Written by: Jonathan Nolan, Christopher Nolan, David S. Goyer (based on the comics by Bob Kane)
Starring: Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anne Hathaway, Marion Cotillard, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine
Genre: Action/Adventure/Drama
Certificate: 12A
Release Year: 2012
This film has made such an impact, and it came out so long ago, that it's a miracle we haven't got round to reviewing it yet. But we've finally seen it, and it's brilliant.
The Dark Knight Rises is the final film in Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy. It takes place 8 years after the events of The Dark Knight and starts with Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) as a recluse. Gotham has entered a crime-free golden age, and it seems the caped crusader is no longer needed. But then a mysterious masked figure known as Bane (Tom Hardy) arrives in Gotham, intent on reeking havoc on the city.
With this being Nolan's final Batman, there was alot of hype, and alot more people skeptical as to whether it could live up to the standards of it's predecessors. But never fear! It more than does, and provides one of the most complex and creative superhero films to date.
Normally I would pick out a particular actor who did particularly well, but in this incredibly talented cast this is nearly impossible. Christian Bale was fantastic as always, and Tom Hardy played a wonderfully unsettling villain, especially considering the standard set in the previous film by the late Heath Ledger. Possibly the biggest surprise was Anne Hathaway. With credits to her name such as The Princess Diaries, she didn't seem the obvious choice to play the seductive Selina Kyle. But her performance was very impressive and fresh. I'm running out of superlatives.
As to be expected from a Nolan film, the plot was complicated enough to keep the audience intrigued and excited, but doesn't overly confuse them. Excellently written, and brilliant cinematography.
Overall, epic. Don't miss it.
10/10
Tom :)
