Go grab a cup of coffee, or your dinner, or whatever. Find a comfy seat, this is going to be long.
I've recently finished watching The Dark Knight Rises, after months of waiting. Originally, I went to see it opening night, but some gene pool misfit ruined the night by spraying beer everywhere and talking during the movie. Anywho...
There is nothing short of excellent film making and story telling here. Sure, you can poke holes in plots and continuity, but this is just a movie. You can't tell me that the comic books had any plot holes, either. But back to the movie. Christopher Nolan created a well-known story and delivered a movie trilogy that will rival Star Wars, and possibly The Godfather (#3 notwithstanding).
Spoiler alert- I may talk about the ending... scratch that, I will talk about the ending.
Why is this trilogy so good? Didn't The Avengers make more money? Wasn't that such an amazing movie? Yes, The Avengers was a tremendous movie in it's own right. Nolan's Batman Trilogy is a different type of movie- it's not an action-packed, ADD-infused, squeal-inducing cinematic story. The Batman is a dark, quiet beast of a story. It's taken three movies for Nolan to answer the big questions and tell an interesting story.
Let's start with Batman Begins, the start. We get the standard Bruce Wayne story. We get a villain that has a history with the hero. The supporting characters are established, and ones that have been ignored in previous Batman movies. Commissioner Gordon, Lucius Fox are introduced as pivotal characters. The audience is allowed a chance to learn who Bruce Wayne/Batman is, and why he fights. And he defeats the villain and establishes strong ties with Gordon.
Next is The Dark Knight, where we learn what Batman can and can't do. And at what lengths he will go to to capture the villain. Batman also deals with loss, both in his love life and his alter-ego. Here's one of the biggest issues with Batman- he's human. There's no super power he can pull from. He has his physicality and intelligence. Eventually one will go before the other. That issue has to be dealt with.
The Dark Knight unfortunately will be known for the death of Heath Ledger, who's Joker character has been widely regarded as one of the best villain portrayal. The movie, all by itself, stands alone as a great movie.
And now comes the conclusion: The Dark Knight Rises. The title is not about Batman returning. It's about The Dark Knight- what Batman represents. He gets his hands dirty. He circumvents the laws and injustice to be that vigilante needs to get down to the criminal's level. And in this epic final chapter, Bruce Wayne is able to rise above his own pain and passion to add positive balance to the world. He rises to choose a successor, which is a daunting idea. How do you select someone to take up the dangerous mantle of The Batman? To fight injustice, to become secret and alone?
The successor is known in the movie. And Bruce Wayne still lives, able to train and mentor from afar. The close of the movie provides an insight into the future sequels that can be unending: Wayne Manor as a home for orphaned boys. Not unlike Xavier's School for the Gifted Youth. Perfect.
Batman will endure. He will continue his fight against evil. And he will be forever.
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