Review: THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

So finally here it is; the epic conclusion to Christopher Nolan’s Batman re-imaging delivers both an incredibly good movie and a well rounded third part for a trilogy that has been all about deconstructing the hero myth. Usually, the third part of a trilogy - or any extended franchise - tends to be an underwhelming mess, as if no one knew where to take the story or what to do with the characters. Whether or not Nolan had a plan since the beginning is hard to tell, but The Dark Knight Rises could convince me that he did. Nolan tells a long coherent story across three films; amazingly all three films  could work by themselves, but together they form an almost perfect three-act opera.

Introducing: THE BAT

The Dark Knight Rises: An Ominous Disappointment

Here: TDKR trailer

Okay. I’m saying it now. We got some problems.

Years ago, as a big fan of “Batman Begins,” I had to stem my excitement for “The Dark Knight.” I had to keep my expectations low, even though after the teaser and trailer, I knew that TDK was going to be something special. It was actually exhausting to not get carried away. And afterwards? I wanted no more sequels. I felt Nolan’s Batman had run its phenomenal course and that the two films balanced each other just fine. Adding a third film would be gratuitous or, at best, an imbalance. This was like Terminator, not Star Wars. Two can be better than three.

On Reboots and Why Warner/DC Should Not Try to Copy Marvel.

            Earlier this week it was confirmed in the LA Times that THE DARK KNIGHT RISES will be the final chapter in Nolan’s adaptation of the Batman story. I can understand why many fans are very displeased with this decision; Nolan’s vision of Batman is so epic we all want more of it. However there are a few advantages to this. First and foremost, The Dark Knight was so overwhelmingly awesome that there is no way any subsequent sequel will ever meet expectations. It might still be really good, but it won’t be The Dark Knight. Secondly it is the first time a definitive end has been announced for any superhero helmed by a single director, so it is going to be very interesting seeing some closure. Yes, Raimi’s Spiderman had an ending and he helmed all three. But, lets face it, those were not Raimi films in the same sense the Dark Knight is a Nolan film and there had been talks of making a fourth fifth and sixth installment with or without Raimi afterwards. Ultimately Marvel chose to reboot the Spiderman franchise so it can tie it to its new Avengers assembly of movies. Warner/DC has announced its intentions to reboot the Batman franchise after The Dark Knight Rises so it can tie it in to a series of films that will lead to a Justice League movie in a few years. Monkey see monkey do.