I felt it was predictable as well. We've all basically unraveled the story on these boards. Though I still liked what was done with the story, especially how they handled Bane (which was a surprise just as much as his death) and [BLACKOUT]Robin Blake[/BLACKOUT]. I'm not disappointed in this film, though it's not my favorite. Batman Begins is still my favorite.
For me the films are too different to compare.
Batman Begins has the origin of Bruce, and retains a certain innocence.
The Dark Knight has a world where Bruce loses control of things and can't impose his will upon. And Bruce is all about control.
The Dark Knight Rises is a real hero's journey and the ultimate triumph against adversity with Bruce facing an enemy who is ultimately better than him. It's only when he learns to rely on others around him does he manage to achieve what would be otherwise impossible.
Like he said to Blake - 'You've given me an army' - and he was right in some way. This time more than ever, he had Gordon, Blake and Selina to help. Without them, he would have failed. The symbol of the Batman brought them together.
Again, I think real rock climbers have risked death even with a rope on much harder climbs than that. It just didn't feel like a big trial over much time. And countless others weren't the goddamn Batman...even if he was injured coming in.
Put it this way, it was verbalized (like so many things) that it was supposed to seem almost easy, but in reality be so difficult as t break a man's spirit.....
....but the movie didn't really make it feel that way. You need more time and devotion in a story to build that kind of symbolism and the feeling of time beating down on you. This movie tried to weave too many things together that it ended up short-changing each element. Everything basically felt a bit too abbreviated.
Look at this way.
a) Bruce just got his ass handed to him. In spirit and body.
b) His city is burning and he has no way to save it.
c) He's potentially trapped in the prison forever.
d) Even if he does escape, he could get pounded down again by Bane.
Whether he's a good rock climber or not, put those issues into someone's brain and whether his body is ready or not is really irrelevant.
Imagine whilst he's making that jump that all things weigh him down and he misses. Then what? That's the fear, alongside the fear of death, that drove him.
A normal rock climber, let's be honest, would not have the strength of character to overcome everything. No offense to any rock climbers out there.
Bruce's greatest power, is his strength of will. Not his body, not his ability to outsmart people, but his own personal indomitable resolve.
But I agree, stuff did feel abbreviated. My issue personally is that there was too much exposition. An extra half hour of showing and not telling would've fixed that. There was too much 'This is Miranda Tate, she's a philanthropist.' 'This is peace time now, honestly.'
Nevertheless, the symbolism was there. Nolan if nothing else, is great at hammering home the point. And hammer it home he did. Batman is a symbol. Everlasting and incorruptible.
I agree. But it doesn't take away from the movie being insanely well done.
