This epic action-packed adventure is a stunning conclusion to director Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy.
You'll be happy to know that nothing is left by the wayside as the hugely successful franchise ends with a spectacular finale. Nolan, who wrote the screenplay with his brother Jonathan, links together many characters and components from the two previous films, tying up any loose ends.
It has been eight years since Batman vanished, taking the blame for the death of D.A. Harvey Dent. Still scarred by the loss of not only his parents as a child but also the love of his life, Batman's Bruce Wayne wants nothing to do with his beloved Gotham City. Fortunately the city is enduring a period of peace and prosperity as a result of his heroic sacrifices.
For a time criminal activity in Gotham City is crushed under the weight of the anti-crime Dent Act. This is of course, until the arrival of a cunning cat burglar with a mysterious agenda.
Suprisingly to me, Anne Hathawa is very impressive as wisecracking jewel thief Selina Kyle (aka Catwoman) in her skin-tight latex suit.
Far more dangerous however, is the emergence of the main villain, masked terrorist Bane. His ruthless plans for Gotham drives Bruce out of his self-imposed exile.
However, even if he dons the batsuit again, will he be able to beat Bane and restore Gotham to goodness?
Tom Hardy, as Bane, had some very big shoes to fill by following Heath Ledger's Oscar-winning role in The Dark Knight, but bulked up and hidden behind a metal mask, he is hypnotising.
It's great to see the return of some of our favourite characters such as Michael Caine as Alfred the butler, Gary Oldman as Commissioner Gordon and Morgan Freeman as the gadgets man Lucius Fox.
Caine, in particular, is magnificent as Batman's "surrogate" father who is greatly distressed at the site of Bruce Wayne falling apart.
The new faces are just as impressive. Oscar-winner Marion Cotillard shines as potential love interest Miranda Tate. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is equally effective as an starry-eyed young cop and Aussie Ben Mendelsohn pops in, in a small but prime role as a despicable corporate commando.
Both Nolan and Bale say its their final hurrah in the Batman world, and if so, it's a more than appropriate send-off. However, it will remain to be seen whether they can really put a final lid on a box office spectacular like The Dark Knight!
The Dark Knight Rises is in cinemas now.
http://www.thedarkknightrises.com/
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