The Dark Knight Rises is the conclusion of the Christopher Nolan-Christian Bale Batman franchise. With that in mind, they definitely had to go big with the final movie in the trilogy.

It's safe to say the Dark Knight trilogy is the best of the Batman movies, some of the best superhero movies, and even some of the best all around movies of all time. If you don't agree with those statements, then you probably won't enjoy the rest of this review.

I think the underlying theme of this series is to answer the question: why do we fall?
This movie takes place eight years after the last film, in which Batman has been in hiding (since he is Gotham's vigilante/Harvey Dent murderer) and Bruce Wayne has become a recluse.

The safe streets of Gotham City are coming undone with the introduction of a cat burglar and a mysterious man known as Bane. Bruce Wayne must decide if he should--and even if he could--reclaim his name as Gotham's Dark Knight...a task that might prove to be back breaking without the help of others.
 
Without spoiling it for anyone who hasn't seen the movie yet, I will say that this third installment is just as good as the two previous films. Elements from Batman Begins are included like Scarecrow (Cillian Murphy) and The League of Shadows. Harvey Dent's Two-Face is a big theme in this finale as well.

I can only say that it's really hard to compete with yourself, which is what this movie has to do. Although it has beautiful action scenes, a compelling story, and pretty much everything that you would want in a movie of this stature, it's hard for you to forget about Heath Ledger and the Batman/Joker duo. So if there's any superhero movie that's better than this one, it's a movie in its own trilogy.
Tom Hardy does a fantastic job as Bane (hardly recognizable). Marion Cotillard plays her role well, Anne Hathaway is worth watching, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt will surprise you. (Might notice a lot of these characters are also in Inception).

Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Christian Bale are always a joy to watch in this series. You see the maturity in all of their characters.

So why do we fall? You'll have to see the movie to find out if Batman learns to pick himself up.

My rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
Have you seen The Dark Knight Rises? If so, what did you think?
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