Okay I'll try to avoid major spoilers as much as I can but to really produce a good review, one needs to often times touch the sacred "spoiler" grounds. But I'll tread carefully.
Soooo, Christopher Nolan has once again proven himself to be a great director with the way he produces the last chapter of his "Batman" trilogy. Rather than do the usual style that I do, allow me to just list down and explain all the things that are worth noting from this film.
Anne Hathaway
Seeing Anne Hathaway as catburglar Selina Kyle in this film was definitely a good thing. Not only is she eye-candy onscreen, she kicks ass and blasts baddies like they were just yesterday's paper.
Some might say that her acting here in this film was "just ok" or so-so but I actually found her character very appealing. I mean in a movie who's main character is a man with a gravelly voice dressed like a bat, having a sloppy cat burglar with a heart is something that's a good opposite. That and the fact that she really does look hot in her leather costume.
Another great thing about the Nolan-verse Batman is the fact that nowhere in the movie is she called "Catwoman". She's just referred to Selina most of the time.
Joseph Gordon Levitt - John Blake
Probably one of the more tricky characters that have been included in the movie was Gordon Levitt's John Blake. A police officer who believes in the innocence of the Batman and at the same time strives to become a fore for good in his own, simple way.
I liked the addition of Blake's character gives us the "everyman" character. A character who tries to make the better of things no matter how bad the situation becomes. He's also an important character especially towards the ending when things go from bad to worse and worse to better.
The BAT
Ok, I was apprehensive when they first previewed Batman's new ride dubbed by Morgan Freeman as "The Bat" and yes it does come in black. But seeing this in action in glorious IMAX is definitely a spectacle to behold. I could easily say that all The Bat scenes where astounding even if they lasted for like a few minutes.
In terms of evolution I totally get that they wanted to go for a faster machine as opposed to just having the Tumbler. In retrospect, all three Nolan movies got to show off different bat-vehicles. The coolest thing about TDKR's "The Bat' is the fact that it only got a whole lot more useful towards that much vaunted ending. In the last two films, they were never an instrument of change, they were simply a means with which Batman can go from point A to point B and nothing more.
BANE
For the final installment of Nolan's Batman story, he returns to an established plot from Batman Begins and gives it teeth. Not only does the plan have teeth, it's also got the masked man named Bane as its face. Bane's voice is creepy and at the same time annoying but pretty effective nonetheless.
We're no longer seeing a mindless brute with Venom steroids being pumped in his veins. Instead we get to see a cold and calculating villain indoctrinated in the ways of the League of Shadows. You know how I describe Bane? He's The Joker with a purpose and a mission and with a higher success rate.
I'm impressed with Hardy's performance for this movie. He really did seem to channel a nice mix of Che Guevarra together with the chaos that is the Joker and managed to do pretty well. I also like that the guy can act even with that abhorrent mask on him. Nolan did a great job of providing very little detail regarding Bane's origin (the payoff is at the end if you really want to know).
BATMAN
I'm not a fan of how things ended for Batman here in "The Dark Knight Rises" but I can certainly say that the visual look for Christian Bale in the Batman suit is really awesome. Yes the annoying "where is he" is back somewhere in the second half and yes he still speaks like he's being choked by god knows what but he still kicks some serious ass.
The new Bat-Suit looks handsome as well. It's got tubings and all those little bells and whistles that makes him more formidable. If you ever get the chance to watch this extraordinary film on IMAX, you'll definitely see every little detail for the new costume.
I also loved those small moments where Bruce Wayne uses the tech that Batman uses. Its these simple things that reminds us inventive Batman's support system is (i.e. Lucius Fox). And I really must have that EMP cannon he's been using in one of the greatest movie police chases in the franchise since Batman Begins.
NOW FOR THE MAIN EVENT!
"The Dark Knight Rises" was extravagant, epic and dramatic. You can appreciate the beauty of the film on its own but once you do a marathon of the previous films "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight" your mind will be blown. More on that later.
The visuals are engaging especially if you catch the film on IMAX. Every punch, kick and blocks actually looked better in a bigger format. Plus you get to see the Batpod and the Bat itself knock the holy hell out of the bad guys which is definitely well worth it.
In terms of drama, TDKR has got a lot of that. There's the drama unfolding between Michael Caine's Alfred Pennyworth with Bruce Wayne over his grudging return as the Batman after an 8 year absence. There's also the inner turmoil of Selina Kyle, the confusion and rise of John Blake and then there was Bane.
Believe it or not, Bane's appearance onscreen especially around the second act of the movie was great. Well it will never top Heath Ledger and his Joker performance but in terms of scope and grandness and in execution is was great.
One gripe I have with TDKR was the lack of screen time for some characters. Michael Caine seems to be absent during the second half. Marion Cotillard was also there and then not there in some parts.
Finally, the ending of TDKR will be very controversial. Some people would get it instantly while others might have to watch. Without going into too much detail I can confidently say that the ending for The Dark Knight Rises is satisfying and leaves for a few more coy openings. Oh and its definitely going to split the Internet in half with some actually happy with how things turned out while others feeling "shortchanged".
So to answer the first question - yes, TDKR did deliver!
Lol di ba same bat suit langyung ginamit niya sa The Dark Knight?
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