(No spoilers here)
After four years of waiting, I finally saw
The Dark Knight Rises (2012) Midnight premiere - I was blown away. As I exited the theater, I felt I needed to see it again as soon as possible. All day there was only one thing I could think of: The Dark Knight Rises.
The Dark Knight Rises (2012) Again - I was blown away. Again. That's right, I saw it for a second time last night. Never before have a bought two tickets for the same movie on one day. (Back in 08 I saw Indy 4 twice, back-to-back, but I snuck into the second showing. Yes I liked it - though to tell you the truth the only reason why I saw it again was because I didn't have a ride until approx. two hours after the first one let out. Just deal with it.) Anyways the reason why I saw it again was because when I came out from the midnight one, I was as aching to see it again as I was to see it the first time. And even now I still want to watch it again as soon as possible. Yes, it's that good. As to where it ranks in terms of the trilogy and Nolan films overall, it's still hard to say. Part of me feels like it isn't as great a film as TDK and Inception, but the other part of me feels like it might be, and even if it's not, it sill might be my favorite. It's that good. And yet, while I know it's not the best film ever made, for some reason my urge to re-watch is greatest I've ever had (barring the OT which I watched over and over again in my younger years). I believe this is simply because of it's size. This film is an epic, in every sense of the word. Batman Begins was an action film, The Dark Knight was a crime thriller, The Dark Knight Rises is an epic. There are so many characters, so many plot points, so many set pieces, so many emotional beats. There is a lot there. This is a good thing. Repeat viewings are rewarding. In fact I think I might have loved it more the second time than the first. It's just such a fitting end for the trilogy. I love when things come full circle and this did just that. As a lifelong Batman fan it was nice to see my favorite super-hero have an interpretation that had a definitive beginning and ending. Bruce Wayne's character arc in this was done perfectly. So was the arc for John Blake (JGL's role). Anne Hathaway really surprised me here, and I thought she did a great job. I loved Tom Hardy as Bane - not just his interesting voice/verbal acting but his physical acting to was top-notch, and in fact the stand-out aspect of his performance in my opinion. He's not Heath Ledger's Joker, but boy is he something. The real highlight of the film, though, acting-wise, is Michael Caine. Simply incredible, especially considering he has (probably) less screentime than the other top-billed actors. Okay, now I think it might seem like I'm ranting a bit, so I'll wrap things up. If anyone would like a short, spoiler free review from me, here it is: The Dark Knight Rises succeeds. Acting all around is top-notch. The story is exceptional. The action is intense. The film features all the great character building from Batman Begins and the complex moral questions from The Dark Knight (it in some ways "answers" the questions raised there and at the same time explores even more). There are two aspects of the film that are the most outstanding. One is the emotion, something the others films had little of. The other is conclusiveness. Trust me, you will not be disappointed with the ending. I emphatically recommend you see this film. 10/10
Next up: IMAX!