The Dark Knight Rises * * * * *

It wouldn't be really fair to call TDKR a movie. It's much more than that. And so where the first two movies of this ultimate trilogy which is sure to become a perpetual phenomenon of a kind. The first was a sublime narrative of the making of a hero of our times. Second about the ultimate sacrifice when he takes the fall so that people keep their belief in good. And the third where he rises from the darkest of hollows to be the Hero that Gotham always deserved. It couldn't have ended better.

Set up eight years after Batman took the fall so that Gotham's white knight remains the symbol of hope, it starts with the 'trademark' breathtaking sequence which  blows your mind right at the beginning. And unlike other movies this one needed no time to pickup the rhythm which exponentially 'rises' till the very end. In fact, it's more like a tan curve where towards the end the magnitude becomes par excellence and immeasurable. After eight years of peace time, Gotham is again in the shadows with the revival of the league and the legacy of Ras al Gul.

As promised in the first, the Wayne Manor is rebuild with improving the foundations in the southeast corner but the Dark Knight overwhelmed after losing everything is to be seen nowhere. But then comes the greatest of threats to the order in Gotham which ignites that very fire again. Michael Caine as Alfred who is the emotional side of Bruce has again more than impressed. His conversations with Bruce have so much meaning in them. His is a very crucial role in the trilogy as he never gives up his faith in Bruce. Anne Hathaway as Catwoman has lived up to the likes of Christian Bale, Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman who continued their sublime performances.

Tom Hardy who plays Bane had a really tough task at hand as the standards were set sky high by Heath Ledger as Joker in the previous flick. But I say it isn't fair to compare these men who had only one thing in common. They just wanted to watch the world burn. Given that Bane had monstrous braces wrapped around his faces which must have made it quite difficult for the expressions to surface, he did an awesome job. Merely his body language and dreadful eyes were enough to create an atmosphere of fear and horror. And finally Batman got his match in Bane as both find it hard to enunciate! But the part that will take you off the ground is the climax. And on one hand you will surely agree that this is the perfect ending to the trilogy, the other half becomes sad as it comes to an end. The dialogues and the screenplay in all the three movies are so meaningful and we find all of that having so much relevance in our very own lives. This is perhaps one of the reasons why we connect so much with Nolan's Batman. This masterpiece is an epic!

Sir Nolan, you have become more than just a man. A legend.

P.S. The 'Man of Steel' trailer seems promising!

Rise!

You were just a kid,
when they took them away.
Lost in the shades of vengeance,
you were driven by your anger.
It would have destroyed you,
but you chose justice over vengeance.
You chose to fight injustice,
You made your fear, a weapon,
a terrifying symbol, something indestructible.
You became more than just a man,
A legend. And it began!

You wanted a hero with a face,
but the clown had his way.
That even the best can fall.
But you took that fall, so that hope lives;
so that people believe in good.
like a Silent guardian, watchful protector,
you were truly incorruptible,
you were the dark knight!

Evil has resurfaced, with a different face,
faith is broken, hope lost.
To save Gotham, to keep that hope alive,
Batman has to come back,
Rise, O Dark Knight,
Rise!