Audio Reviews - The Dark Knight Rises - Audio Review

Tags:  movie review, audio, spill, spill.com, christian bale, anne hathaway, tom hardy, gary oldman, joseph gordon-levitt, michael caine, morgan freeman, marion cotillard, the dark knight rises

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  August 24, 2012 at 3:27 AM, Patrick said ...

  ON E LEGEND ENDS.  ANOTHER CONTINUES.

• August 18, 2012 at 12:13 AM, said ...

  Hey Spill! I really liked both of your reviews of this movie. I can see your points of view very readily, and I really like hearing smart, talented people discuss and critique stories.
      Here is why I didn't like Batman Begins or The Dark Knight Rises more than "high matinee," speaking as someone who's only seen the movies and Batman: The Animated Series (no knowledge of the comics).
      First, my favorite things in this trilogy were: Heath Ledger's performance, the music, Bane's voice, the concept of Batman as originally trained in ninjitsu, and the title "The Dark Knight Rises" and the part of the story it refers to. And overall, the films' production quality, acting, etc. were enough that the films achieved the proper feel of a high-register epic. Maybe I'm too picky.
      But here is my big complaint about this trilogy: Ra's al Ghul and his league's whole plan. I was never sold on there being justice in the destruction of Gotham, despite the screentime showing the terrible corruption in Batman Begins. I never understood the villains' motivations. First, we would all agree that Batman is in the right to protect Gotham. Have you ever read the story of Sodom and Gomorrah? God ends up agreeing, in the face of a series of courageous questions from his main man Abraham, to desist from destroying the populace if there are found within at least 10 good people (who would also be destroyed). As a parallel, Wayne says to Ra's al Ghul in the first movie, "there are good people here [in Gotham]." (Let's set aside the supposed "immorality" of what the people were "guilty" of in the biblical story.)
      In response, Ra's says things against Gotham--things that don't hold water. He makes reference to how his League of Shadows undid Rome and other historic places when they became decadent. He asserts that "justice is balance."
      But where is the sense of balance in killing men, women, and children without discrimination? Ra's' tries to make a case for indiscriminate mass terrorism on a purely rational basis, and falls flat. If the script is going to have Ra's make a rational case, at least let Ra's say something that almost sounds like it could be right.
      The drama is severely undercut by this problem. We like to understand the meaning of the conflict for the good guy--and for the bad guy. We even like it when it's not so clear who is good and who is bad. But here with Nolan's films we have simple, straightforward evil doers, who make absolutely no sense. The Joker openly admits to nihilism, and with Ledger in the role that is not a problem for me. But in Batman Begins, my sense of Ra's is that we are supposed to take Ra's as having a cognitive framework as his motivation.
      And this cognitive dissonance presents more trouble: Ra's is Batman's teacher! He is a sage, par excellence. He provides Wayne with insights into his own pain and psyche--and this part of the script I do like. Ra's teaches Batman about theatricality and deception--another winning part of the script. The fact is that it is incongruous for a sage to also be a moral idiot. If you find that you can't even comprehend Ra's' reasoning, you find yourself confronting a big, ugly plot hole.
      And with Bane I don't feel that we even got any indications of his motivations. Sure, loyalty and empathy toward Ra's' daughter. But his callous malevolence is the stuff of monsters, and I prefer human beings to monsters in my movies.
      So, I hope you understand what I have been trying to say. To be clear, I think this trilogy has some rather special virtues and is highly watchable.

  
  
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  August 12, 2012 at 4:02 AM, Dominique Patterson said ...

  Just got done seeing this movie and man is it overrated! I mean if you who reads this like it good for you but as a true Batman/ Action fan this put me to sleep literally! I mean to me and this movie was boring long as hell and dry in the action department. The only thing that woke me up was when Bane broke Batman's back and Anne Hathaway's fine ass but other  then that this movie was just thrown together like how Spiderman 3 was. Speaking of Spiderman that reboot was worth watching then this movie and I would never say no shit like that so you know this movie was shitty. Now im not no fanboy Christopher Nolan dick rider like most people I see giving this movie the benefit of the doubt cuz after seeing The Dark Knight there is no excuse for this movie to be this lame. Oh and can someone tell me why Bane sound white or European instead of how he sound in Arkham City?! Oh and why is the dude that played Scarcrow in the first movie in this one but not playing the same role?! Why is Ru's daughter in a prison hole in the ground with Bane and why is Batman fighting like he did in the first two movies?! You been gone 8 years and still fighting like a srub! How can people say they are fans of Batman and got nerves to say this movie is better then sex when I rather get my knob polished then waste 10 bucks or more seeing this at the movie! Thats why I got the 3 dollar bootleg of it lol! Yeah but the people that worship this movie really need to look at this shit again. take yo thumb out of yo ass andreally watch this movie cuz compared to The Dark Knight and how much time they had to make this movie it could've and should've been fucking amazing like Spiderman and the Avengers! Damn I can't believe im saying this about 3rd and final movie and giving fucking Marvel movies a good rating and looking at this movie like a redheaded step child! Hopefully Superman stay true to Superman and not no made up shit like they did with Bane and Robin on this Movie. If you can't stay true to the comics and novels then don't put it on the big screen cuz people was dying to see this shit and lost they life when they could've stayed home and waited for a movie worth seeing like The Man Of Steel! Nolan Please don't fuck Superman up like you did the last Batman! Thank you and don't forget people just my own opinion so if you don't like it then flash yo bat signal and call someone who gives a fuck cuz I don't! The Dark Knight Rises is wack and can suck deez nut sack Lmao!

• August 10, 2012 at 7:16 AM, said ...

  The film has many noticable plot holes, but yeah, the ending or how Nolan planned to end it really just sums it all up as an excellent trilogy. But the film alone, I would give it a Low Full Price because of the plot holes. But still Better than Sex Trilogy

  
  
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  August 07, 2012 at 8:44 AM, Tony Beers said ...

• August 02, 2012 at 2:13 PM, said ...

  I thought is was just as good as The Avengers. The script was brilliant, the acting was phenomenal and the climax in the story blew my mind. As expected the direction was excellent and Hans Zimmer's music is still amazing. I thought the Characters had more meaning then before and even though Bane was not nearly as memorable as the Joker he deffinately left a spine tingling impression in each scene he was in. Overall this Film was not as good as the Dark Knight, but It is still amazing and I truly believe that Christopher Nolan truly reinvented the world of Batman.  

  
  
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  July 30, 2012 at 7:18 PM, Hector Fernando Andrade JR. II said ...

  The Dark Knight Rises was SO WORTH waiting 221 hours to see because in my opinion it was the most perfect, hugly entertaining and emotional conclusion to a Superhero trillogy since Spider-Man 3.

  I thought the screenplay written by Christopher Nolan, David S. Goyer and Jonathan Nolan was fantastic, the acting performances by Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anne Hathaway, Marion Cotillard, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine were excellent.

  Christopher Nolan´s directing was incredible, the action scenes were epic and exciting the best best I have seen since The Avengers and as always Hans Zimmer creates and composes some awesome and epic music for The Dark Knight Rises.

  I also liked the great message in The Dark Knight Rises which is about Batman and the cops of Gotham City learning to get the coruage to do the right thing during hard times no matter what Bane or the other people of the city thought of them.

  Overall I think The Dark Knight Rises is the best movie of 2012.

  I give The Dark Knight Rises 5 out of 5 stars and I hope you enjoy The Dark Knight Rises.

• July 30, 2012 at 6:20 PM, atomiccomicman said ...

  
  
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  July 29, 2012 at 6:57 PM, said ...

  The movie needed nipples LOL J/K

• July 29, 2012 at 1:11 AM, said ...

  The only problem with the Arkham City idea is that you'd have to get a Heath Ledger look-alike to appear for at least a few seconds as The Joker or people will gripe about plot holes and a lack of continuity from TDK.

  
  
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  July 28, 2012 at 1:22 AM, Michael-Orian Bockus said ...

  @ Dave Kuyp Maybe because they don't agree with the faults that you're naming? Most faults people name I can explain. But I'm not going to start defending this movie from the detractors, because I have a life lol

• July 27, 2012 at 11:38 PM, Donnia ! said ...

  I completely agree with all the things Co-Host said; everything about TDKR made me cry. The trailers made me cry, and when I was finally in the theater, I was sobbing. I can't even count the times I cried while watching it. This movie was a dark and emotional roller coaster that sucked me into its world and I didn't want it to end. And now that it's over, I literally don't know what to do with my life anymore. Personally, I loved the heaviness of the film because it pulled me deeper into the movie. TDKR came into a full circle and ended perfectly. The greatest trilogy ever, I'm calling it right now. Fuck the negative reviews and shit, this movie is better than fucking sex. Nolan and Batman fangirl and proud.

  Oh, and you're dead Korey. I'll get Leon and Cyrus later, but you're first.

  
  
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  July 27, 2012 at 3:24 AM, RA said ...

  i was thinking the same thing as cyrus with that one liner.. but that was one of the only very miniscule problems i had with this movie, which are not many. exceeded my expectations even made me like the characters bane and catwoman who when i first saw the trailer couldnt picture them as good main villians for this series.

• July 26, 2012 at 8:31 AM, Dave Kuyp said ...

  Of the things that make up a good movie, I think a solid plot is one of the most important aspects one has to have in it. This movie has so many ridiculous plot-holes that I couldn't believe in anything that Batman was doing in Rises.. This was more then ridiculous, this was sloppy.. Besides this: the pacing was horrible, there was no sense of time in this movie; The hand-to-hand fighting was terrible; The action scenes were literally 'Unbelievable' and the twist and ending were just plain silly...

  A very strong SOME OLD BULLSH*T! I really don't see why so many people can forgive a movie with so many errors in it.

  
  
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  July 26, 2012 at 8:20 AM, said ...

  Its an ok/good film, but The Avengers & TDK are streets ahead of TDKR

• July 26, 2012 at 6:05 AM, said ...

  I suggest people watch it in Imax. It's fucking incredible, but Korey I agree with you man. ~Spoiler~!!!!! Something that I was so disappointed was with how Bane died. That was just a shitty way to go.

  
  
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  July 26, 2012 at 1:53 AM, said ...

  Hurry it up with that spoiler filled discussion guys.

   

  Btw, TDKR toples The Avengers by a landslide.

• July 25, 2012 at 12:37 AM, said ...

  @Korey - Maybe you saw this coming, but after the dust has settled on this movie, more people are feeling the way you do.  I, myself, have come off the Full Price rating and also give it a Matinee.  Lot of great things as you say, but also there are a number of plot problems.  Your spoiler filled review can't come soon enough!

  
  
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  July 24, 2012 at 10:09 PM, gorillahandz said ...

  @ kingofsnake
  
  
  SPOILERS!!!!!
  
  
  1) Re: Batman never quits.
  
  We are just going to have to agree to disagree on this one.  From what I saw the  only reasons Bruce wanted to quit in TDK was because the Joker was killing people and because he wanted to be with Rachel.  Once she was gone, that revenge part of his mind would have gone into overdrive, plus he and Gordon talked about how he had to play the part of the bad guy at the end of TDK and how they would have to chase him.  If he just quits what would have been the purpose of that exchange?  Looks inconsistent to me.
  
  2) Re: Drop in Crime
  
  "Bruce has show no interest in stopping crimes where the poor are trying to feed themselves. He only wants to stop the crimes committed by people who thing the law doesn't apply to them. Or at least that's all we saw him do in the trilogy."
  
  Really?  The entire REASON for Bruce becoming Batman is because his parents were killed by someone (Joe Chill) who was desperate.  You really think he would just take a blind eye to this type of crime?  Seriously?
  
  3) Re: Inconsistent Alfred
  
  Again, we are going to have to agree to disagree here.  It seems to me they both took crazy left turns from the previous movies, which points to me inconsistent writing that is not well thought out or just convenient writing.  Which really isn't Nolan's style, but see my previous post about speculation regarding Nolan and how he really didn't want to do this movie after Heath Ledger's death after TDK.
  
  4) Re: Bane
  
  I admit Bane as a mastermind is what I wanted, and felt sorely disappointed when  we weren't given that.  He taking orders from Talia at the end, proving to me he was a henchman.  It left a really bad taste in my mouth somewhat reminiscent of Bane's treatment in Batman and Robin.
  
  As for the fight scenes, again, agree to disagree.  That kind of fighting isn't something Bruce Wayne/Batman would do.  His body may have been rusty, but never his mind, but clearly we weren't shown that it was a failing in his body due to the length of both fight scenes.  Inconsistent.
  
  5) Re: The Pit
  
  You state yourself you thought he had room to get a running start and not just make it a standing long jump, which illustrates my point it was either bad writing/directing or bad set design, which would still fall under directing.  The visuals of the scene didn't make sense.  Besides, Bruce has been shown to be clever enough to problem solve that particular pit.  Nolan should have gotten his point about fear across in a better designed way.  Nolan failed here.
  
  6) Re: Tumblers
  
  Solid rubber wheels?  Do you know how much that would weigh?  That goes against the entire stated reason for the Tumbler in the first movie (a gap jumping device for bridge building).  The Tumbler design has always been retarded with the wheels sticking out and they ignored that again, which I guess is again too much for me to suspend my disbelief, especially in a world that has been so solidly setup in previous movies in every other way.  And no, Batman wouldn't drive around in something that could so easily get a flat, that is why I have always hated the vehicle.
  
  As for jamming the signal, I am stating that is something that should have been accomplished months beforehand without the Bat.  Lucius should have known about the signal jammer and made the knowledge available to someone (Gordon).  Or even without that knowledge Gordon could have gotten a signal jammer from the outside military by communicating with them through a simple means (celphones, landline phones, radios, semaphore flags, binoculars and sign language, notes written on goddamn paper airplanes, whatever) and dealt with this threat way, way, way earlier without Batman, especially since the guy disappeared for months at a time and the clock was ticking.  Overall it was a dumb, clumsy plot, not Nolan's style (especially since he evidenced he knew how to set up tension regarding bombs from TDK).  It was just plain dumb and a giant plot hole.

• July 24, 2012 at 8:36 PM, said ...

  I will say overall this movie is a Low Full Price. It has great moments but it has its problems, problems that take you out of the story because they are so obvious. When Bruce first came out with a cane I thought that it made no sense. He was crippled by that last fall in the Dark Knight but not when he dove to save Rachel? That fall damaged him because he didn't have a car to soften his landing? LOL. Man there are so many other problems that I wont post them so I won't spoil it for any one (I'll wait for the spoiler discussion to post).

  As for the good, Anne Hathaway was great, I loved Bane, and the set up was great.

  Again it is a Low Full Price.

  
  
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  July 24, 2012 at 8:23 PM, said ...

  After skipping out on opening weekend, I succumbed to reading bits and pieces of the movie on Movie Spoilers and did not have high expectations for the movie -- just too much folklore was being turned on its head.  However, after seeing the movie this morning and accepting the Nolan Batman Universe, I was suprised to find myself loving this movie.  True, I would have gone apes#!t if this was an adaptation of Dennis O'Neil's novel Knightfall (much leaner and deeper than the graphic novel (in my opinion)) but taken on its own and in conjunction with the previous two films of the anthology, I was pleasantly surprised.  I would also like to do a quick shoutout to my friend and fellow stage actor Artie for portraying the thug at the far end of the pre-cop/thug confrontation.  I'd also love someone to fill in all I missed on the other 2/3rds of the movie screen as I tried o pick him out in the shot.  I'm with you, CoHost.  I loved this movie.

• July 24, 2012 at 1:51 PM, gorillahandz said ...

  I listened to a podcast last night from The Indoor Kids where they talked all about Batman, and at the end of the podcast they talked about the new movie.  Their guest stated that he had heard from people in the industry close to Nolan that after Heath Ledger's death he was heartbroken about it and had no real desire to make the third movie.  The way the studio got him to do it is to not only offer him tons of money, but also said he could do any project he wanted first and then come back to finish the trilogy (that's how we got Inception).  They talked about how the new Batman movie just didn't feel right, was disjointed, cynical, and didn't seem like a typical Nolan movie due to the multiple super happy endings.  I don't know if I agree with everything they said, but I do feel that this movie just might be the Nolan movie I like the least, and I agree that it didn't feel like a strong, tightly scripted movie that Nolan typically delivers.   The link to the podcast is here for those who are interested in listening:
  http://www.nerdist.com/2012/07/the-indoor-kids-55-batman-batman-batman/

  
  
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  July 24, 2012 at 1:23 PM, Nate Frisoli said ...

  @ Virgil Tibbs

  That article makes good points. But it doesn't break the movie for me. It's insider baseball. It basically says instead of doing this thing that wouldn't really work, they could've done this thing that could've possibly worked!

  It's like that article by the professional archer who pointed out how Jeremy Renner was a terrible archer. My response is "Ok, I believe it. But it *is* a movie and not a documentary, and this falls into 'real enough' territory."

  It also addresses the totally obvious solution to the "How did Bruce Wayne get back to America?" question. He had some secret Bruce Wayne money in untouchable Swiss bank accounts or something. I'm really supposed to believe the stock losses absorbed *all* of his money? Maybe he's *just* a millionaire now, but I'm sure he still has enough money to live comfortably in Europe for the rest of his life.

  Here's the most legitimate grievance I can think of.

  Who wired the Pit with electricity? Wouldn't the guy with a TV in his cell be the most popular dude in the Pit? How did they get a local Gotham news feed to South America anyway? Also, who was running Gotham News amidst the Bain's anarchy?

• July 24, 2012 at 11:54 AM, said ...

  Wow!! Watched this at the IMAX in London and was blown away by the whole spectacle. Amazing end to one of the best trilogies I have seen in recent years.

  
  
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  July 24, 2012 at 4:14 AM, said ...

  @kingofsnake: I concede my point on Bane.

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