Page 20 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • August 1, 2012 ‘Dark Knight’ winds up Nolan’s three-film saga Bane (Tom Hardy) and Batman (Christian Bale) clash in ‘The Dark Knight Rises.’ by Dennis Seuling One thing is certain: “The Dark Knight Rises,” Christopher Nolan’s final installment in his Batman trilogy, was one of the most eagerly anticipated movies of the season. The film was positioned to maximize box office business from vacationers and kids who are out of school for the summer. Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) has put his Batman mask and cape in mothballs since taking the blame for the dastardly deeds of crusader turned madman Harvey Dent, making Dent a symbol of hope for Gotham City’s citizens. Bruce has been leading a reclusive life with only his faithful butler, Alfred (Michael Caine), for companionship. The city has been at peace until Bane (Tom Hardy), a muscle-bound villain, rears his head. Bane is a sociopath who wears a mask that covers his mouth, causing him to speak like Darth Vader. He is a huge presence who revels in the pain and death of those who cross his path. This new threat to Gotham impels Bruce to come out of his selfimposed retirement and aid the police in combating the formidable foe. An early scene introduces Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway), a thief who favors a sleek black catsuit complete with ears (though she is never referred to as Catwoman). Selina is a gal from modest beginnings who has learned how, with equal facility, to crash society parties or bring down an adversary with a karate chop. There is some “catand-mouse” dialogue between Selina and Bruce when she poses as a maid to break into his safe, but the two are destined to meet again later as their alter-egos. Morgan Freeman reprises his role of Fox, the overseer of Wayne Enterprises and, when required, provider of impressive props for Batman’s fight against crime. Gary Oldman is back as Commissioner Gordon, Joseph Gordon-Levitt portrays young police officer Blake, Matthew Modine is in charge when Commissioner Gordon is unable to fulfill his responsibilities, and Marion Cotillard is Miranda, a cleanenergy philanthropist and half-hearted love interest. For all its hype, “The Dark Knight Rises,” is not an exceptional film. It is a good movie with some excellent action sequences, but script-wise it is disappointing. Except for a 10-minute sequence at the beginning and the final half hour, Bruce is either being pummeled by Bane, badly injured, or imprisoned -- out of commission and largely off camera. The movie is close to three hours and there are stretches where not a lot is happening and exposition dominates. The film could easily shed 15 minutes and still cover all of its plot bases. Hardy has the unenviable task of following Heath Ledger’s Joker as the villain. Ledger rightfully won an Academy Award for his performance, and the character of Bane -- despite his bulk and bombastic threats -- pales by comparison. It’s tough to shake the image of Bane as a professional wrestler done up to be the designated bad guy for a bout in the arena. The film’s PG-13 rating precludes graphic representations of Bane’s sadism, so he comes off more like a cartoon character than a flesh-and-blood danger to Gotham City. Hathaway plays Selina as a sexy seductress with a mean high kick. Christopher and Jonathan Nolan’s script attempts to provide her with clever dialogue and witty repartee, but falls short. She looks great in her slinky catsuit and her makeup is never mussed up after a brawl, so her purpose just might be classy window dressing. Her involvement in the plot later in the picture seems contrived, even forced, as if the writers were straining to exploit her star power to the max. Michael Caine has scenes, primarily in the beginning (continued on Crossword page)