The Dark Knight Rises

Worthy

“The Dark Knight Rises” by Ivette Fred-Rivera The film industry, like the city museums, have taken the task of making art in NY to revitalize the city after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. They have succeeded, the city is as vibrant as ever, and this film shows paradoxically its endurance with other attacks that do not destroy Gotham, thanks to Batman, of course! The aerial vehicle of Batman seems an ufo over the city. The camera movements makes it to simulate a bat. Excellent. The sound track too. Although Bane (Tom Hardy) announced at the beginning that what matters is his plan, it is unclear what the ‘revolutionary’ plan is. Much less is understood that he is a necessary evil. How can a revolution take place when no one knows where it goes.

Good, but not great, conclusion to Batman trilogy

The Dark Knight has lots going for it, including terrific performances and some thrilling, large-scale action scenes. But the story is confusing and there are many things that transpire without rhyme or reason. And while I appreciated the political angle to the story, it would have been even more interesting if the Occupiers/Bane's Army truly were the heroes fighting against the evil one percenters. Instead, it is clear who the hero is. The series earns its epic finale, only to ruin it with a light touch at the end. Certainly worth seeing, but nowhere near as compelling as The Dark Knight.

Dark, but brighter in the End

The thing I like most about this latest Batman trilogy is that it is NOT cartoonish or silly. THe last of the triology is appropriately serious and dark, and more for adults than the kiddies. I like that. I wish the Star Wars franchise had gone down that road, and fully explored the concepts of space, the Force, and Jedi's instead of becoming a toy store. This movie is, as others have noted, a bit too long and bit lacking in organization and lacking needed Batman presence, but it tells a good story and has a compelling ending. A definate "see."

Batman Ends? Unlikely ...

'Batman Begins' brought political depths to the comic-hero screen genre: Gotham City in darkness and despair, alleys swarming with vermin (human and rodent), criminals swamping streets awash with awaiting to be cleansed by 'our' hero. No longer simply 'ordinary' man confronts wickedness, converts to plastic 'super' man, faces-down villain, reconverts to 'ordinary'. 'The Dark Knight Rises' puts politics at the centre, as did its predecessors. And here, its female characters do more than decorate:Hathaway and Cotillard match wickedness and wit(humour-Hathaway, busines acumen-Cotillard), agility of body (Hathaway) and brain (Cotillard). Lengthy, at times unwieldy-of-editing - but a worthy end. And if a Dark Knight can rise, Batman surely must.

Long, but worthy

I finally got around to seeing this one...and if you haven't seen it yet because of all the hoopla, go ahead and do so. Despite its unwieldy length, incoherent editing, and having a main character wearing a face mask so you can't understand a thing he says, the end of the movie makes up for the first two hours or so. It's an uplifting message of law and order over the OWS rabble, and nicely leaves open the potential for future follow-ons. THere's a lot to nitpick here, but you go home happy.

THE THIRD IS NOT THE CHARM

I went to this 3rd installment of the Dark Knight series expecting something at least approaching the 2nd one, which succeeded on almost all creative storytelling and audience pleasing levels. But no. This wrap-up failed on so many levels I'm still in shock. And few critics who know better have been willing to do their job on Christopher Nolan's lousy writing and direction this time, the worst he's ever done: Not much visceral action, not much Batman flying or otherwise, ridiculous plot points like the city of cops trapped underground and the kids-on-the-bus escape sequence. But mostly incredibly weak acting portraits exemplified by the one from Marion Cotillard. And the Evil One in a couple ludicrous fist-fights with Batman as the climax.

see the movie...then read the reviews

I totally enjoyed this movie because I love the genre, but there is plenty to be critical in Nolan's work. The fight sequences between Batman and Bane could have been choreographed by a 5th grader with no experience. It's Batman for god's sake. He has tools, toys and the cape. The weenie boxing by a bad guy whose eyes couldn't act his way out of a hollywood mask..well..that was Sean Connery's voice behind that electronic voice box wasn't it? The beautiful Anne Hathaway will never match Julie Neumar in the catwoman leathers. Still, this movie had plenty of dark action to keep us fans happy to the end and awaiting the sequel. Face it, we're a built in audience that loves to be surprised.

Favorite of the Year

If you like action/fiction movies that are loud, well written, acted and directed - then go see it. Loved all the sub-plots and twists. Ranks up their with my recent favorite action flicks Casino Royale, and Star Trek.

8 out of 10

Liked the movie a lot. I'm not a big Ann Hathaway fan but thought she did a very believable job, kind of like Hitgirl in "Kickass" all grown up.Seeing a picture of Tom Hardy (Bane) on IMDB really surprised me.

Skip the Post Review

Anne Hornaday's review is silly and irrelevant at the same time. Hey Anne, how much of a bonus did you get for weaving political references into a movie review? Yeah, I thought so. As a service to Post readers, you might try focusing on the merits of the movie next time around. For instance, a serious reviewer might have said that 'Dark Knight Rises' is both thrilling and confusing. It takes on big philosophical ideas but doesn't quite resolve them. It's a superhero movie for grown-ups: and, in aiming for the audience on an intellectual level, leaves them somewhat frustrated. See the film--you be the judge. It's worth your time.

Dark Knight sets

I thought the comic book was better -- more originality, more intellectual heft, but perhaps as good as Hollywood could make it.

she should be fired.

To give away the ending without warning is trolling, not reviewing.

Inspiration for madness

This meaningless and infantile film full of empty dialogue , big name actors, superficial idiocy ahas inspired the sort of violence it's prequel did with the overrated performance of Heath Ledger leading to a horrid tragedy. Chris Nolan your film making is mediocre and gratuitous in violence and special effects. Now one can truly say that Australian actors are the "kiss of death" for film.

Inspiration for madness

This meaningless and infantile film full of empty dialogue , big name actors, superficial idiocy ahas inspired the sort of violence it's prequel did with the overrated performance of Heath Ledger leading to a horrid tragedy. Chris Nolan your film making is mediocre and gratuitous in violence and special effects.

the guilt of hollywood

The violence we are witnessing iin todays culture is the result of the brutality and lack of responsibility that Hollywood demonstrates in the garbage and filth they produce as so called entertainment. Young and impressionable minds are bombarded by this violence masquerading as entertainment .Hollywood must take responsibility for the detioration of our society.

Dark Knight Rises!

From beginning to end, a great story line, lots of action and surprises! I loved it! This movie is a must see!

Tedskins1 I feel your pain!

Tedskins1: You are absolutely right. We who buy The Washington Post and read it online are not safe to read Ann Hornaday's reviews, as she gives the spoiler, without telling us it's coming. Where art though, Stephen Hunter? I miss you.

A review a reader can loathe

Ann Hornaday's review of the “The Dark Knight Rises” ends on a self-important note (merely giving away the very key to the ending, since she's simply incapable of restraining her self-righteousness) that would be insufferable if she hadn’t so clearly not earned it. In addition to giving fans far more than their fair share of information, she has literally helped make film reviews unsafe for loyal, unsuspecting readers, resulting not in a great review but denigrating the form. But, see, she is just so terribly wise, and has to demonstrate this fact to the Great Unwashed she deigns to write for, even as it diminishes their experience in the theater. She gave away the ending. Who do I sue?

Geesh, Ann!

I'm going to stop reading your reviews, before I go see a movie. You write the spoiler, without saying it's coming. Also, what does a movie have to be to get 4 stars? The L.A. Times gave this movie a much better review than you did. You are harder on movies than either The New York Times or the L.A. Times. I'm going to start reading other reviewers and stop reading your reviews; you're a curmudgeon.

v

i hope their are many of v jokes

Flip sake Ann!

Why can critics not review a film without spoiling it! Thanks a lot Ann for giving away the ending, well done...

Did Ann

give away the ending??