist with ties to the League of Shadows who plans to fulfill Ra's al Ghul's legacy of destroying Gotham and seeking revenge on Batman. As he puts on the mask again, Batman must also deal with elusive cat burglar Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway) while Bruce Wayne addresses the deteriorating state of financial affairs for Wayne Enterprises during his self-imposed exile. With Daggett (Ben Mendelsohn) intent on taking over control of Wayne Enterprises, Wayne must entrust board member Miranda Tate (Marion Cotillard) with the well-being of his family's company and its hidden and more dangerous assets.

The Dark Knight Rises doesn't rely solely on its action sequences to carry the film and engage viewers. The emotional pain and mental anguish for many of the characters is more prominent than physical pain and torture. Christopher Nolan's direction along with his and Jonathan Nolan's screenwriting not only respects Bruce Wayne's emotional turmoil after the death of his beloved Rachel but also those around him who've been party to the deception of Gotham involving the true nature of their "White Knight" Harvey Dent. A guilt-ridden Commissioner Gordon wants to reveal the truth behind Harvey Dent, and clear the name of The Dark Knight. Even Bruce Wayne's loyal staff also suffer, as Alfred (Michael Caine) reveals his fears that Gotham will be the death of Wayne and Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) keeps the most powerful asset of Wayne Enterprises R&D hidden -- a fission reactor capable of producing green energy.

The casting and character development of The Dark Knight Rises is brilliant, with often emotional performances and well-directed characterizations. Caine's emotional and epiphanic scenes as Alfred evoke tears with the realization that he cares more for Bruce Wayne's well-being than Batman's commitment to Gotham. Once again Oldman breaks out through his star power to immerse himself in the persona of Jim Gordon, and Hathaway is well suited for the role of Catwoman. The new kid on the block, Officer John Blake, is so well developed and portrayed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt that it would seem quite fitting to follow his story arc.

As much as I enjoyed his predecessors, lead actor Christian Bale owns the role of Batman/Bruce Wayne as his portrayal is less of a caricature and more of a true and conflicted human being. Wayne is a shell of his former self as he grieves for Rachel, hidden away in the Wayne Manor, and although he returns in body he must later use the fear of death as an asset to escape from another and more real prison. Bale's epic performance in The Dark Knight Rises at times strikes a stunning resemblance to his portrayal of U.S. fighter pilot and Vietcong prisoner Dieter Dengler in Werner Herzog's film Rescue Dawn.

In what I expect will be one of the most heatedly discussed topics of The Dark Knight Rises, there's no doubt that Hardy's Bane is no contest for Heath Ledger as The Joker in The Dark Knight. However, whereas The Joker may be "the Devil in the pale moonlight," The Dark Knight Rises conveys an even greater and more chaotic evil than can be embodied by one character. It's the slow simmer of poisonous vitriol rising to a boil in the belly of Gotham, both figuratively and literally. Gotham may seem at peace thanks to the Dent Act, but Commissioner Gordon is right in fearing how the lies and deception that were necessary to establish the White Knight will backlash on the people of Gotham. As Bane proclaims, "It doesn't matter who we are, what matters is our plan" that encompasses this greater threat and establishes Bane as a well-played chess piece in the game always at hand for the city of Gotham.

The art direction, cinematography and special effects are stunning in The Dark Knight Rises, and the climatic action sequence literally left me light-headed from holding my breath in anticipation. Even if you choose not to see this film at an IMAX theater, try to select a theater with a good sound system -- some of the dialogue from Bane as well as Batman can be difficult to hear at times. Pay attention to details, and your investment will pay off in great rewards through the twists and turns of the closing chapter of Batman.