The Dark Knight Rises

Release Date: Jul 20, 2012 

Runtime: 2 hr. 45 min. 

Director: Christopher Nolan 

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

It's said that every legend has a beginning. Out of the depths of darkness rose a masked hero who believed in the greater good of the people, and fought the evils that shrouded it. And when the time called for justice, he took the fall, restoring the peace that had long been forgotten. Now eight years later, the Dark Knight's journey comes to its epic conclusion, marking what is easily one of the most iconic and ground-breaking trilogies to date. Some may say it's cathartic in a sense, after years of anticipating and speculating every minute detail. Nolan has not only modernized the comic book genre, he's revolutionized it further than many other films. Ergo, it's with much scrutiny and heavy-heartedness that befalls "The Dark Knight Rises," as it attempts to best its celebrated counterparts. In its opening sequence, the new villain is promptly introduced. Brawny and intimidating, yet terrifyingly intellectual, Bane is the physical inverse of the maniacal Joker, while an equal adversary for the Caped Crusader. But whereas the plot was concisely laid out in "The Dark Knight," here it becomes ensnared in the establishment of new characters and timelines, resulting in a complicated and rather tepid first half. Additionally, the City of Gotham appears less fictional than before, as metropolitan trademarks are readily recognizable in sweeping views of the city and streets. This modification becomes more obvious by the greater presence of daylight, which balks in contrast to the nocturnal settings that Nolan previously employed. But with new changes come novel forms of appreciation...Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle/Catwoman being one of them. Like Heath Ledger before her, she takes on the heavy-duty task of assuming a past role, a role of which Michelle Pfeiffer so dexterously accomplished in a catsuit with fierce demeanor. However, doubters can rest assure, Hathaway not only meets such expectations, she exceeds them, and is the high point amongst the evildoers of Gotham. On the flip side, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the city's latest defender is steadfast in his acting abilities, taking on a prominent role that intertwines with the rest of the supporting cast. So much so that Bale as Bruce Wayne and Batman feels absent most of the time, in spite of the film being directly about him. At any rate, once the second half of the film ignites, it's a force to be reckoned with. Massive action scenes and a final showdown bring together a finale that's worthy of any franchise, and a clear indication that all good things must come to an end. While "The Dark Knight Rises" is not the strongest of the trilogy, it's still a work of legend that's irreplaceable. Christopher Nolan's Batman will long live on, and there's no denying that.

Rating: 4½ stars

The Amazing Spider-Man

Release Date: Jul 03, 2012  

Runtime: 2 hr. 16 min. 

Director: Marc Webb 

Cast: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Martin Sheen, Sally Field. 

Reboots, remakes, whatever you call it, can be a win or lose situation. On the one hand, it's a chance to atone for past mistakes and put a new spin on things. On the other, it's an unnecessary gamble, especially when its predecessor has barely been forgotten. Regardless of the matter, the "Spider-Man" reboot takes a daring leap of faith, and it seems befitting that it's directed by none other than a guy called Webb. Despite touting the 'untold story' route, the refurbished tale has not changed much from what we know. It still maintains the backbone of the web-slinger's roots as depicted in Sam Raimi's version, while modifying its features closer to the original comicbook. No, the real adjustment here comes in the form of its two leads, Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, and there lies the difference that makes this update so 'amazing.' The problem with Tobey Maguire's Peter Parker was that he lacked bravado. It was hard to believe that he could scale building tops and fight crime when his own bookish alter ego was so painstakingly monotonous. Garfield is the exact opposite. His awkward, introverted persona is well balanced with his vigilante side, which in turn is imbued with self-confidence. To top it off, his chemistry with Stone as Gwen Stacy is so convincing and pivotal to the romantic subplot, that it's a shame she can't double as Mary Jane in future sequels. Not to be overlooked, the visual territory has undergone a drastic transformation as well. Darker and sleeker, the saturated colors of the revamped suit really pop against the backdrop; and the addition of the Spidey-view makes it all the more exciting. Still, a reboot doesn't cure all imperfections as it does alleviate them. The cheesiness is still present, albeit toned down and less intrusive. And Garfield's Spider-Man occasionally comes off as arrogant, though not in the way that Robert Downey Jr. can pull it off. In any case, Marc Webb puts forth a valiant effort and it pays off, both on screen and at the box office. Unfortunately for him, the victory will be short-lived as "The Dark Knight Rises" rapidly approaches.

Rating: 3½ stars

Ted

Release Date: Jun 29, 2012 

Runtime: 1 hr. 46 min. 

Director: Seth MacFarlane 

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Seth MacFarlane, Joel McHale, Giovanni Ribisi.

If toys could talk, they'd probably utter obscenities - for Seth MacFarlane, anyway. From the brain that brought you "Family Guy," comes a heartfelt story of love and friendship, between a manchild and his teddy bear. Mark Wahlberg stars as John Bennett, whose wish for a real-life companion is magically granted. Enter Ted: the foul-mouthed, booze-drinking stuffed toy. For any fan of MacFarlane's show, this is basically a live-action replica of the cartoon sitcom. Only, replace the dog with a bear and throw out all family values. Moreover, it's vulgar, unrestricted...and better yet, just as hilarious. And this is partly due to the peculiarity that is Mark Wahlberg. Though typically inclined towards more dramatic roles, his comedic performances are what always stand out. Case in point: "The Other Guys." His humor combined with his deadpan expression are a trademark of the actor, not to mention his recent rapport with a talking bear. Which brings us to MacFarlane, the voice behind the animal. His vocal presence on "Family Guy" is unmistakably the main essence of the show, and it continues to be so in "Ted." The CGI ingeniously captures his personality full-on, including all the cynicism that comes along with it. And there's no limit to what he can pull off in an R-rated comedy. This may be why the film takes on a darker tonality in the third act, which somewhat dampens the mood. It could have done without the masochism, but hey, that's just his style. Either way, "Ted" is one of the more creative comedies to come around in awhile, and we have Peter Griffin to thank for that.

Rating: 3½ stars