THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (A)

Bottom Line: Intelligent, intense and intricate – this action-packed, heart-pounding crime caper is an anarchically epic delight! Perhaps a few critics will find fault within the labyrinthian, pedal-to-the-medal 164 minute proceedings – spouting off their requisite, negative guano – but this efficiently acted, expertly crafted and ambitiously unhinged flick is sure to please both fans of really good movies and those looking for the ever elusive blockbuster with brains. The tightly woven script and A-game, multi-motivated turns from Hathaway, Hardy, Gordon-Levitt, Bale and Caine work effortlessly to ensure you’re served up a riveting, pulse-pounding, cinematic steak dinner with ample sides of summertime spectacle and big budget mayhem. It’ll make your heart race and palms sweat as you literally wear thin the edge of your seat… A satisfyingly triumphant, multi-layered masterpiece, this Dark Knight does indeed rise and - in the process - puts the final stamp on what is essentially one of the greatest motion picture trilogies of all time!

Starring: Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gary Oldman, Marion Cotillard, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine
Directed by: Cristopher Nolan (BATMAN BEGINS, THE DARK KNIGHT and INCEPTION)
Rated: PG-13
Running time: 164 minutes
Story: It has been eight years since Batman vanished into the night, turning, in that instant, from hero to fugitive. Assuming the blame for the death of D.A. Harvey Dent, the Dark Knight sacrificed everything for what he and Commissioner Gordon both hoped was the greater good. For a time the lie worked, as criminal activity in Gotham City was crushed under the weight of the anti-crime Dent Act. But everything will change with the arrival of a cunning cat burglar with a mysterious agenda. Far more dangerous, however, is the emergence of Bane, a masked terrorist whose ruthless plans for Gotham drive Bruce out of his self-imposed exile. But even if he dons the cape and cowl again, Batman may be no match for Bane. (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Trailer: www.thedarkknightrises.com