SSMR: The Dark Knight Rises

So, I saw TDKR tonight.  I tried to see the IMAX version, but once I got to the box office person to get the tix, there were only two seats left...at the very front...at the far left of the screen.  So, we opted for a slightly earlier time on a smaller screen.

I'll just come out and say it.  This movie was an epic conclusion to a great trilogy. For all the naysayers out there, don't listen to 'em.  This movie was great.  Yes, every review pretty much compares it to The Dark Knight.  But, guess what?  This isn't a remake, or reboot of TDK.  This is it's own movie.  You really shouldn't compare movies, but instead judge them on their own merits.  Sure it has the same actors and filmmakers, but it is it's own movie.

I recently ready an article online about 15 things that made no sense in TDKR.  But I can name just as many things about TDK (for one, how can a man in clown makeup, dressed up as a nurse, get tonnes of explosives into a hospital and strategically place the explosives in such a way that the building collapses perfectly?)  So, to all you haters of this final film..stop it?  As great as TDK is, it's no Citizen Cain or Godfather. 

Back to my review.  TDKR was Epic!  There was great performances by all.  A great story fit for a conclusion.  The introduction of Catwoman, played to perfection by Anne Hathaway and Bane, played by the amazing Tom Hardy, were awesome.  After the anarchistic Joker in the previous installment, Bane  was all brute strength, but with the brains to match.  Any other popular Batman antagonist, ie, Riddler or Penguin, would have made the movie into a parody of itself.  Bane represented what the world fears today: the brains and strength of a terrorist. 

With a more serious villain this time around, humour was few and far between.  As usual, Christopher Nolan, has crafted a great story, but this time a twist has been thrown in that's reminiscent of an M. Night Shyamalan movie (at least the good ones) that will tie the whole trilogy together, especially with the bookend features.

The bottom line is that I suggest you see this movie.  On its own, you may have a few questions if you haven't seen Batman Begins, but it's still a great movie.  As the third part of a trilogy, it wraps it all up purrfectly.  Or does it....