Batman is my favorite comic book hero, I think because despite his character's great financial wealth, he still risks life and limb to help others. Bruce Wayne could easily rest comfortably in his fortunes, as most rich people do, and yet he feels compelled to personally battle the worst villains among us. However fictional the comic may be, the idea is very inspiring, and thus a powerful draw. Indeed, I could not wait to see The Dark Knight Rises. I went to the midnight screening at the AMC Loews Waterfront theatre in Pittsburgh, which was PACKED with young people dressed in Batman merch and homemade costumes. Many of the scenes in the movie were filmed in Pittsburgh, which created massive local enthusiasm. Simply put, there was great anticipation for this movie.
Still, I had skepticism that it would meet expectations, mainly because of what I consider to be the cinematic rule of 3's. If you look at any movie series, the third installment is usually the worst. Godfather part 3. Alien 3. Matrix Revolutions. Austin Powers in Goldmember. All blah. Granted, there are exceptions, like Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. But in general, I think what happens is the story loses steam. The first part is always new and exciting, and then the sequel tries hard to outdo the first. By the time you reach the third part, the spirit of the series is tired and worn out, like the last leg of a long race.
Christopher Nolan's reboot of the Batman series is a perfect example of this. In Batman Begins, we were given a cool fresh look at the origins of Batman. The sequel, The Dark Knight, had an unrelenting pace, as Batman fought with every last ounce of strength to catch an insane Joker and save his friends and Gotham City. And now, in The Dark Knight Rises, things slow down big time. [SPOILER ALERT]. The audience is sitting in excitement to see Batman, only to learn that he has retired?! And years have passed in the story's timeline? Talk about losing steam! We are introduced to a big and scary villain named Bane, whose brute strength and armed rebel fighters allow him to take control of a nuclear weapon and hold Gotham City hostage. But how much time is allowed its prisoners? 5 months! How's that for suspense?!
I'll also give The Dark Knight Rises demerits for the political message it conveys, which I believe run contrary to what Batman stands for. [SPOILER ALERT]. During the second act, the Gotham police force are led underground into a trap, thus plunging the city into presumed mob rule. Bane leads a sort of proletarian revolution, with the poor taking from the rich the wealth that has been denied them, and public executions of the aristocracy are held, much like the guillotines of the French Revolution. So when Batman comes to Gotham's rescue, though he defeats Bane and his minions and restores order, he in effect supports the inequalities that pervade the city. At a time when our nation is plagued by unprecedented inequality of income and opportunities, this idea is anathema.
Still, The Dark Knight Rises is an entertaining movie with impressive visual effects, surprising plot twists and strong acting performances by all, especially Michael Cain. But when heroes and their movies are held in such high regard, it's all the more disappointing when they miss the mark.
