Review: The Dark Knight Rises (Spoiler-Free!)
It’s finally here PoP!ulation. The final chapter of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy will come to theaters tonight at midnight. But ‘Best PoP! Duo 2013′ nominees Tito & Mahoney have already seen it. Did they fix Batman’s voice? Is Catwoman awesome? Can you understand anything Bane says? We won’t answer all of your questions, but we will give you our spoiler-free thoughts on the film. And, when you’re done here, go ahead and leave the internet until you see it.
Perhaps the biggest hurdle for The Dark Knight Rises is the inevitable comparisons to two of the greatest comic book movies of all time, The Dark Knight and The Avengers. This film is definitely not the comedic, action packed, ride that The Avengers was, and instead carries over much of the emotional overtones from The Dark Knight. This film is emotionally exhausting. With Tito raring to go for another showing on Sunday, the more sensitive Mahoney isn’t sure when he’ll be ready to experience this again.
There were scenes in The Dark Knight Rises that were INCREDIBLE. There were scenes that were groan inducingly bad. There were hidden Easter Eggs throughout for comic fans – look for a certain Catwoman comic book cover to make an appearance, as well as a new member of Gotham’s finest. Unfortunately, go ahead and ready yourself for another appearance by Christian Bale‘s Batman voice. C’mon son.
It seems that Christopher Nolan has better ears than the rest of us, because a noticeable portion of the voice audio was difficult to hear. At least for Mahoney, but he may be going deaf. This includes Tom Hardy’s Bane. There may be some of you left out there who are hesitant about Bane. You can relax. Despite sounding like Goldmember and dressing ridiculously, Bane was enjoyable. To the surprise of no one familiar with Tom Hardy, he brought a high level of intensity to nearly all of his scenes. No one will replace Heath Ledger’s Joker, but Bane and his army bring a new level of threat to Gotham. With a threat this large, The Dark Knight Rises doesn’t play like your typical comic book movie, and feels more like a screen adaptation of a summer crossover. Which gives Mahoney a fantastic idea for the next trilogy…
The multitude of characters introduced by The Dark Knight Rises was one of it’s strengths, and Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman is the crown jewel. While neither of us are Spazzy-level fans (but, c’mon, who is?), Hathaway’s interactions with Batman, as well as her take on the character in whole, seemed spot on. Maybe, just maybe, there’s a kick ass fight scene with Batman and Catwoman partnering up to take down a collection of thugs that will make you squeal when you see it. Maybe. That’s all we’ll say. It’s unfortunate that Nolan is insistent that he’s finished with this universe, as a solo Catwoman film would be awesome. Another bright spot was Joseph Gordan Levitt’s character, who did excellent playing off Commissioner Gordon, and fit surprisingly well as a normal man in a superhero world.
Overall, The Dark Knight Rises is a strong addition to the trilogy, and cements this trilogy as one of the best trilogies ever. We strongly recommend you make the time to see the film this weekend, before the angry mob that is the internet starts picking it apart. (Looking at you, Kerouac.)
I… actually have plans to see it twice. Impressive, I know, as I don’t even REALLY care about seeing it once.
I don’t think you know what impressive means
Anything after the credits?
Not at the screening we were at.
I was going to ask the same question, but y’know what? STAY THROUGH THE CREDITS ANYHOW. For Nolan.
^ this
I stay through the credits of every movie I go to now, whether I know there to be an extra scene or not. I do this because be it a good or bad film, people worked their ass off on that movie and 99% of them are neither the Director, Producer, nor Actors.
I guess I will have to go by myself this weekend since Dan is not emotionally ready. Thanks for stealing my date night Tito
Lisa thank you for giving me a few hours of “Mahoney time”
YESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHO GIVES A SHIT IF YOU SIT THROUGH CREDITS? It doesn’t effect people who worked on the film to sort of read their names as they scroll past. It’s not like you can recally any of them ten minutes later. lol I really don’t get this, and if I ever get to make films I’m leading an anti credit crusade. lol. I will get that shit taken off. (jk. Sorta)
And uh, Batman.
Come on, Matt…be reasonable….
…you won’t ever get to make films.
lol. you’re probably right
“The Dark Knight Rises is a strong addition to the trilogy, and cements this trilogy as one of the best trilogies ever.” – #Fact
Loved it. The beginning was alittle slow as it put all the pieces in place, but soon turned into a rollercoaster of awesome.
These 3 films have ruined comic movies for me. I pity the fool who has to reboot the franchise
Meh, I thought it was okay… Theres a HUGE plot-hole, and they kinda basterdized Bane again, not to mention a HUGE cop-out right at the end. Just when I think one tremendous event happens, Nolan slaps me in my face with his dick and says “NOPE!”. Ugh…
Did you expect Bane to get all Hulked out on venom? That would fly against everything Nolan has done in the series. He has tried to ground the characters. Notice how Selina wasn’t brought back by a bunch of cats licking her.
What is this plot hole everyone keeps hinting at? Put your cards on the table or GTFO.
The closest thing to a plot hole I can think of and the one gripe I have from a storytelling standpoint is how in the hell did a penniless Bruce Wayne get from India back to the blockaded Gotham City overnight. Otherwise, I can’t think of anything.
And you know… nuclear fallout.
It’s more sloppy writing than a plot hole, but I wasn’t big on Gordon not only failing to destroy his speech after he decided not to make it, but apparently carrying it around with him everywhere afterwards.
Have you never put on a coat you hadn’t worn in a while and found something you forgot about? He jammed it in his coat pocket, and then it was found by Bane….a day later? And why would he destroy it? He still planned to make it at some point….right THEN just wasn’t the right time.
I hated Catwoman, she was too much of a egotistical bitch. we have no backstory for her so we don’t know why she’s catwoman. She never gets beat up or suffer humiliation or much remorse, like she just goes through the motions.
in the end, how the hell is robin going to be batman with no training, no equipment and no costume? All he has is a bat poop filled cave!