The Dark Knight Rises A very positive review from a guy who hated the first 2 films

[circa1981]

I'm actually very surprised to be writing a review for a Nolan Batman film, especially a very positive one. I'm one of maybe 5 people who thought Nolan got Batman completely wrong, the same way people feel Schumacher did. I've hated the first 2 of his trilogy, especially TDK, but for Rises, I feel that Nolan finally, ironically, considering people didn't really like rises, got Batman right.
This is the only film where I bought Bale as both Bruce Wayne and Batman, which has been my biggest complaint for this series. In this film, I see Batman, not Bale/Wayne dressing up as him. For comparison, Michael Keaton has been and continues to be my favorite, and, in my eyes, the most loyal iteration of Batman compared to the comics. But here, Bale comes close. For the first time I buy his torment and his damaged psyche. And he just LOOKS like Batman here, like he's not pretending to be anymore; he finally sold me in this film.
I also, again ironically, considerig this films criticisms, feel that Nolan finally got the story and dialog right here. This is the first film where the story made sense and flowed, and the characters spoke like real people. Bane's plan made total sense to me, and at no time was I lost in the plot, something I can't say for the first 2. This just feels like a Batman film. So, in sumation, with this, and only this film, Nolan's made a believer in me. 4 stars for The Dark Knight Rises.

 

[JackWhite]

Troll or for reals? Most people either love the first two and hate the third. Or love the first and last film. But your post is something else. Very, very interesting.

 

[serb7]

I wonder what made Bale more believable as Batman in this one compared to Batman Begins?

 

[JackWhite]

I wonder what made Bale more believable as Batman in this one compared to Batman Begins?

Indeed. I mean, I've loved him throughout the entire trilogy, but overall Bale gets the most props as Bruce in BB and TDKR.

 

[circa1981]

No troll, I'm being completely honest.

 

[Fudgie]

This makes sense to moi since Rises is nothing like the first two flicks. If ya don't like them then ya stand more of a chance to like Rises. It ain't a patch on the first two flicks though.

 

[BuddhaWasABat]

I happen to love all 3... I'm glad you finally enjoyed a Nolan Bat film, though.

 

[TheIrishAvenger]

You hate TDK? Ok...

 

[DACrowe]

Um, okay?

I would say most people liked the third (though only a small portion loved it). The hate is mostly from the fan community that didn't like the direction Nolan took the series. I personally like all three.

I also find it odd this is the one you buy Bale as Batman in, because he spends the least amount of time in the costume in this one. Really, the second Nolan film is the only Batman movie where he spends the majority of his screentime in costume. It actually is the first time I forgot he was wearing a costume.

 

[circa1981]

I just think Bale and the writers managed to finally make the character work here.

 

[Mace Dolex]

Um, okay?

I would say most people liked the third (though only a small portion loved it). The hate is mostly from the fan community that didn't like the direction Nolan took the series. I personally like all three.

Of course those who hated the film will not be satisfied with anything done to Batman, personally for me I loved the entire trilogy, I think of it as an Elseworlds tale of Batman which is why I've accepted WB wanting the next Bat-film to be a reboot/remake/whatever.

 

[Liam_H]

Or it could be those that disliked it thought it was a pretty flawed film.

 

[Anno_Domini]

I'm actually very surprised to be writing a review for a Nolan Batman film, especially a very positive one. I'm one of maybe 5 people who thought Nolan got Batman completely wrong, the same way people feel Schumacher did. I've hated the first 2 of his trilogy, especially TDK, but for Rises, I feel that Nolan finally, ironically, considering people didn't really like rises, got Batman right.
This is the only film where I bought Bale as both Bruce Wayne and Batman, which has been my biggest complaint for this series. In this film, I see Batman, not Bale/Wayne dressing up as him. For comparison, Michael Keaton has been and continues to be my favorite, and, in my eyes, the most loyal iteration of Batman compared to the comics. But here, Bale comes close. For the first time I buy his torment and his damaged psyche. And he just LOOKS like Batman here, like he's not pretending to be anymore; he finally sold me in this film.
I also, again ironically, considerig this films criticisms, feel that Nolan finally got the story and dialog right here. This is the first film where the story made sense and flowed, and the characters spoke like real people. Bane's plan made total sense to me, and at no time was I lost in the plot, something I can't say for the first 2. This just feels like a Batman film. So, in sumation, with this, and only this film, Nolan's made a believer in me. 4 stars for The Dark Knight Rises.

Hey, if you like TDKR, then awesome.

Very weird and yet ironic post, though, lol. Usually you think it's the other way around when you visit this part of the forums.

 

[redfirebird2008]

Um, okay?

I would say most people liked the third (though only a small portion loved it).

Gonna have to disagree with your comment in bold. How did it get an "A" Cinemascore and end up with far better legs at the box office than a typical superhero movie if only a small portion of its audience loved the film?

 

[DACrowe]

By love I mean that while the GA and most fans, myself included, truly liked the movie, there is not this groundswell of support to see it nominated for Best Picture or to see Tom Hardy win an Oscar for it or people generally--somewhat crazily--claiming it is the best movie of all time. To me, TDK was beloved. TDKR is more thoroughly liked.

But the fan community? They're turning on it quicker and quicker now. In a month, it will be as reviled as Spider-Man 3 and X3 (though it is far better than both) and they'll be throwing Nolan in the dustpan in 2013 while salivating for the new shiny reboot toy on the horizon. It's the circle of life.

 

[redfirebird2008]

By love I mean that while the GA and most fans, myself included, truly liked the movie, there is not this groundswell of support to see it nominated for Best Picture or to see Tom Hardy win an Oscar for it or people generally--somewhat crazily--claiming it is the best movie of all time. To me, TDK was beloved. TDKR is more thoroughly liked.

But the fan community? They're turning on it quicker and quicker now. In a month, it will be as reviled as Spider-Man 3 and X3 (though it is far better than both) and they'll be throwing Nolan in the dustpan in 2013 while salivating for the new shiny reboot toy on the horizon. It's the circle of life.

I'm sure they will. I'm looking forward to the next version of Batman but I will continue enjoying the Burton and Nolan movies for the rest of my life. Screw the revisionist haters.

 

[DACrowe]

Yep, same here.

 

[BatLobster]

I'm sure they will. I'm looking forward to the next version of Batman but I will continue enjoying the Burton and Nolan movies for the rest of my life. Screw the revisionist haters.

Here, here

 

[Agent Orange]

By love I mean that while the GA and most fans, myself included, truly liked the movie, there is not this groundswell of support to see it nominated for Best Picture or to see Tom Hardy win an Oscar for it or people generally--somewhat crazily--claiming it is the best movie of all time. To me, TDK was beloved. TDKR is more thoroughly liked.

But the fan community? They're turning on it quicker and quicker now. In a month, it will be as reviled as Spider-Man 3 and X3 (though it is far better than both) and they'll be throwing Nolan in the dustpan in 2013 while salivating for the new shiny reboot toy on the horizon. It's the circle of life.

The fan community is absurd. The whiny fan community and general movie goers loathed Spider-Man 3 and X3. Rises fared much, much better when it came out in July and unlike the aforementioned pieces of garbage it continues to have a good reputation amongst film fans in general. It also seems to poised to make several Top Ten of 2012 lists with Richard Corliss and Peter Travers' lists being the first two ranking it 5 and 10 respectively.

 

[Doc Samson]

I definitely think Bale gave his best performance in TDKR, I agree with that 110%. Like I've said before, the first scene of Batman returning felt like the most complete Batman vision in this whole trilogy, or at least, what my preference is.

That elemental, ghost-like quality, but more than that, he seems regal in a sense. The suit, the two vehicles, the way he turns the lights out before we see him, how he upends the biker and ropes the hostage. In BB, he was more ferocious, more in your face. Here, he was just...The Batman. It just felt like that...

 

[JackWhite]

I definitely think Bale gave his best performance in TDKR, I agree with that 110%. Like I've said before, the first scene of Batman returning felt like the most complete Batman vision in this whole trilogy, or at least, what my preference is.

That elemental, ghost-like quality, but more than that, he seems regal in a sense. The suit, the two vehicles, the way he turns the lights out before we see him, how he upends the biker and ropes the hostage. In BB, he was more ferocious, more in your face. Here, he was just...The Batman. It just felt like that...

The way he pauses for a few seconds to look around; taking it all in as the cops begin to swarm in on him - I just love that! It's like Bruce is thinking to himself "Yeah, I'm still a pretty big deal. I've got this."

 

[Mace Dolex]

That elemental, ghost-like quality, but more than that, he seems regal in a sense. The suit, the two vehicles, the way he turns the lights out before we see him, how he upends the biker and ropes the hostage. In BB, he was more ferocious, more in your face. Here, he was just...The Batman. It just felt like that...

I like the way you put it here, that's what I like about Nolan's Batman it's as if he were an urban myth like a phantom of sorts especially since he was always referred to as The Batman.

 

[DACrowe]

The way he pauses for a few seconds to look around; taking it all in as the cops begin to swarm in on him - I just love that! It's like Bruce is thinking to himself "Yeah, I'm still a pretty big deal. I've got this."

Yeah, I took from that he's thinking, "Really? I just did your job and you're coming after me like this? Okay, we'll see about that."

A great little moment, in my opinion.

 

[DACrowe]

The way he pauses for a few seconds to look around; taking it all in as the cops begin to swarm in on him - I just love that! It's like Bruce is thinking to himself "Yeah, I'm still a pretty big deal. I've got this."

Yeah, I took from that he's thinking, "Really? I just did your job and you're coming after me like this? Okay, we'll see about that."

A great little moment, in my opinion.

 

[Brain Damage]

I'm really divided by that moment. On one hand, it's the most badass Bale has looked as Batman in ANY of the movies, I nearly wet myself the first time I saw it. It was quite literally a glimpse of the Batman I've always wanted to see - rough, hardened, acting meticulously and not taking **** from anyone. In that brief moment, Batman is perfect.

But on the other hand, when I thought about it, that moment isn't really earned by the film. It's Bruce's first night back in the cowl in eight years, not him being a veteran of many years to whom every step of being Batman has become practically mundane.

But nevertheless, maybe the moment is "cheating" a bit, but it's still one of my favorites in the whole trilogy