Review: The Dark Knight Rises

I have two things that I must own up to:

1. I’ve neglected this blog for a bit.  And I apologize.  School has been my top priority recently.
2. I haven’t seen any of the big blockbuster movies that have come out this summer, except “The Dark Knight Rises”…  Didn’t see “Avengers”, didn’t see “Brave”, didn’t see “The Amazing Spiderman”.  I’m sorry, ok?!  Hopefully, the fact that I did get to see “The Dark Knight Rises” will make up for all of that…. maybe.

With all of that being said, is there any point to writing a review of “The Dark Knight Rises”?  I mean, seriously, I don’t understand how anyone could not like this movie.

“The Dark Knight Rises” takes places 8 years after the events of “The Dark Knight”.  Gotham has found peace after the death of Harvey Dent and Batman has stepped out of the picture, a vigilante turned enemy of the city, taking the blame for Dent’s death so that Gotham can get its shit together (pardon the language).  That peace is broken, however, when Bane (Tom Hardy) steps into the picture and all hell breaks loose.

Christian Bale returns as Batman/Bruce Wayne and, as always, does a fantastic job in his portrayal of the Dark Knight.  I have to say though, there was more emotion in his performance in this movie than there has been in the previous two, and this ultimately worked extremely well for the entire film.

Gary Oldman is back as Lieutenant Gordon and, because it is Gary Oldman we’re talking about, he is awesome.

Michael Caine as Alfred was heartbreaking.  A couple of times, he nearly had me in tears.

Christian Bale and Michael Caine in “The Dark Knight Rises”

Marion Cotillard is Miranda Tate.  Her role may seem small, however, her character is an important factor towards the end of the film, and she pulls it off nicely.

Joseph Gordon Levitt  plays police officer John Blake.  Other than the fact that I have a huge crush on this man, I think he is an excellent actor, and I am extremely happy with how he has been in so many great movies (Inception, 500 Days of Summer, 50/50)  and has pulled off great performances.  This movie is no exception.  He is amazing.

Joseph Gordon Levitt in “The Dark Knight Rises”

Anne Hathaway stole the show for me as Selina Kyle (aka Catwoman).  I was not expecting the girl from “The Princess Diaries” to pull off this role.  But she did, and I was extremely impressed.

Anne Hathaway in “The Dark Knight Rises”

Last, but certainly not least, is Tom Hardy as Bane.  When I found out that Bane was going to be the villain in this movie, I wasn’t very ecstatic about it, I must admit.  Bane?! I thought.  After Heath Ledger’s Joker, they’re going to try and pull off Bane as the next villain?  I will say this, though- no actor in the world will ever be able to portray the Joker as amazingly as Heath Ledger did… ever.  However, I am being completely honest when I say that Tom Hardy as Bane was completely terrifying.  He literally leaves you feeling like there is no hope for anybody.  He is in control and he is indestructible.  It was everything that you expect in a villain.

Tom Hardy in “The Dark Knight Rises”

Amazing, phenomenal, fantastic… These words can’t even come close to describing what Christopher Nolan pulled off.  And it really is a shame that he won’t be coming back to make another one.

Everything about this movie is amazing- the acting, the visuals, the effects, the plot- everything is there.  Everything works.  Everything is great.

When I saw this movie, everyone in the theater was literally sitting forward in their seats in anticipation.  The entire theater was completely silent, just taking everything in- a testiment to how great this movie is, when you can go to a theater in my town and be in the presence of an audience full of movie-watchers who are not being obnoxious.

It’s an adrenaline rush that keeps delivering and keeps you wanting more.

Did you see “The Dark Knight Rises” yet?  What did you think of it?