The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Final instalment in director Christopher Nolan's much lauded Batman trilogy. The expectations for this were huge, and after an incredible second entry with The Dark Knight I had my doubts weather Nolan could pull this off, but he succeeded. It is often the case with superhero trilogies where the second outing is the strongest, like in the X-Men or Sam Rami's Spider-Man movies, but  The Dark Knight Rises is an excellent culmination of all that came before and is the first time I am aware of in which a Batman saga is actually given a proper ending.

The events of the Aura Colorado theater shooting can not be ignored, certainly the shooter drew inspiration from the previous film and this film has plenty of disturbing imagery of its own, and should not be viewed by young children, like some who were in the theater that night. However the violence in the film is not a celebration, its meant to terrify. Nolan has credited Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities as a source of inspiration for the plot of the film, and its nightmare scenario of class warfare has relevance in the current economic/political climate. There is a depth to Nolan's film making that feels unusual for such a commercially successful director, the Wachowski's aspired to depth in an ironically surfacy way, but I think its Chris Nolan who actually reaches it.

The Dark Knight Rises is a very exciting film that plays with political, philosophical, and just plan dramatic ideas in an interesting way, it follows through on much of what was introduced in the previous two films. This is a movie that actually takes into account the physical and psychological impact of being Batman in a fairly realistic manner. It continues to pound home the apocalyptic, city on the brink motif that was present throughout the last two films. It examines the tenuousness of contemporary civilisation, it explores moral complexities and internal conflicts, but also highlights moral absolutes and self sacrifice. This movie takes us to a dark place, but also tells us why its important to go there, and though its the most wish fulfilment part of the movie, that yes there can be something good on the other side. The Dark Knight Rises is a film to both be experienced and contemplated, and surely the standout of the summer. ****