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Spoiler FreeGOTHAM CITY — Batman fans have been speculating, hypothesizing and starting rumors for the last four years about the final entry in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy. The film is about to open and questions will be answered.
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As soon as I saw "The Dark Knight Rises" everyone I spoke to asked me the same question immediately, "Is it as good as ‘The Dark Knight'?"
I have been deliberating this for days and now that I have had time to digest the nearly three hour film I finally have an answer. Yes, it is as good as "The Dark Knight" and here are five reasons why.
Size
"The Dark Knight" was an assault on the mind and the senses, and "The Dark Knight Rises" is an all out raid. The film is massive and grander than any other Batman film, Nolan's or anyone else's. The story is huge, the set pieces are massive and the overall grandeur of the film is of epic proportions.
It's clear that the massive success of "The Dark Knight" and "Inception" awarded Nolan free reign on this film. At times that freedom can almost be detrimental to the film, but whenever it seems to experience a speed- wobble, Nolan reins it in and brings the film back into balance.
Everything in this film is bigger; this doesn't make it a better film than "The Dark Knight," however. The "Batman Begins" sequel didn't call for the enormity the conclusion does, but the way the enormity is played out in the finale puts it on par with "The Dark Knight."
Anne Hathaway
When Heath Ledger was cast as The Joker I must admit I was disappointed. I did not think he fit the role and I was more than skeptical that he could pull it off.
How wrong I was.
Ledger turned in one of the greatest performances of his generation. It is heart breaking the actor was taken from us so soon, but we're grateful he was able to show us his incredible talent before then.
Ledger's performance has reminded me to stay my tongue on casting decisions until I have an opportunity to see the actor in action. My initial response to Anne Hathaway's casting was not favorable. But I reminded myself that I needed to give her a chance and I am so glad I did.
I am not putting her performance on the same level as Ledger's, but she adequately surprised me. She brought the sexiness we've come to expect from Catwoman, but she also brought a heart and bad-bummery (that's a KSL appropriate word) we've hoped for.
I found myself waiting for her to come back on screen and pulling for her even when I should have been hoping for her demise.
Bane
Christopher Nolan has painted intense, and in a way, beautiful portraits with his Batman villains. Ra's Al Ghul and The Joker both captured our attention and imposed a threat to Batman and Gotham. Bane is a new level of villain and possibly the most worthy opponent Batman has faced.
The Joker just wanted to "watch the world burn." There was no method to his madness other than chaos. He did not want money or power; he was an agent of chaos. Bane, on the other hand, is calculated, precise and terrifying.
Bane is a physical presence who more than rivals Batman. He seems to be the product of pure evil and will stop at nothing to reach his goal that he so fully believes in. Throughout the film you wonder how Batman can possibly defeat such a force, both physically and mentally.
Bane will no longer be known as the bumbling oaf we came to know in 1997's "Batman & Robin" but rather as the smart, cunning, unforgiving and brutal foe to the Dark Knight.
Moral Conflict
Christopher Nolan has always focused on the story as much as he has the visuals on his films. He shows the moral conflict that man faces, "Memento," "The Prestige," "Batman Begins," "The Dark Knight" and "Inception" all portrayed engrossing moral conflict. The final Batman film is no exception, but the moral conflict seems to be lifted to a new level.
The questions Bruce Wayne seems to be faced with in this film are not necessarily between right and wrong, but between good and better. Nolan places the audience in the shoes of the caped crusader and causes them to question how they would act. Even Wayne's moral compass, Alfred, seems to be at odds with what the best choice will ultimately be.
Moral conflict is a staple in Nolan's catalogue, but it is almost its own character in "The Dark Knight Rises."
The End
In 2005's "Batman Begins" Christopher Nolan started us on a journey and ever since audiences have been wondering how it would end. Nolan said he and fellow writer David S. Goyer had a very specific ending in mind when they made "Batman Begins" and that the ending in "The Dark Knight Rises" is exactly what they had envisioned.
The ending that has been orchestrated for Bruce Wayne and Batman is brilliant. It is exactly the ending the trilogy needed. Wrapping up something as grand as Batman and all his complexities sounds all but impossible, but Nolan and his team have found a way to execute it in a beautiful way.
I dare not write any more on the subject for fear of letting something out that could ruin anything for those who have not seen it, but the final 15 minutes of the film will leave you breathless, speechless and satisfied.
There are five reasons "The Dark knight Rises" is as good as its immediate predecessor "The Dark Knight." Have you seen the film? Do you agree or am I way off? If you haven't seen the film are you excited to check it out? Let me know on the comment boards and on Facebook.
