Dir: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Michael
Caine, Anne Hathaway, Morgan Freeman
Plot: Eight years have gone by after the
events of the “The Dark Knight” (2008), Batman has disappeared being blamed for
the crimes and death of “Gotham’s Savior”, Harvey Dent. With a period of
apparent peace numbing the city’s ability to react, Gotham falls under the
attacks of Bane, a “law enforcer” carrying out the mission of the League of
Shadows, requiring the Dark Knight to rise once again.
“The truth and nothing
but the truth”: The concept of “zeitgeist” is tossed
around so lightheartedly these days that its meaning and the examples that are
assumed to be encompassed by it lose their relevance. However, a clear example
of a work of art that captures the gist of the present is “The Dark Knight
Rises”. A far superior superhero movie with the depth and relevance, only
achieved by a restricted number of movies, regardless of the genre.
The movie deals, among other aspects, with the
current financial crisis (well…duh) and the ultimate effects of the capitalist
system (with the levels of subtlety used in the analysis varying throughout the move). But instead of providing a totally biased
portrayal of the “evils of the western civilization” and greed, Nolan showed
the other side of the coin by representing the downside of the exact opposite
ideological point, a “Dictatorship of the proletariat” if you will, in a
sequence that resembles the excesses committed by the people during the Russian
revolution, and thus displaying a chance of redemption and catharsis for
society as we know it (thumbs up for Capitalism!). Nolan’s overall study of the
effects of “Social Darwinism” and the corruption associated to it, while a
constant throughout his saga, take a completely different turn in this entry.
The enemy, or rival if you will, presented on
this entry is far different from both Dr. Jonathan Crane (a.k.a The Scarecrow)
and the Joker, two villains who enforced the mind and ideals over physic
strength, and ultimately couldn’t be eliminated (the ending of “The Dark Knight”
left the Joker alive, and Dr. Crane continues to roam around Gotham) and thus
representing the notion that all the evil seems to live forever (Yes, the song “Only
the Good Die Young” by Iron Maiden just came to mind). Anyways, Bane is the
first villain who combines the two types of aforementioned strengths: the
belief on an ideal (no matter how distorted the notions associated to said
ideal are) and physical power, a threat that didn’t menaced Batman in the
previous movies.
Tom Hardy delivers a believable performance (No
comparisons to “Batman & Robin” nor Heath Ledger’s Joker should ever be
made) albeit not one free from criticism (and surprisingly enough not all came
from Republicans [
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505270_162-57474527/batman-and-politics-the-bane-bain-name-game/ ]): from his dictation being incomprehensible to
his pose that mirrors a folk dancer or a really smug villain holding his
suspenders. I for one tend to compare Tom Hardy’s Bane in some specific moments,
such as his speech at the stadium, to Sean Connery’s campy character in “The
Avengers” (1997) (no…not that one).
For all it’s worth, Hardy manages to transform Bane
into a human like character, with the ability to display weakness and emotions
and (SPOILER!) that ultimately can be eliminated as opposed to the previous
villains (END SPOILER!)
The supporting cast is strong and consistent
with Oldman’s Commissioner Gordon and Freeman’s Lucius Fox taking the spotlight
from Caine’s Alfred. Alfred’s absence in a considerable portion of the movie
contributes to the increase of the significance and impact of his character and
also allows the viewer to ultimately experience the dependence relationship
that exists between him and Bruce Wayne.
The scene stealer is of course Anne Hathaway’s
Selina Kyle/ Catwoman, the perfect counterpart to Bruce Wayne/Batman and a more
than optimal “replacement” for Rachel. While I have to admit that I had
reservations towards how Hathaway would handle a role that was near-perfected
by Michelle Pfeiffer in “Batman Returns” (1992), but she managed to handle the
task combining sexy and tough in a way only Pfeiffer could.
Marion Cotillard’s Miranda Tate, at first, just
seems to tag along and fulfilling her purpose to the story and while comic book
fans surely saw the twist coming from miles away, I for one was pleasantly surprised
as the character revealed its true significance.
Bale gives a great performance and truly
captures the essence of wounded hero. His recluse version of Bruce Wayne is, in
many ways reminiscent of the eccentric millionaire Howard Hughes (Nolan
had always planned to do a biopic about him but after Scorsese’s “The Aviator”
(2004) the idea was dropped). He really matured as an actor, settling the
ancient doubt I had about him when I first saw “American Psycho” (2000): is he
really a good actor or the fact that the character he’s playing, Patrick
Bateman, happens to encompass the traits of his acting: wooden and aloof?
While the excessive hype may have endangered
it’s potential success, the movie is by all means a masterpiece. I address the
criticisms, mainly fuelled by misguided expectations and safely state that it
was never Nolan’s intention to surpass the previous entry. Each movie is
simultaneously linked with the remaining parts of the saga and an independent
movie with its individual and unique message, allowing the story not only to
move forward but also to come full circle. And there lies the beauty of Nolan’s
saga.
Focusing on the on-going “The Dark Knight” vs.
“The Dark Knight Rises” comparisons, such analysis is futile and the viewers
who expect a carbon copy of former with a different villain will be disappointed.
For me, like its predecessor, this movie required
a second viewing and along with all of his prior works cement Nolan as the best
director currently working. A must-see. Let’s hope his contribution to the
Superman reboot “Man of Steel” (2013) yields such a satisfying outcome.
“Money-Shot”: The whole movie is the money shot, but the final
wrapping up sequence is worth of mention, simply because it will be the last
time we will see it for the first time.
Bottom-Line: 10/10. It’s more than a blockbuster. It’s an event. I urge
anyone to watch this epic in a movie theater and give it without reservations
the exact same grade I gave “The Dark Knight”. The best movie of the year, so
far.
But of course, this is just my opinion, I could
be wrong…
