A while ago I finally went to see The Dark Knight Rises. Yes, yes, I know, I'm a bit late to the party. But I thought I'd share my observations anyway. So if you're even less up to date than I am, beware of SPOILERS in the following text.
There probably are other reviews by people who have read the comics, seen all the animated series and live-action movies, and maybe even own a figurine or two. That is why I won't bore you with an attempt at analysis of the deeper symbolism in the movie; I'm woefully under-qualified for that.
Instead, I present you with a brief bullet list of things that struck me while watching it.
- The person who told Christian Bale to amp up the gravelly quality of his voice needs to have their hearing checked. It's so ridiculously over the top it nearly made me giggle every time Batman started talking. Not to mention Christian Bale must have been drinking Gollem juice nearly non-stop.
- Also, Christian Bale's mouth looks weird in the mask. And you can't. stop. looking. But that's just a pet peeve of mine.
- Alfred is the most heartbreakingly sweet man ever, and Bruce Wayne doesn't deserve him.
- Anne Hathaway exceeded my apprehensive expectations as Catwoman, and the goggles that coincidentally formed the 'ears' were a very nice touch. Great to see her in a badass role for once.
- Tom Hardy as Bane is extraordinarily intimidating; bulk and posture used extremely well, which makes the big revelation at the end all the more tragic.
- I highly doubt that you would dive into bed with some random acquaintance immediately after you learn the dead love of your life may have never loved you at all - even if you are Bruce Wayne.
- The motorcycle with the revolving wheels is awesome, as is Morgan Freeman, aka God.
- When you're in some hell hole of a prison with your back smashed, after a doctor told you that there's almost no cartilage left in your joints, the last thing they should probably do is shove your vertebrae back into alignment by sheer force.
After which you will naturally be hung from a looped rope as physical therapy until you can stand independently, which is a sure sign that it's okay to start doing push ups, sit ups and any other kind of 'ups.
Of course you will have lost none of your muscle tone while you were incapacitated.
Culminating in two escape attempts which by all rights should break your back again.
Miraculously, a third attempt sets you free, to return to Gotham and seek retribution. - That hole-in-the-ground-prison is actually not such a bad idea...
- Poor Bane is forced to endure the worst friendzoning in the history of everything ever.
- Joseph Gordon-Levitt has successfully morphed his adorable baby-face into a credible hardened cop, while still making you want to hug him. Evidence!
- The symbolism of the torn US flag waving in the wind, or the 'Star-spangled Banner' being sung right before the stadium is blown to bits is about as subtle as a punch in the face.
- I suspect Christopher Nolan was in a slight rush to finish the film when he chose that particular take for Talia's death scene. People still unconvinced of its absurdity, watch other people do it.
- I don't really think 1,5 minutes before a nuclear bomb detonates is the right time to explore the possibility of sexy tiemz between you and that sexy Catlady thief.
- The mystery of Batman might (imho) have been better preserved if the whole café scene at the end hadn't been included. Also, that would have effectively ended any speculation about the horrifying possibility of there being a Batman-Robin-Catwoman film in the near future. We've all seen where that can lead, and it's not good:
 |
| Nobody wants that. |
So, do you agree with me or am I about to be denounced as a heathen? No really, I actually think it's a pretty good movie, but some things are just too glaringly obvious to ignore.
Overall not a very long post today, but then again this was created in a fit of procrastination, so there you go.
No comments:
Post a Comment