The Dark Knight Rises

I have to say, despite a nearly three-hour running time, The Dark Knight Rises manages to not overstay its welcome. Unfortunately, it also never rises to meet the potential set up by director/writer Christopher Nolan’s first two entries in his Batman trilogy. If you’re content with turning off the brain and coasting on spectacle and nostalgia, then it probably will deliver. But if you require a competent narrative to go along with the eye candy, then Nolan’s innate weakness as a writer will consistently hobble the show. While inarguably a gifted stylist, Nolan’s scripts are notoriously full of plotholes big enough to flip an 18-wheeler. And here there are more than a few times when the story makes outrageous jumps. I mean, just exactly what was the villainous plot supposed to achieve? Roll in a neutron bomb that’s set to go off in five months? The waiting period just seems like a lazy way of giving breathing room to another plot point. Long-story-short: the sporadic action is entertainingly action-y, although delivered without inspiration. The Dark Knight Rises isn’t a bad time. It’s just not a good movie. Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated PG-13