The Dark Knight Rises reviewed by Mark Kermode

www.bbc.co.uk/5live
Fridays at 2pm on BBC 5 live.
Mark Kermode reviews The Dark Knight Rises. Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman star in the most anticipated film of 2012.
This week's show guest presented by Zoe Ball.

[@maverickmegastar]

Since Ebert passed away Mark has been my favorite critic..

[@StandByShields]

He's a big guy

[@TomTomTom87]

agreed

[@estd1759]

@@StandByShields For you.

[@IMOReviews]

I think he has a brilliant perspective regardless of whether you agree or disagree with him. I’m always interested to hear his thoughts

[@Epiousios18]

What's strange is I was just watching another review of Mark's and thought about commenting this same thing. Strange how that kind of thing works.

[@TheConciseStatement]

Wish Zöe was on more often. It's like getting a second full review but from the perspective of a normal person.

[@sumanthnagabushan1063]

But Simon is Mr (or Dr) Superb regardless... the complimentary part of the odd couple😄

[@razkable]

i love the passion..wish more people let go of plotholes and small nitpicks and just allow us who enjoyed the film to enjoy it..

[@MrCostaC]

A second review that nobody asked for. She’s cringy.

[@johnmellor932]

Its actually my favourite of the 3

[@MyHerpderp]

Imagine the tremendous sound that must be produced when Kermode claps

[@larssonk22]

This is one of my favourite reviews by Kermode. The movie was brutal, epic I shed a manly tear. Nolan constantly surprises me, also credit to the supporting roles. Bane and Catwoman were better than I could have imagined

[@LukesEnglishPodcast]

Some great hand-waving going on here from both Mark and Zoe

[@StayFractalesque]

what does that mean? dismissal? how so

[@LukesEnglishPodcast]

@@StayFractalesque Doesn’t mean anything else. I just enjoy the way they wave their hands around while they talk.

[@timothyw98]

Making a comparison with Kick Ass, the fighting in crowd sequences had the same underlying narrative. The mob mentality, the police, the hoodlums, the good guys trying to do right. It essentially becomes a no win situation, everyone becomes the freak and the damned.

[@jackbutler3133]

Also get to see Batman fighting alongside the same people who have hunted him as a murderer for years and years, recognizing him as an ally once again after all this year's in their combined struggle against evil.

[@kermodeandmayo]

He definitely liked the movie. We've had to delete your comment though. Feel free to repost without profanity.

[@Goochbot]

Not quite as masterful as The Dark Knight, but still a fantastic movie.

[@litteralyjustsam5262]

@Funk O'Matic calm down

[@ntube7]

Mark preferred Rises! He was quite critical of the Dark Knight

[@KydzPlays]

@@ntube7 There’s nothing wrong with that. I can understand why he feels that way too.

[@syndrome3215]

TDKR is actually pretty trash lol.

[@allofthepoints9636]

@@syndrome3215 coldest take on the internet

[@walnutpenguin]

He only cried in 2 scenes, one being when he tells Bruce about burning Rachaels letter and the other being stood at Bruces grave. Both very suitable for 'water works'

[@OttoServe]

Great review! Really excited to see it tonight

[@kermodeandmayo]

'Commode' translates as 'convenient' from French to English...

[@Tymbus]

Yeah but in English it is a kind of toilet!

[@peripheralperception2267]

You forget the other meaning of "commode": a dresser. Trust me on this, I am French.

[@FabianEllis]

This is great, never seen Kermode so passionate about super-hero movies- this is why cape flicks should be made by great artists who have an understanding of creating compelling, epic visuals (as that's what the comics are full of). The Spider-man trilogy, Superman, Guardians of the Galaxy, Aquaman are also well made super-hero by auteurs with vision and an understanding of the source material. As much as the MCU is a great interconnected series- it needs more experienced and skilled filmmakers capable of creating true spectacle and not just messy green screens to truly be worthy of the size of the cinema screen.

[@BradderzSG]

I love Mark Kermode he's so passionate on movies and i respect him for it

[@01rai01]

been waiting for this one

[@JoelRA22]

Looking forward to seeing this.

[@badtracking]

Bafflingly, none of the performances are talked about. Tom Hardy is not even mentioned.

[@razkable]

anne joseph caine bale and hardy are amazing in rises...they blew me away

[@KajiCarson]

The film is kind of a masterpiece. I felt it tried to do SO many things, but it succeeded as almost evey thing and theme. HUGELY ambitious film, and rightly so. It delivers. I LOVED it.

[@Klaaarke]

These films also have more in common with 60s Batman & Robin than they would like to admit: Bruce disappearing from parties a moment before Bats turns up, Villains who risk their plans by explaining them for no reason Sometimes you just can't get rid of a bomb.

[@guyvizard549]

Yep. I totally thought about "...just can't get rid of a bomb."

[@z0uLess]

The first thing that hits me when watching this is how far we have moved culturally since then.

[@Jordannadroj20]

in what sense?

[@z0uLess]

@@Jordannadroj20 in the sense of things moving faster and faster, movements being shorter and shorter, the pulse of information oscillates in a more strained sense.

[@TheMonkeyKey]

"They're good gadgets, they do the stuff."

[@TheHappo]

Absolutely loved this, brings Begins and Dark Knight together wonderfully, and more comic booky, lots of great nods to fans, whilst retaining Nolan's style. Loved it loved it loved it.

[@PaulMMartinMovies]

Brilliant review! Can always rely on Mark Kermode for balanced, insightful and enthusiastic comments. I'm going to see it for a 3rd time tomorrow and this has just reminded me of my overwhelming excitement :D

[@AseannaesA]

I absolutely love Mark, he is fully able to reflect on both the love and the hate in his reviews and it is so great. Knowing that there is an actual reason behind the slow beginning because that it immerses you in the struggle of Bruce and the bombastic climax. Genius!

[@OsBKenshin]

"I think sometimes people look too hard to find anything we can to pull something apart. A movie is supposed to be an experience. It's not meant to be a check list of a bunch of small things that don't really matter in the end. The Dark Knight Rises hit every emotional note it needed to. It weaved multiple characters into a solid story and none of them felt short changed."

[@maxrav1831]

I usually hate film reviewers, probably watching Barry Norman all them years. However, with Mark I couldn't agree more. The three films are brilliant and I don't mean to be over the top they just are superb examples of film making and to me personally Nolan never puts a foot wrong.

[@Obenn1]

LOVE Mark Kemode's reviews

[@aryankaushik93]

Excellent review

[@claudes.whitacre1241]

Bane was the best part, I thought...God, that voice...a real villain voice.

[@harrymail7]

Americans always use English accents as the villain. Sounds scarier for some reason

[@harrymail7]

@@lydhavet-music yes I know. That is why I am saying Americans use British actors woth Brotish accents to play the villains. It always sounds better to them.

[@harrymail7]

@@lydhavet-music Yeah I know Nolan is British aswell. It's a common thing for a villain in films aimed towards the US to have a Brotish accent. It sounds more exotic and intimidating to them.

[@keretaman]

@@lydhavet-music yea but compared with this, Bale is british and does an american accent.

[@Matthew-ve7uv]

Jesus Harry you keep changing what you say and acting as if you aren't. Have some shame, man.

[@paulflint6254]

TDKR is the best film out of the trilogy

[@alansmith4655]

DOCTORWHO ISGR8 Nah.

[@codyrw8397]

@ARYAN KAUSHIK D MB11589 NO

[@codyrw8397]

@ARYAN KAUSHIK D MB11589 Fair enough 😊

[@es80es]

Amazing movie! Going to see it for the second time tonight in NYC at midnight, in IMAX!

[@Mehbz]

I ABSOLUTELY ADORED IT! One thing Mark fails to mention is the beautiful moral situations the characters find themselves in, which engage the audience and ask us, what would you do?! WHO WOULD YOU WANT TO BECOME?! WHAT WOULD YOU SACRIFICE?!! Utterly stupendous film making. Utterly.

[@OscarHarding]

What a great, insightful and passionate review! I wish he'd made more of a comment on the characters/actors, but... wow. What a film!

[@Kallesanus]

Mark is awesome

[@saad2641]

it was exactly what we had been waiting for :)

[@swordsaint99]

fantastic review

[@Goochbot]

I preferred it to TDK and BB. I loved the atmosphere and there's more emotional weight to it in comparison to the other films, and it wasn't in constant climax mode that TDK was ( I do love TDK though). Also that ending, was perfect.

[@braggyreyes]

tdkr was awesome, those who havent seen it, see it for urselves, its great, you be the judge, i give 10 of 10 stars!

[@Sumkillerbee]

Fantastic review

[@cfwbdude]

Top review as always Mr M Kermode.

[@RADMANRB]

This is the most genuine review of this movie on youtube. He actually gets what this movie was supposed to be. Lots of people that didnt like this movie didnt like it because its not the dark knight 2. People really need to look at this movie as a character piece because in that regard,its one of the best comic movies ever made, and in terms of the character of batman and portraying the greatness and depth ofhis character,this is the best film of the trilogy. Its not perfect, but it getsthe char

[@RobAyling]

Just went and saw The Dark Knight Rises at the BFI IMAX - I thought it was incredible! Just an amazing way to finish an amazing trilogy. Nolan - You have done us Bat-Fans proud :)

[@guybaxendale]

Hoping to go on Sunday night. Not been looking forward to a film this much for ages

[@Superfurness1]

Going today,can't wait :D

[@PantheonLincoln]

I've just started watching this video, having just come back from seeing The Dark Knight rIses, and I agree with Kermode's comments on the Burton Batmans being a bit panto. I found the 1989 Batman flick VERY overrated. Nolan's trilogy pulls a weird trick of seeming radically different to the original comics, yet they're closer than you think when you dig deeper.

[@enigma19833]

I LOVED the film, but the ending wasn't "open to interpretation" in the slightest! It was completely clear and spelled-out and totally unambiguous. Unless you want to go the "Alfred was hallucinating/daydreaming/imagining Bruce and Selena in Italy at the end" route, of course. But it's a pretty big stretch and not really supported by anything else in the film.

[@chrishiggins7166]

The film is well acted, well crafted, stylish, effective, well directed & is overall one of the best Batman films if not the best. (93%) (4.5/5 stars) (positive)

[@davidian3412]

I re-watched the Dark Knight trilogy recently with my daughter and we agreed that it is a masterwork.

[@Gokulio]

Great review by Mark. Nolan's Dark Knight triolgy, imo, is the greatest trilogy of all time.

[@nicoladavies1848]

Yep my fave too

[@allofthepoints9636]

The Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy

[@blubido]

In my opinion one of the best reviews you have ever made, i havem t seen the movie yet but i will watch after this positif critic . Keep showing these reviews on your channel. I also would like to know what s your perfect movie 10/10 (if there is)

[@magisterguidice]

I saw this in 35mm and am seeing it again in Imax. I was stunned and tolerated gripped while watching it. Mark Kermode thanks for reviewing the film and at the same time giving a unique critical appraisal of The Dark Knight Rises in terms of Nolan's other works. I eagerly await his next film . The only thing going against Inception was that Shutter Island came out around the same time and was thematically similar-both films revolve around the lead character's experience of grief and loss.

[@connormcleod9595]

Superb film and superb ending to a great triology

[@Totes1829]

That was an intelligent review! enjoyed it plus the movie is Amazing!

[@FilmingMiller]

great review

[@eddah123]

The amount of gesticulation in this video is amazing.

[@themadmathematician3]

Kermode is clearly wrong about the ending being ambigous, right? Spoiler warning. We are both shown that Fox discovers that the autopilot was fixed and that the pearl necklace, Selina was wearing, had gone missing. Did Caine imagine these things as well? Also in the entire trilogy we have not been shown unreliable images other than when characters were clearly medicated. And questioning what is real or not is not a central theme of the movie.

[@SuperLaney81]

Best of the 3. Period.

[@onepiecefan74]

Thank you so much for this great review. Don't mean to spoil but I thought I was the only one who thought the ending was kind of inception like. Nice to see someone so smart agrees with that.

[@robertcooper457]

It's an amazing spectacle if you don't think too deeply about it.

[@keithspringston9283]

I also liked this more than the dark knight. It was more exciting to watch I thought. I thought bane was scarier than the joker.

[@supersatanic]

It was quite nice. It had more substance than the avengers.

[@DariushUFC1985]

will in 2 days. i can't wait! was the first fight between batman and bane as good as they say?

[@joshyposhesq7893]

Kermode Rules, he told Spielberg about seeing Jaws in Turnpike lane, I remember that cinema, love your reviews, top dog critic!!!

[@blennerville2]

Better paced film compared to Dark Knight. I enjoyed it more and had more fun.

[@Fondrom]

An intelligent review, its clear he knows his stuff whereas other reviewers, especially the American ones make little lame jokes with someone laughing along on their video, complain about 'plotholes' when they're easily justified

[@JasonVoorhees6661]

I agree, love Mark's voice, that laugh gets me every time, ledgers laughed when he needed to. Hamil doing why so serious in a convention was fantastic, ledgers is my fave live action joker, just because of the unpredictable factor, and this screen presence he brought with him. It does not have to stay true completely looks wise origins is always different for the joker,, but if the essence of the character is there, it will kick ass. And that what the joker was always about,

[@barbaricdestroyer]

mark kermode is spot on with this review great to see someone who understands the film so well and understands nolan

[@coreyristic9234]

I enjoyed The Dark Knight more. I thought Heath Ledger’s Joker was a better villain than Bane. Rises is a good film but isn’t in the same league as Dark Knight.

[@SB992REBORN]

NOW THIS IS WHY I LOVE THE BRITISH!!!! US AMERICANS, WE TAKE EVERYTHING FOR GRANTED AND IT'S STUPID!!! BUT BRITISH PEOPLE CAN LOOK AT A FILM, BIG OR SMALL, AND RECOGNIZE WHAT A MASTERPIECE IT REALLY IS LIKE WE ALL SHOULD BE DOING RIGHT NOW!!! FILM IS NOT JUST A PIECE OF ENTERTAINMENT OR A MERE ENJOYMENT TO BE HAD OR A GIMIC, IT IS AN ART.... A CREATIVE ART THAT MORE PEOPLE SHOULD BE HAPPY THAT IT WAS EVEN MADE! IF YOU CAN'T APPRECIATE MOVIES LIKE THIS, THEN YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF.....

[@MrBrownstone8881]

wow, that was a great review

[@merdiolu]

Great review. Mark Kermode sees quality in film making when he recognizes it.

[@kermodeandmayo]

Isn't the French for toilet 'toilette'?

[@mrbrandonmartin388]

It blows my mind that people are willing to look over the major, and i mean MAJOR problems with DKR but they are so whinny over the reboot of Spider-man. While i do love DRK, The Amazing Spider-man was a great movie and so enjoyable.

[@tomyelhacker]

Great review. Kermode is awesome.

[@cheevo99]

so glad mark kermode gave this a raving review,as it deserves.i always agreed with his views on many films before.i think the reason people didnt like rises,is because they didnt get it.they didnt understand what nolan was trying to achieve.the ones who didnt like it,were maybe expecting more of a super hero extravaganza,like the avengers.they didnt see how in depth it was to show the complexity of the characters or understand how the end was what everyones own interpretation of it would be.

[@Survivethejive]

inception was lame

[@smittenthekitteninmittens2679]

+Survive the Jive........what a well thought out and articulate critique!!......you should do it as a job!

[@theanmolsharma4094]

greatest superhero film EVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[@tanory07]

I've loved batman since the first time I've seen him; I've bought every game, seen almost every show, and read everything I can about batman. I loved the first two movies so much-they were amazing, I got goosebumps, something I never expected, and I wanted so much. When I saw the new trailer for this movie, I got chills, I was so happy, I pre-ordered the tickets, sat down and got giggly preparing for the movie, and watching it, it looked good. But at the end, I just, it didn't lead up to my hype

[@blennerville2]

The review of this and the Dark Knight are among just the very few of Marks reviews i think are good.

[@JapanJohnny2012]

i found it bloated and convoluted, a nolan hallmark.

[@tomcroucher]

Saw this last night, blown away! Bane was unaudible at times and I saw it in an IMAX screen, but other than that perfect

[@CinematicMaj]

BB is my favorite too. For many reasons.

[@RareBirdGames]

It's very mediocre, watching the second time was incredibly boring.

[@Hoscitt]

Easily the weakest of the trilogy

[@youngsandwichgaming9071]

Nah, definitely a better film than begins

[@acledfloyd]

I loved the movie, it is an epic. I have also seen lots of reviews of it, but this one makes me want to go and watch it again, right now. So bravo to you Mr. Reviewer.

[@DanielMorgan1]

I have become a huge Chris Nolan fan over the past few years. I struggle to recall any of his films that were below 8/10. Memento, the prestige, inception and the dark knight trilogy are some of my all-time favourites. I agree with doctor K with regard to his sense of satisfaction from seeing it, especially due to the fact that the other 2 has set such a high bench mark. This one did seem slightly detached from the others in my opinion but still overwhelmingly a success for me! Awesome!!!

[@Satan97458]

The Dark Knight Rises = Best Movie Ever

[@Misiulo]

Okay, okay. We got it. everything Nolan is the bestest ever.

[@IvanKroloCroGeek0424]

Yeah I can totally understand that, also with every Nolan film from Begins to Rises (including Inception), you have to watch them all multiple times to get everything out of it and to completely understand it all.

[@sciencelover7582]

lmaooo every time chris nolan's name is mentioned inception goes alongside it

[@mrawesome669]

Batman Begins 9/10 The Dark Knight 10/10 The Dark Knight Rises 7/10

[@gamerguy8476]

Dark Knight rises underrated af

[@adnauseum77]

How is the ending is up for any kind of interpretation? Any idea?

[@mannylee1983]

Christopher Nolan paying them back in “Spades”.....good one.

[@cheevo99]

thats a fair point but you have to question,where did he bail out,how did he not drown when he did and how do we know he was safely outside the blast radius?thats the way i looked at it.

[@MrKarlSync]

Watched this on its UK release night, the cinema i watched this in had a pretty bad surround system so alot of the dialogue I had a trouble understanding, for whats its worth I enjoyed it but will just have to wait until its bluray dvd release, then watch all 3.

[@dee85ist]

Yes so true, you have to watch this film a second time too really love it, i did.

[@LoneCloudHopper]

I felt the same as Kermode. This was the Batman film that I've ALWAYS wanted to see. I'm not saying that it's perfect, or as good as The Dark Knight, but I enjoyed this one more and I can't wait to get it on DVD. For me, Nolan came through! :)

[@PeteBeast]

SPOILER: The only thing I disagree with is an open ending. I believe it is very clear that Batman lives at the end.

[@frenchkids]

I understood every word of Bane's dialogue. Being prepared to listen carefully really helps.

[@F1brawfa]

The ending of this movie was so strong that last shot of batman it was just epic