Batman, the Summer Blockbuster

In the third and final film of The Dark Knight trilogy, director Christopher Nolan (Inception, The Dark Knight, and Batman Begins) once again wows the audience with The Dark Knight Rises. The box office has estimated that The Dark Knight Rises made over $160 million its first weekend, which would make it the new box office record since The Amazing Spiderman.

Taking place eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) remains joined in the action as Commissioner of the Gotham City Police Force, along with new cast members, Officer Blake (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), wealthy businesswoman Miranda Tate (Marion Cotillard) and a jewelry swiping Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway). Bruce Wayne/Batman (Christian Bale) hasn’t been seen or heard from since Harvey Dent’s death. With no mention of the Joker in the third installment after the tragic loss of Heath Ledger (Joker), a new villain has stepped into place, Bane. Bane (Tom Hardy), said to be “born in Hell on earth” is tall, muscular, and pure evil. With Bane on the run, he quickly forms an army and heads for Gotham City. When Bruce Wayne hears of Bane and his army’s arrival in Gotham City, he goes to Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), who provides Batman with all of his gadgets, to get some new toys to try out, such as “The Bat,” a flying Bat Mobile.

Bruce Wayne’s first appearance in the movie as Batman is in an exhilarating high speed chase between him, Bane, and three of his men, and the Gotham City Police Force.

Christopher Nolan makes it clear in Batman Begins that Batman does not use guns or kill his enemies, which is a theme portrayed throughout all of The Dark Knight movies. Batman seems to be stronger by following his rule of not killing or using guns because it shows the people of Gotham that they will be punished for their crimes. However, Batman is not as physically strong as Bane.

Nolan does a great job of showing how Bane’s strength is a powerful factor in this film, and how great the actors portray their roles. Along with this fantastic movie, Hans Zimmer composed a powerful soundtrack that gives the movie its intense feeling of suspense, action, and drama. The Dark Knight Rises is full of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat from the very beginning right until the credits roll up. Overall, The Dark Knight Rises is a smart, clever, must-see film.