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The Dark Knight Rises Review

by Marlon Crump (marliniumn [at] yahoo.com)
Movie review of "The Dark Knight Rises." Picture credited to cure4.devianart.com
800_the_dark_knight_rises_fire_by_cure4-d328uyi.jpg
I dedicate my following review of The Dark Knight Rises to the fallen victims of the massacre at the movie theater in Aurora, Colorado that occurred on July 20, 2012. Your pain is shared, and your lives will always be remembered by those who knew and loved you the most. May your spirits rest in a place where peace is your eternal shelter.



"A hero can be anyone. Even a man doing something as simple, and reassuring as putting a coat around a little boy's shoulder's to let him know that the world hasn't ended."
Batman to Commissioner Gordon.

In my opinion, whether shared by many movie goers or not, Christopher Nolan rocks, rules, and reigns as the most detailed, articulate, and well-scripted fictional filmmaker, in Hollywood history!

The Dark Knight Rises is the final epic conclusion to the Batman film series, directed by Nolan. His previous Batman films were Batman Begins, and The Dark Knight, which was a major worldwide box office hit. Actor Christian Bale (Bruce Wayne/Batman) delivered his most prolific performance yet, in his portrayal of one of the world's most famous fictional superheros. A superhero we're all too familiar with since his creation in 1939, by the late Bob Kane.

The whole point of Batman is that anyone can be Batman

Whether we see him in the comics, cartoons, T.V. or the movies, he seldom escapes our eyes. The man in the deep, dark well-detailed costume shaped in form of a human bat. Well-equipped, with unique weaponry. Well-trained in mind, body, and even soul in hand-to hand combat. Self-invented with no superhuman powers.

Driven with an undying desire to rid his city of the criminal element, once and for all. A dark symbol of hope and justice. The Dark Knight Rises delivered all the categories expected, in an edge on your seat featured- type film full of surprises, and an astonishing ending.

The energy from its opening theme music immediately ignited excitement, of anticipation in my mind. My eyes stayed glued to the screen throughout each scene.

The setting of Gotham City is eight years later after the events from the previous film, where Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman) gives a eulogy address in the anniversary of the late District Attorney, Harvey Dent, and his heroic acts against the criminal empire. For the sake of the citizens, and protection of the prosecutions, Gordon chose not reveal the crimes Dent later committed to everyone in attendance. (Batman later became the fall guy and is now a wanted fugitive.)

Flashbacks from the previous Nolan Batman films were featured throughout the film. Some of the storyline seemed to reference events occurring, from a political perspective we currently see in society: Occupy movements, Wall Street crashes, homelessness, and unheard of unforgettable uprisings against the "established order." There's even a scene of chaos where the cops clash with "recently released" convicts, in revolutionary fashion.

I'm necessary evil!

All of the above orchestrated by Gotham's newest villain, Bane (Tom Hardy) a big brutal behemoth, with a purpose to destroy the city and its dark protector, once and for all.

Manipulating the many minds of the impoverished, and its incarcerated to "take control of their city" following his destruction of an entire football field, after the National Anthem was sung by a little boy.

The Batman must come back!

Seeing a slightly aged, bearded, and nearly immobile Bruce Wayne living in exile in his own mansion from the rest of the world was interesting. His butler and best friend, Alfred (Michael Cain) tries to convince him to lead a normal life, and give up his alter ego forever. However, when Commissioner Gordon is hospitalized by Bane's men is when Wayne gets
back in shape, then dons his cape and cowl once again.

There's a storm coming, Mr. Wayne. You and your friends better batten down the hatches, because when it hits, you're all gonna wonder how you ever thought you could live so large and leave so little for the rest of us.

His romantic encounters, both as Bruce Wayne and Batman, with Selina Kyle, a.k.a Catwoman (Anne Hathaway) a professional thief, and reluctant member of Bane's gang consists of passion, betrayal, an allegiance, and love later down the line.....literally.

Going from being a billionaire to being broke as Bruce Wayne, then later to be brutally
beaten and broken by Bane became the ultimate test to his very spirit. Aided by the homeless in a pit prison, Wayne rehabs his own resolve, then regains his strength to return to save his city from what is now a "No Man's Land."

Seeing Batman battle criminals in broad daylight was pretty exciting considering he primarily appears at night. It really showed the seriousness of the situation.

Proving to be Gotham's greatest protector, and hero Batman, by means of a highly advanced aircraft designed by his employee Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) flies a nuclear made bomb into the ocean far away from the city, racing against time. I slightly felt silent shock waves and heart pounding in this atmosphere, from the many in attendance to what happens next.

An explosion occurs, in a great distance away. As it appears, the Dark Knight had just made the ultimate sacrifice.

Or did he?

Let's just say Batman had to meet his end......so that Bruce Wayne could finally begin to live a normal life. A possible "Boy Wonder" (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) may even emerge to take up the mantle.

I'd give The Dark Knight Rises a THREE thumbs up if I had them!
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