The Dark Knight Rises (***1/2 out of ****)

The Dark Knight Rises does the impressive job of bringing Christopher Nolan's staggering and monumental trilogy to a satisfying conclusion. The series has has done a 180 on the super hero formula and come out perhaps the better. Instead of light hearted fun and other worldly powers (even some literal cases), the Dark Knight trilogy is filled with despair, paranoia, prejudice but the biggest idea the series presents is there is also hope. A light that shines through even when the rest of the world has gone pitch black. The Dark Knight Rises is gigantic summer blockbuster that wraps up the trilogy while bringing in big ideas and awe inspiring cinematic entertainment.

Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) has become a hermit in the time from the last film, The Dark Knight. Eight years have past and Batman has not reemerged to either hate or glory. It isn't until "meeting" a certain thief that he decides to come back to society and see what the world has become without his influence. This thief is Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway) better known as her alice Cat Woman. She is a dangerous and intelligence woman with deep personal problems (who hasn't those here?). Selina is unsure if she can join modern society and whether mischievous stealing can continue forever. Upon Bruce's return he learns of the presence of Bane (Tom Hardy). A golem of a man that carries the philosophical ideas of a revolutionary but with the strength to even over power the Caped Crusader. Bane has big plans for Gotham and it will take everything Batman has in him to even try to stop the masked madmen.

Returning is Michael Caine in effective short scenes as Alfred, Bruce's lifelong butler/caretaker. There is also Morgan Freeman, the "Q" of the series. Lastly retuning is the ever faithful Gary Oldman as commissioner Jim Gordon. Newer members of the cast fit in just right with the old and feel like they've been here all along. There is Joseph Gordon Levitt in a emotional performance has rookie cop John Blake, who ideas of hope are what Bruce once had eight years ago. Lastly there is the always good Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate, a investor in Wayne enterprises. As for Bale, Hardy and Hathaway, all deserve praise. Bale brings soul to his character, Hardy lives and breathes his role and Hathaway steal the show in every scene she's in a sexy and fun performance that never comes close to eye candy nor camp, but is always somebody who is genially interesting.

The Dark Knight Rises which feels a lot like a final chapter rather than a stand alone movie is very affective in giving the the series the conclusion a wondrous finale. That finale being a pulse pounding climax that is unlike any other. There are a lot of fantastic little scenes. Without saying too much a fight scene between Bane and Batman doesn't contain any music. The brutal reality of the monster Batman faces terrifying.  Big ideas are brought up from the comic books and there are some beautiful changes to fit the story (the smallest spoiler I'll give is just wait and see how a prison is this series' Lazarus Pit). Things feel bigger here than every before. Despite being a big success the film could improve in some areas. Some of it comes down to Bane, his mouthpiece makes hard to understand what he is saying and the gravity of his words get lost in the scuffle. Also Bane's plans seem a bit contradicting of giving life to the people (you'll see). Despite small flaws (The Dark Knight had them too) the finished product is too hard not to admire. It's a super hero movie unblinking cynicism of today's society (post 9/11 anxiety ) and will feed on your every emotion. However you'll welcome it. The Dark Knight Rises is a triumph and the ending the people deserve.

***1/2 out of ****