We fall to rise again

★★★ 1/2 out of ★★★★

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Runtime: 164 minutes

MPAA: Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some sensuality and language.

This is The Dark Knight I've been waiting for. A movie that is subtle and explores the psychological and physical limits of a superhero, while offering tense and exhilarating action sequences. To be honest, after a while, I was already so immersed into the experience that I had already forgotten that it was a superhero movie. It's one of the better superhero movies you can view out there, or have a re-watch, in this era of CGI, explosions, excessive effects without a proper narrative.

The Dark Knight Rises is a movie that can explain why the 164 minutes are here for and are worth it, instead of its predecessor, in which its 152 minutes offered too much psychology crap and philosophical lines that requires a PhD in Batman Studies to understand. Besides, who knew The Dark Knight Rises would be so relevant in today's protest and anti-campaign filled world?

It has been eight years since Batman, in collusion with Commissioner Gordon, vanished into the night. Assuming responsibility for the death of Harvey Dent, Batman sacrificed everything for what he and Gordon hoped would be the greater good. However, the arrival of a cunning cat burglar and a merciless terrorist named Bane force Batman out of exile and into a battle he may not be able to win.

For this round, Batman is truly challenged to rise again after he falls. The movie also teaches us about overconfidence and why it is not good, i.e. Batman thinks Bane is just a minion of a presumably more powerful boss that he defeated a long time ago. There are also many memorable speeches from the as terrorizing as the Joker Bane (played by Tom Hardy, but his performance makes you forget that he is Hardy) that apply to today's politic-driven world, and the most important thing is: the villains have points. Based on the lie Commissioner Gordon and Batman made to cover up the death of Harvey Dent, the villains expose the corrupt city and offers an opportunity to everyone to have freedom. As the quote goes: 'Now we come here not as conquerors, but as liberators to return control of the city to its people.'

Get prepared for a jaw-dropping opening sequence, something Nolan didn't fail to impress us in its predecessor: the villain disguised as one of its henchmen performing a lethal stunt. From a bank heist and school buses, we are introduced to an even more intense opening: a large aircraft overshadowing a smaller plane as it deploys men to tilt the small plane vertically down, blow the top off and drop the plane. There are more adrenalin-packed action sequences which will definitely leave a grin on your face.

Sure, the plot may be a little convoluted at the start, and some characters are in need of more development. Some logical parts may not add up either. But they are minor in the greater scheme of the movie. The flaws are easily 

forgotten and redeemed by the

 climax of the movie.

The visceral experience of cars crashing, flying Bat-planes and revolving Batmobiles is something one can imagine watching in IMAX. Not to forget, during a dire race for time, Batman still has the time to engrave his signal on a building that is visible when set on fire.

This is the Batman movie I would willingly pay full price for the ticket.

Trailer: