The Case for Rising Dark

The third film in Christopher Nolan’s Batman reign, the Dark Knight Rises, is a long one.  And, unlike the Avengers, this film is definitely not for kids – yes, the use of the word Dark does describe its nature.

Eight years after the Joker, Gotham is a quieter place thanks to harsh criminal sentencing laws.  Batman is almost just a memory, having retired taking the blame for Harvey Dent’s death.  On the surface, the city seems prosperous.  But a darkness is coming…


And it comes in the form of some pretty awesome thesps.  Christian Bale does the brooding Batman/Bruce well by now, though Michael Caine seems on the verge of hysteria in his appearances as the faithful Butler Alfred.  Gary Oldman is back again as well, though this time the main policing action belongs to the ever awesome Joseph Gordon-Levitt, taking a break from playing Cobra Commander to be a bit less maniacal as a beat cop.  Physical chameleon Tom Hardy takes on the broad shoulders of Bane (and has to wear a funny mask as well), and Anne Hathaway does a magnificent job as a sleek and sassy version of Catwoman, though Marion Cottillard takes the looker winnings as Bruce Wayne’s love interest.  And I am sure I spotted one of my Aussie faves, Ben Mendelsshon as the zero chinned Daggett.

The star wattage keeps the film glowing throughout its impressive 2.5 hour running time.  That is not to say that there isn’t any fat – there are many slowly paced scenes that mainly seek to ratchet up the tension but on occasion seem to drag a bit.  But overall, with Hardy’s assured menace and Wayne rediscovering his interventionist feet, the whole thing chugs along quite nicely, with many an exciting scene where the Bat’s marvellous toys get a good explosive workout, and where our hero ends up in some pretty perilous situations.


Pity then that, on reflection, the story doesn’t make a great deal of sense.  I am not really a follower of the comics, so I wasn’t sure how strictly the Bane storyline was followed, but while the film tries to tie up – or at least connect to – ends from other films, it does not do such a good job of explain quite why Batman leaves it until the very last moment to save Gotham, though still takes the time to paint several buildings with Bat images (hopefully, that does not give a lot away).

Nonetheless, despite the plotholes, the story itself is exciting (if long) and the Embassy audience seemed stunned and entertained – though the booming bass may have also induced a stunned reaction, as it certainly deadened my ears to some of the dialogue.  But, at the end of the film, despite the little niggles, I have to say I was totally entertained.  


Is this really the last?  In a way, I doubt it, but I am uncertain what form a sequel might take, and quite who would don the Bat outfit.


Verdict:  Things get beat up and explode, as do people.  The cartoony action has an action comic edge.  The Dark Knight Rises is a more mature superhero for an older audience, though not necessarily one concerned with logic.  And the cast is superb.  8.5 batarangs out of 10.