Movie Review: The Dark Knight Rises

Christian Bale

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Written by: Christopher and Jonathan Nolan
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Anne Hathaway, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Caine, Marion Cotillard and Morgan Freeman

It's been four years since The Dark Knight set a new standard for both summer blockbusters and comic book adaptations. It's also been four years since the late Heath Ledger created one of the cinema's most fascinating and unpredictable villains.

British director Christopher Nolan took a risk back in 2005 when he decided to reboot a tired franchise that had essentially been reduced to a box office joke. He set out to erase all mental images of "Bat nipples" (see: George Clooney) and Two-Face's purple bubblegum features (see: Tommy Lee Jones). He succeeded, with the release of Batman Begins, followed by the monstrous success of 2008's The Dark Knight. Now, with the third and final chapter of his series, Nolan sets out to appease his rabid fans and conclude his critically acclaimed trilogy on a high note. He mostly succeeds.

Set eight years after the events in the sequel, The Dark Knight Rises begins with a plea from an injured Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman) for Batman to return to his former heroic self. Since the conclusion of the last film, Bruce Wayne/Batman (Christian Bale) has become a bordering-on-Howard-Hughes recluse, prowling the grounds of Wayne Manor, with only his loyal butler, Alfred (Michael Caine), for company. After having sacrificed his reputation so that attorney-turned-sociopath Harvey Dent could remain a symbol of hope to the people of Gotham, the Bat Suit was put into retirement to collect dust. That is, until a hulking mass of anarchist muscle by the name of Bane (Tom Hardy) arrives and poses a threat to the city. Throw in a costumed jewel thief (Anne Hathaway), an earnest young cop (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and a potential love interest (Marion Cotillard) for our Caped Crusader and you've got a jam-packed plot with a large handful of characters and storylines to keep straight.

Clocking in at two hours and 45 minutes in length, the first half of the film suggests a conclusion that could potentially rise above the previous two instalments. Rises gets off to a dark and ambitious start, featuring commentary on the class system and offering glimpses of the urban terrorism that is to come at the hands of Bane. (With its distinct parallels to the recent Occupy Wall Street movement, the film presents some muddled politics, yet never delves too deeply into any sociopolitical themes).

However, as the film unfolds it becomes harder to ignore some of the more glaring plot holes (which I won't divulge here, lest I spoil the movie for someone). These goofs often detract from the action on the screen, resulting in more than a few scenes that will leave you scratching your head. 

As is to be expected with such a solid ensemble cast, each of the actors leave a strong impact in their respective roles.The always-reliable Christian Bale and Michael Caine both give moving performances, specifically in pivotal scenes their characters share together. Bale's Bruce Wayne is left jaded and broken-hearted. Even after eight years he hasn't recovered from his guilt over the death of Harvey Dent and the havoc wreaked by the Joker -- which ultimately led to the death of the love of his life. Rises features less Batman sequences and more quieter moments of a reflective Bruce, a wise decision in a film that focuses more on redemption and the ability to overcome personal tragedy.

As the only two women to appear in Rises, Anne Hathaway and Marion Cotillard do their best with what little they are given. Hathaway opts for a more subdued Catwoman, wisely moving away from the traditional purring kitten performances of the many actresses who came before her, dating back to the 1960s. In the underwritten role of Miranda Tate, a member of the Wayne Enterprises executive board, Cotillard is lovely in a small part. She still manages to leave an impact even though her character is one of Rises weakest links.

Tom Hardy

However, the two standouts are two new additions to the cast. As the eager-to-please beat cop, Joseph Gordon-Levitt's Officer John Blake is a welcome, clear-headed presence in a film filled with characters battling severe depression, bouts of rage and broken hearts. His genuine humanity and courage under fire is what Gotham needs and Gordon-Levitt's subtle performance proves memorable in a cast of many. You'll catch yourself wondering how the city ever survived before without his calm, collected ways.

Then there is Tom Hardy, a captivating actor who has bulked up for roles in the past -- most recently in 2011's Warrior but also in his explosive career-making turn in the little-seen 2008 British flick Bronson. However, it's his role as Bane that will likely put Hardy on the map. He manages to convey wrath, hatred and, ultimately, love, while buried beneath a claw-like contraption clamped over the majority of his face. His performance temporarily makes you forget Bane's murky motivations. Some may gripe that the mask robs Bane of a personality, but I think we can all agree that Bane -- a coldly calculating, machine-like terrorist -- was never going to have the same vivid insanity as the Joker.

In the end, The Dark Knight Rises tries to do too much and the second half of the film drags as a result. It's a well-executed spectacle that never quite rises to the level of The Dark Knight. It's overly plotted, with a bloated running time and chock-full of half-realized ideas. Despite this, it's still a mostly satisfying and entertaining conclusion to what has ultimately been a wildly successful model on which future comic book adaptations can model themselves after.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Movie Review: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Gary Oldman as George Smiley

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
Directed by: Tomas Alfredson
Starring: Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Ciaran Hinds, Toby Jones, Tom Hardy, Benedict Cumberbatch and John Hurt

Often, when we think of the word "spy" we associate it with the likes of James Bond. Or even Jason Bourne. Physically strong men with a knack for operating high-tech devices and bedding beautiful women. There's little sitting around because there's just too much that has to be done at various exotic locales from around the world.

But then there's George Smiley (Gary Oldman), a former intelligence agent, who is lured out of retirement by Control (John Hurt) to investigate the possibility of a Soviet double agent working within the Circus (the nickname given to the British Secret Intelligence Service, aka MI6). Based on the 1974 John Le Carre novel and adapted for the screen by scribes Bridget O'Connor and Peter Straughan, Tinker Tailor Solider Spy weaves through a labyrinthine plot that involves Soviet agents, double crossings and murder most foul. Smiley is essentially the anti-Bond. Where Bond has time to sip martinis and woo women while on the job, Smiley is meticulous and precise. He doesn't have time for fun and games. It's old-fashioned intrigue where most of the mystery is solved while sitting behind a desk and speaking in hushed tones.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Gary Oldman

The challenge of the film is that it asks its audience to watch for minute details and patiently wait for the slow reveals. With its deliberate pace, Tinker Tailor lets its narrative unravel naturally, without gun battles in the streets to keep our attention. It holds its secrets close to the chest, preferring to keep the audience in the dark for as long as it takes Smiley to reach his conclusions. The film is more grounded in realism than the majority of spy thrillers --- Tinker Tailor is your grandfather's type of espionage.

Swedish director Tomas Alfredson (who rose to fame in 2008 with his lyrical vampire drama Let the Right One In) pays close attention to period detail, from the tweed jackets to the tacky '70s office decor. Like last years Tree of Life, Alfredson's challenging film can be somewhat alienating to mainstream audiences. It purposely sets itself up as a game of chess and the plot moves about as fast as an actual game.

However, two aspects help elevate Tinker Tailor from just being brushed off: the performances and the clever script. The cast is impeccable; arguably one of the best ensembles of 2011. Led by a beautifully restrained performance from Oldman, who give a master class in subtle acting, there's also a whose-who of British talent on display. The three standouts include Colin Firth as potential suspect Bill Haydon, Benedict Cumberbatch as the young and eager spy Peter Guillam and Tom Hardy as reluctant informant Ricki Tarr. Each bring their own sizeable talent to the film, drawing the viewer into their tangled web.

While there are pacing issues with the narrative, the screenplay is an intelligent and challenging piece of work that follows through on its promise to reward the viewer who sticks with the story until the very end. Although you may be thrown off by the somewhat dry narrative, there are enough clues thrown your way to keep you intrigued by this intricate mystery.

FINAL GRADE: B+