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