The Dark Knight Rises TDKR Reviews/Reactions (SPOILERS/Read At Your Own Risk) (NO DISCUSSION!)

[Ajendo]

This film redefined movie-making in general IMO. Can you compare it to other comic book movies? Well yes because that's what they are, comic book movies but Nolan went into the batman saga to not only repair the cinematic damage caused by Schumacker but he went in there with a real focus and vision that matched the best of the source material and in various cases even surpassed it. BB and TDK fulfilled their successful 1-2 quota, which some films have done before but in this case, not only was it a comic book movie, it was batman who and I stress was coming off the heels of the Val Kilmer and George Clooney debacles and Nolan crafted these movies with a style and tone that surpassed the lateral thinkings and cliched additions of what to expect from the genre.

So, the third outing is here and Nolan doesn't hold back, he goes in, continuing the style and tone he established with his previous bat entries and takes us on a journey that asks more from the audience to invest their attention. The movie is packed with action, drama and an emotional theme rarely seen if at all in these types of action movies. There's a scene between Bruce and Alfred that really encourages the tear ducts to fill up. This film is just too much, too much awesomeness. The fight between batman and bane was just wow. You could feel every punch and kick and much like many other scenes and the film itself, it had an impact that no other comic book movies gas delivered. I'm a Marvel Fanboy but I'm a fan if the genre in general but truth be told, when DC fanboys, batman fanboys or Nolanites brag on about how Nolan's take on batman us the best thing since the creation of the vagina, wether you agree or disagree, their claims are not without merit. Nolan established, maintained and surpassed his own creative standards with TDKR and wether it's good or bad, I think Nolan's decision to just do 3 movies and call it a day was a wise choice. Would I love to see more of Nolan's batman? Yes effin please! But at the same time he has crafted 3 films that will forever be regarded as not only unique but one if the rare exceptions of a series of movies living upto and surpassing it's own hype and receiving critical and financial success.

Rises is a real game changer and has set a new standard which in all honesty, within the genre will be incredibly hard to live upto let alone top. Thus far, the Avengers is the biggest movie of the year and the most successful movie of it's genre but it has nowhere bear the level of pinache that Nolan's batman films have and maybe it's not meant to, the same with a few other comic book movies but I will concede that today, on terms of quality. And overall dexterity as filmic art, today is the day that 2008's TDK has been topped.

I'll be seeing this movie again for the 2nd time in about 2 hours and talk about specific thongs within the movie but right now, I'm just overwhelmed and excited with this masterpiece of a movie to really talk about specifics, plus im typing all this up from my bloody iPhone. Ultimately batman is back, he comes to terms with what he needs to do and he's surrounded by a host of various supporting characters that are never a hindrance to the film. Well done, Nolan and well done DC. This is a proud moment for all comic book fans.

 

[Jesta86]

hey guys a thought just popped into my head as i watched a scene in the film.

[BLACKOUT]If you have seen the film you will remember the courtroom scene with the cameo appearance from dr jonathan crane aka screcrow, i really loved this scene but once i started to reflect upon the film later on i started to feel like it didn't suit the scarecrow very much and started to think it would have suited the joker alot more just wondering if people think perhaps this scene was intended for the joker but because heaths death they had to change it and give the role to the scarecrow? probably not but i would have loved to have seen the joker in that scene [/BLACKOUT]

 

[DeaDheaD]

yup I agree with that. Batman does "save" the city in a way in that he is the first link in that chain.

you assume that it WILL get better, just not in Bruce's lifetime. for example Blake doesn't believe hiding behind a mask and as demonstrated with those kids, he's more of a leader and an open person.

maybe his techniques as Robin (nightwing) moves the chain forward in a way that Bruce with his issues could not.

Exactly, the hospital scenes are a sobering reminder that Bruce is not super-human. When the lie is exposed and Gotham devolves back to what it was before Batman Begins. I believe then that Bruce realizes he was mistaken about putting one giant band-aid over Gotham's problems. Batman doesn't just belong to Bruce, it belongs to Gotham to help keep the city above water.

Nolan has filled this trilogy with a lot of trial and error. Its actually refreshing to see the mistakes these characters have made.

That said, it was a beautiful trilogy that seems more than just a superhero franchise, could Nolan have done better...sure...but I think this is about as close as we are gonna get.

 

[The Sage]

I can't believe Nolan gave what he did to those of who were looking forward to this movie for 4 years!!! I felt the same disgust I had when I watched Spider-man 3 again - it was nowhere near as bad as that, but we all came to expect much better from Nolan.
One plot hole, when Gordon etc. where walking on thin ice and Batman shows up, he chooses to light the flare on the ice?? And there were so many WTF moments I had even upon watching this once that I'm afraid to see it again... And to this day after seeing Batman Begins and TDK countless times I still get amazed at how much they crammed in those movies that was just mind-blowing.... took the day off to see this again on Imax in a couple hrs... but the JGL ending was the biggest F U to those of us who believed that Bruce Wayne's journey would end on a high note - he could have just been a skinny beat cop instead of being trained by Ra's al Ghul etc., travelling the world for almost a decade, and going through hell with the Joker... Gah this movie took a big giant dump in my brain last night. I hope it improves as I watch it more.
I did of course love the score, the scale of the movie was impressive on every level, and the acting was top notch, but the plot wasn't there for me after the first screening...

I really don't see how the JGL ending took a crap on anything. It alluded to him possibly being Batman's successor, not that he would become Batman or be as good as Bruce was. If he did went down that path, we have no idea to how Blake would've prepared himself.


On another note,
One of the cool messages throughout the series is that anyone can be hero, not just a person behind the mask. Gordon, Blake, Bruce, Harvey before his fall. It really plays into how Nolan has mentioned that Batman is just a really driven human being with no superpowers.

 

[DeaDheaD]

I want to add that the emotion and continuity in this franchise is staggering...well done Nolan, well done

 

[NigelHalsey]

who the F were Alfred's sources about Bane and the League??

I believe Alfred's backstory was that he worked as some sort of 'political facilitator' working for the crown back in the day. Hence his contacts.

And why did the cops let Bane and his men languish in the sewers for months without doing a thing about it after they attempted to kill the police commissioner especially??? Gah!

They didn't act on Gordon's report about Bane's army underneath Gotham (Which is a bit odd considering that he is the police commissioner). Remember Blake saying,"They (Gotham higher ups) asked him (Gordon) if he also saw a giant Lizard(?) down there." Which is a bit odd considering that he is the police commissioner. Meaning they chose to ignore Gordon's story.

 

[Motown Marvel]

Everyone in my theater laughed at Talia's death performance, ha ha.

 

[Yurka]

As someone who is no fan of JGL or the Robin character in any capacity, the immediate ending tarnished much of my love for the franchise, sadly.

 

[The Sage]

Everyone in my theater laughed at Talia's death performance, ha ha.

Mine did too, lol.

 

[NigelHalsey]

Everyone in my theater laughed at Talia's death performance, ha ha.

Oh it was baaad. Cottilard must've been cringing in her seat at the premiere.

 

[allthatswag]

This is the first movie that ever got me into tears for quite a long time.

 

[Ajendo]

Everyone in my theater laughed at Talia's death performance, ha ha.

Yeah her death scene was pretty bad IMO almost comical.

 

[munchie64]

I don't even remember it, so it can't have been that bad.

 

[Denver]

I really don't see how the JGL ending took a crap on anything. It alluded to him possibly being Batman's successor, not that he would become Batman or be as good as Bruce was. If he did went down that path, we have no idea to how Blake would've prepared himself.


On another note,
One of the cool messages throughout the series is that anyone can be hero, not just a person behind the mask. Gordon, Blake, Bruce, Harvey before his fall. It really plays into how Nolan has mentioned that Batman is just a really driven human being with no superpowers.

No no, I'm not hating on JGL - but we had no vested interest in seeing him take up Batman's mantle - this was Bruce Wayne and Alfred's journey so it should have ended with them.
And on the note of Robin - did you see how he swung into the cave??? Did Bruce fumble into the cave in BB?? That's how you knew he was trained and ready.

This is my personal opinion only - I loved the Daggert plot, but it ended too quickly and the movie dumbed itself down incredibly after that until the last 15 minutes, and the last scene (after only one viewing) left me cold. I did however love the scene with Alfred and Bruce, because as a fan of those character I was invested enough to want to know that they have survived this journey and have moved onto a better place.
As for JGL - couldn't care less.

 

[The_Joker_hahah]

Just had a bit of time to think about the movie and i haveto say, i just loved Bane's voice. The accent was pretty sweet too. I think Hardy did a great job with that. One particular scene that really got me was

Spoiler

When one of the Board members says "where is that masked"..And all of a sudden, Bane appears "Speak of the devil and he shall appear" When the particular board member is yelling at him, and Bane says "Just because you paid me, makes you think you have power over me?" At that moment, i just realised how huge and menacing Bane looks in the movie, and how little that man looked standing infront of him as he trembled with fear. Totally awesome! t:

 

[Sharkboy]

Loved it, was already becoming one of my favourite films of all time, but the last 15 minutes propelled it very near to the top. Massive kudos to Nolan for taking an ending that i absolutely hated (people on the board who know me can attest to this) and turning me complete 180 on it and nailing it perfectly with fantastic execution from Zimmer, Nolan and god damn Michael Caine, him bawling at the end finally got me choked up.

As for comparisons to the dark knight, i saw it immediately before TDKR in IMAX, and you couldn't have any two different films, the only thing they really have in common is that they star Batman, in terms of tone, mood, story structure and thematic elements they are wildly different, just how you can't compare Jason Vorhees to Alex DeLarge you really cannot compare Bane to Joker. Dark knight definitely has it beat in terms of a perfect structure and a slightly better plot, but TDKR is overall the better acted film, combine that with it's epic scale action sequences and it's intense level of emotion, you have an entirely different masterpiece on your hands which is nearly as hard to weigh against each other as Raiders of the Lost Ark and Empire Strikes Back are. Two very different, very great masterpieces.

Oh and i don't want to be "that" guy, and i don't mean to devalue anyones viewing experience, but IMAX was really the only way anyone should view this film, it's just a whole different experience after seeing it both ways now, IMAX adds an entirely new level of appreciation to the film that sadly many will never get to witness.

 

[Steyin]

I'll be gone for the weekend, so I'll write my full review when I'm back, but I think I agree for the most part JMC's view. This film was predictable, felt rushed and not very well edited for its length (more so because there was just too much to be put into it), and a lot of things just didn't sit right with me.

Overall, it was much more entertaining than TDK, but I still place BB at the top. Some of the characters were disappointing, and the ending/last 30 minutes just turned me off to the film overall.

I'd say its a 7/10 from me, but full review to come Sunday night.

 

[The_Joker_hahah]

No no, I'm not hating on JGL - but we had no vested interest in seeing him take up Batman's mantle - this was Bruce Wayne and Alfred's journey so it should have ended with them.
And on the note of Robin - did you see how he swung into the cave??? Did Bruce fumble into the cave in BB?? That's how you knew he was trained and ready.

This is my personal opinion only - I loved the Daggert plot, but it ended too quickly and the movie dumbed itself down incredibly after that until the last 15 minutes, and the last scene (after only one viewing) left me cold. I did however love the scene with Alfred and Bruce, because as a fan of those character I was invested enough to want to know that they have survived this journey and have moved onto a better place.
As for JGL - couldn't care less.

I dont see how JGL ruined anything at all. His acting was spot on, and Batman needed someone fresh to leave an impression on him.

Spoiler

Essentially, Bruce and Alfred's story is done now. Bruce is old and injured, he deserves to rest and enjoy the rest of his life with someone he loves. It wouldnt hurt to settle down with a hottie like Selina! I think the end was just perfect. And JGL is not supposed to swing into the cave with grace. He has absolutely no training, but one thing he does have is a good soul and pure determination, like Bruce. This is the most ive enjoyed any movie since TDK forsure

 

[BuddhaWasABat]

Loved it, was already becoming one of my favourite films of all time, but the last 15 minutes propelled it very near to the top. Massive kudos to Nolan for taking an ending that i absolutely hated (people on the board who know me can attest to this) and turning me complete 180 on it and nailing it perfectly with fantastic execution from Zimmer, Nolan and god damn Michael Caine, him bawling at the end finally got me choked up.

As for comparisons to the dark knight, i saw it immediately before TDKR in IMAX, and you couldn't have any two different films, the only thing they really have in common is that they star Batman, in terms of tone, mood, story structure and thematic elements they are wildly different, just how you can't compare Jason Vorhees to Alex DeLarge you really cannot compare Bane to Joker. Dark knight definitely has it beat in terms of a perfect structure and a slightly better plot, but TDKR is overall the better acted film, combine that with it's epic scale action sequences and it's intense level of emotion, you have an entirely different masterpiece on your hands which is nearly as hard to weigh against each other as Raiders of the Lost Ark and Empire Strikes Back are. Two very different, very great masterpieces.

Oh and i don't want to be "that" guy, and i don't mean to devalue anyones viewing experience, but IMAX was really the only way anyone should view this film, it's just a whole different experience after seeing it both ways now, IMAX adds an entirely new level of appreciation to the film that sadly many will never get to witness.

With all of this mixed reaction seeing your review makes me feel so much better! Glad you enjoyed it man!!!

 

[Eros]

Loved the movie! Not as poignant as THE dark knight, mostly because no joker or Two Face. I really liked Bane, his as kicking of batman was pure brutality,his death was rather lazy writing though, Catwoman was amazing to.

 

[dreamliner]

I can't believe what I'm gonna say but I'm very dissapointed with TDKR. Worst of the trilogy. Best is The Dark Knight, second Batman Begins and third TDKR. Technically is perfect 10/10, but as a whole movie I give it a 6/10.

 

[allthatswag]

I like how the "Cat Woman" name was kept to a minimum. It added to her stealthiness of her profession as a robber.

 

[RadioSha]

I just want to say...

Bane was Darth Vader

 

[Troy_Parker]

So, JGL was Robin :P... I will scream like a little girl if a Batman Beyond-esque movie is revealed in a few years, starring JGL. Even though that won't happen.

 

[silentrascal]

So, JGL was Robin :P... I will scream like a little girl if a Batman Beyond-esque movie is revealed in a few years, starring JGL. Even though that won't happen.

Not Robin in the sense of "Batman & Robin", just Robin as in that was his given name.