"The Dark Knight Rises" (2012)

[ChrisMC]

dave, my issue with that article first off is that it's 4 years old and quite honestly nonsence. Let's take a look at the origins of Batman: Young Bruce Wayne witnesses the MURDER of his parents. Bruce Wayne vows VENGENCE on those responsible. Batman is created to inflict damage and deliver that revenge. So, no where ever has the story of Batman ever been about puppies and kittens. It's always been a story of violence and vengence. In fact, there is a very thin line that separates Batman from those he hunts, always has been. So, for anyone to take a young child to see any Batman, I mean REAL Batman not the 60's camp (not that I didn't enjoy THAT iteration), and be surprised that there is wanton violence is really not paying attention at all. In fact, with the Nolan films, never has the advertisments been anything BUT dark. How could anyone view any type of ad for this Batman and NOT know to expect violence?
I for one LOVE Nolan's Batman creation. These movies are much better to me than the semi-campy-want-to-be-dark-comedy that OTHER directors created. I liked Tim Burton's Batman, but let's be honest, too light and cartoony. And let's not even mention Batman & Robin OR Batman Forever...(BLAH!). So, my opinion on the question "Has Batman become just a glamorized slasher movie?" No. NO. NO. It's what it has been since he was born...in my opinion, that article made no good points at all. Just someone who doesnt' like the Nolan version of Batman.

+1 for me. I wouldn't take my 4 year old son to see The Dark Knight Rises, first of all it's PG-13. So parents, use your judgement. My son LOVES Batman, and there's tons of kid friendly Batman to consume...the 60's show, the 60's movie, ALL of the Batman cartoons that have been made since 1992. Batman has been an "adult" superhero for a good portion of his existence. I welcome a serious, more realistic take on Batman.

Anyway, the NEW MOVIE. Very good, don't think there is a wasted scene. The Catwoman of this movie is probably the most self-assured version, a character who holds her own just fine with Batman. Bane-scary! Tom Hardy is SO huge in this movie, a far cry from Shinzon. It's a long movie, but it's fine. Now, as to the resolution which I guess is controversial:PLEASE! DO NOT READ UNTIL YOU HAVE SEEN THE MOVIE!!!!!!!!! HEAVY SPOILER. [spoiler]Batman "dies" sacrificing himself for Gotham in a nuclear expolsion. But, of course, not really. Nice to see Gordon remembering a young Bruce Wayne. I loved seeing Alfred and Bruce free of Batman, Bruce finally having a life of his own. Just that quick shot of him at the end is so great. As a lifelong fan of Batman, it's just cool to think Bruce Wayne can actually be happy.

And as to Blake, I HOPE that they use him as Batman in the upcoming DCU movies (Batman, Justice League). He was a great character, good motivation, and a keen observant mind. I'm pretty interested to see his story played out in the future.[/spoiler] So, I loved it. It's at least as good as TDK, in my opinion.

[Rico]

Well, just got back from seeing "The Dark Knight Rises" and I enjoyed it.  I really, really want to talk about it with you guys, but I know most of you of course haven't seen it yet.  I'm actually afraid to make much of any kind of a comment yet (even in a spoiler tag).  I do plan on talking about it very generally and spoiler free on the podcast this coming weekend.  So, everyone run out and see it so we can talk about it. 

P.S.  I will say I loved Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle aka Catwoman!

[ChrisMC]

YES. She was great, and I wasn't a believer. Well, I used spoiler tags, I could't help it. Needed to get it out! I have too many thoughts about it!

[Rico]

I know how you feel.  You might want to put a little bigger warning above your spoiler tag section to people in your post.  It's a big part of the film you discuss and people should really not read it until after they see the film.  I myself don't want to give people even the temptation here.

[ChrisMC]

Good idea, done and done. Sorry, I get excited and forget not everyone runs right out like I do.

[Rico]

I will toss a sort of "spoiler" out related to the trailers.  I was sad the "Man of Steel" trailer they showed us was not the Comic Con version.  It showed much less.

[ChrisMC]

YEAH, I was kinda bummed. It was nice and moody, but didn't really do much to get you pumped. It used LOTR music to a nice effect though.

[Rico]

What a great cast pic!

[Meds]

Loved the film, bit long I reckon at least 15 mins could be trimmed. Nice humour great performance by all especially Tom Hardy.
Best cat woman so far, thumbs up there.

[WillEagle]

First off let me say I did like the movie. The ending was great and I also thought Anne Hathaway did a great job as Catwoman. And I do like her riding the batcycle more than Batman. I don't know if it was my theater or what but the wife and I both had trouble hearing what Bane said sometimes. Sometimes I figured it out by what was going on and sometimes I just didn't know. I did enjoy the special effects. I thought those were well done. And I hate to admit it but I did doze off for a few seconds during the middle part of the movie. I thought it was too slow in the middle. I didn't do that during Spiderman or The Avengers. On a scale from 1 to 10 I would give this movie a 7. And you don't have to stay after the credits. I wish somebody had told me that before I stayed. Oh, well.

[spoiler]I did like the football scenes. I'm a huge Steelers fan and to see Heinz Field and Hines Ward was cool. I also really liked the "Bat" thing he flew around in but no Batmobile in the whole movie. Did her forget where he parked it? [/spoiler]

[Jobydrone]

I really loved it, it must have been so challenging to live up to the greatness of the last film but it really did a masterful job tying up the story and recalling both prior films.

Major, massive Spoilers follow:

[spoiler]I was totally floored by the amazing job they did with the Talia Al Ghul twist at the end.  I mean I know the Batman mythos as well as almost anyone and I just didn't see it coming at all.  Brilliant.[/spoiler]

I agree it was long but I really enjoyed that they paid so much tribute to the supporting characters, especially the relationship between Bruce and Alfred and the [spoiler]brand new origin story for Robin.  Maybe I misinterpreted the ending but I can't see Bruce and Selina flying off into the sunset together like in Alfred's fantasy.  I know this is the last film but I'm a bit bummed we won't be seeing Blake as Robin teaming up with Bruce's Batman.  The little bit of master/apprentice training tease we got when they fought together briefly in this film whetted my appetite for more.  Oh well, maybe in another lifetime.[/spoiler] 

What a great summer it's been for movies!

[ChrisMC]

I agree it was long but I really enjoyed that they paid so much tribute to the supporting characters, especially the relationship between Bruce and Alfred and the [spoiler]brand new origin story for Robin.  Maybe I misinterpreted the ending but I can't see Bruce and Selina flying off into the sunset together like in Alfred's fantasy.  I know this is the last film but I'm a bit bummed we won't be seeing Blake as Robin teaming up with Bruce's Batman.  The little bit of master/apprentice training tease we got when they fought together briefly in this film whetted my appetite for more.  Oh well, maybe in another lifetime.[/spoiler] 

What a great summer it's been for movies!

I thought the same thing at first Joby, BUT: [spoiler]With the autopilot being mentioned a couple times by Lucius and Bruce, I don't think that was a throwaway line. I think Bruce fixed it and escaped the bada-boom[/spoiler]

[Jobydrone]

Yes yes that part was perfectly clear and I agree...

[spoiler]Imeant I just don't see Bruce retiring and Joseph Gordon Levitt taking over as the Batman.  I mean I know the trilogy is over and we probably won't ever know but I think we were meant to believe that Blake is going to take up the sidekick mantle.[/spoiler]

[ChrisMC]

Yeah, you're probably right, there is just gonna be a reboot anyway , and we are gonna have to go through Batman's origin AGAIN for the 3rd time.

[Geekyfanboy]

Just got back from seeing it.. I really loved it.. I'll post more in a few days.