The Dark Knight Rises and falls

This undated film image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Christian Bale as Batman in a scene from the action thriller “The Dark Knight Rises.” A gunman in a gas mask barged into a crowded Denver-area theater during a midnight premiere of the Batman movie on Friday, July 20, 2012, hurled a gas canister and then opened fire, killing 12 people and injuring at least 50 others in one of the deadliest mass shootings in recent U.S. history. (AP Photo/Warner Bros. Pictures, Ron Phillips)

With expectations high and an emotionally charged atmosphere, I made my way to see a showing of The Dark Knight Rises. I had anticipated a jaw-dropping, heart-wrenching tear jerker but I came out disappointed having instead received a predictable and superficial Hollywood film.

There is no question that the first two Batman movies in this famous trilogy surpassed the quality of the third and final leg.

Extreme plot twists occurred too frequently, leaving the audience feeling as if the plot of the movie was constantly changing. This also gave the movie a corny or cheesy feel even though it was evidently attempting a dark and somber atmosphere.

The cast did not disappoint as Tom Hardy, Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Gary Oldman gave stellar performances. It was most certainly an entertaining and interesting movie but it definitely lacked something.

The villain was one only known by die-hard Batman fans. Even someone who hasn’t read any of the comics has heard of the Joker, Cat Woman or even Two Face. But the masked villain Bane proved to be a simple yet terrifying and truly evil character.

Moviegoers should expect an intriguing two and a half hours. I recommend seeing the film as it is definitely worth the time and money but keep in mind to expect nothing like the first two movies.

The City of Gotham experienced a societal downfall similar to the state of the world today. An utter feeling of despair and lack of optimism was prevalent in most characters of the movie except the heroes who always had to hope for and work towards a happy ending.

I had anticipated that in the light of the Aurora shootings, this movie would convey a truly meaningful message and lesson about the evils and corruption of society so that these deaths and injuries would not be in vain.

 Read related: “Dark Knight Rises” shooter James Holmes: A matter of mental health?

If 12 people were to die because of a movie, I expect that film would do something to change society for the better and make it impossible for incidents like this to happen again. Whether this movie can make a difference in such a way has yet to be determined.

Police officers and security patrol were placed throughout the theater I attended (Coconut Grove Paragon Theater), which only served to remind the audience of the tragedy that had occurred because of this movie. I did feel safer knowing that some measures of safety were being taken to prevent another similar tragedy.

I can only hope that every theater playing this movie did the same in an attempt to protect innocent lives.

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