The Dark Knight Rises

Despite the tragedy in Colorado concerning the newest Batman movie, I wanted to write about my experience when I went to see it. I understand that it may be a touchy subject, and as always, wish no grieving family member any disrespect. All of us at SQ are keeping the ones that were lost in our hearts and minds, but are forging ahead with our reviews and thoughts. Please enjoy!

The movie opens with an almost bewildering scene: we meet Bane for the first time as he hijacks a plan (which isn’t apparent at first) and makes it looks as if an important nuclear physicist has died in the subsequent crash – except he doesn’t. Which proves key to Bane’s next move.

Wayne Enterprises owns the world’s first functional fusion reactor – it’s meant to power clean energy, but Bane uses his kidnapped scientist to turn that into a bomb – and with it, he’ll ruin Gotham city. Aided by a certain femme fatale, of course!

Alfred is particularly moving in this film – we understand, feel, and empathize with his hurt when we believe Bruce Wayne (the always wonderful and sexy Christian Bale) is dead. Instead, he’s off traipsing around with Catwoman (played by Anne Hathaway), and we meet Robin for the very first time (Officer Blake). There is very much a promise of another movie, and this film definitely leaves you wanting more!

One thing I really enjoyed about The Dark Knight Rises was the battle between Bane’s thugs and the liberated police officers. I leaned over to my friend and whispered, “In most action movies, you know, Transformers, the like…there’s (insert barely intelligible “booms” and “pows”)…Effects, you know.” And it’s true: the scene depicts this rabble of miscreants and thugs trying to overpower the police force, and there isn’t a lot of gunfire. Instead, there’s loads of hand-to-hand combat, and it had a distinctive medieval, Crusades-type feel to it. You felt the intensity of the battle more because it was so realistic, rather than punctuated by fireworks, “booms” and “bangs.”

The characterization in the movie is particularly good. I loved seeing Bale lean on his cane as a result of his former battles, watching him crave getting back into the game, and listening to him tell Catwoman, “There’s more to you than that.” In turn, Alfred is a particularly wise old man full of emotion and loyalty to the Batman. Catwoman herself develops quite a bit when she realizes that the world Bane creates out of Gotham isn’t what she had imagined – it’s a rough, rowdy, thieves’ paradise full of vigilante justice and terror. She’s just looking for a clean slate, a new start. She’s tired of thieving and wants to start anew.

One interesting thing in the film is when Wayne and Alfred are watching clips of Bane breaking into the New York Stock Exchange. Alfred is warning Bruce of the dangers he presents, saying, “I see belief,” meaning Bane isn’t fighting for money or power. He’s fighting for a cause, something unusual for a petty criminal – but it’s what makes him such a formidable opponent. Bruce just has to overcome his own inner turmoil and find more determination that Bane has just to overcome him – but it’s a wonderful aspect of the plot and gives so much more depth than many common comic book crossovers.

I suggest you all go to see The Dark Knight Rises; it’s a film for anyone above the age of, say, thirteen – below that and it’s a bit too dark. Some parts are hard to watch – Bruce’s back is hurt quite badly, and as we watch him being hurt, you squint, writhe, and cringe.

The movie is truly wonderful, and I know some of us out there are reminded of Heath Ledger and the talent we lost after he was gone – consider this a continuation of the spirit of him, of the spirit of Batman, and of the spirit of justice.

Have a wonderful week.