THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

CAROLINE: I’m sorry I didn’t get to screen it with you.

RYAN: Me too.  You would have loved it. It’s such a good film and a great end to this franchise.  Prior to The Avengers, The Dark Knight was the big heavy-hitter among comic book movies.

CAROLINE: How does this compare to The Avengers?

RYAN: It’s a better film.  It’s smarter, sleeker, better made.  The Avengers was exciting and fun.  The Dark Knight Rises is exciting and Oscar worthy!

CAROLINE: Well the last won did see a win for sound editing and also for the late Heath Ledger four years ago. Who stood out in this one?

RYAN: Michael Caine was brilliant as Alfred and I’m gonna say it: Anne Hathaway killed it.  I was a little worried about her casting choice since in the previous Nolan Batmans, Katie Holmes and Maggie Gyllenhaal were not right.

CAROLINE: Annie worked it as Catwoman?

RYAN: One hundred percent.  She’s considered more cute than sexy in Hollywood and she had to overcome that in this movie.  And she did.  She’s hot in this role.  Her pivotal scene is her first in the film and she nails it.

CAROLINE: How’s the action?

RYAN: It’s incredible.  The movie opens with a truly original, heart-pumping scene.  And from there on – every action scene is awesome.  And the story really does justice to the trilogy.  I even got a little misty-eyed at the end.

CAROLINE: Stop!  Did you cry?

RYAN: Almost.  The ending is perfect.

CAROLINE: Wow.  How was Tom Hardy as the bad guy?

RYAN: He plays Bane and he’s great.  I can’t believe how juiced he was in this – you don’t really recognize him.

CAROLINE: How annoying was Christian Bale’s Batman voice?

RYAN: It’s not as bad in this installment.  It didn’t annoy me at all, actually, and it always had in the previous movies.  The annoying voice here belongs to Tom Hardy.  It’s cool and appropriate but also a little difficult to understand.

CAROLINE: What’s with that thing on his face?

RYAN: You have to see the movie to get it.  I don’t want to give anything away but I will give you that there are many satisfying moments in this film.

CAROLINE: That’s so great to hear.  I know you also love Marion Cotillard.  How was she?

RYAN: I do seriously love her and she’s excellent.  She could be cast in any role anytime and I’d be happy.  I also really liked Joseph Gordon-Levitt.  He’s, like, the new Shia LaBeouf.

CAROLINE: As opposed to the real Shia LaBeouf?

RYAN: They’re the same type and Joseph’s a little easier on the eyes, LBH, let’s be honest.

CAROLINE: True.  So how’s does the length feel?

RYAN: It’s two hours and forty five minutes.  Twenty could have easily been cut.  It’s a very long movie and might benefit from a trim but it’s hard to criticize this film when it’s really such a masterpiece.

CAROLINE: How about the design?

RYAN: It’s genius.  The costumes, bat-rides, sets and effects are all meticulous.  The bat-mo-cycle is so cool I actually audibly reacted when it would make a turn.

CAROLINE: And it’s not being released in 3D.

RYAN: I didn’t miss it but I did see this in IMAX and was perturbed that only some scenes and shots were in IMAX.  It cuts between widescreen and IMAX and that’s distracting.  I’d say just see it on a regular screen if you can.

CAROLINE: Fair enough.

RYAN: I don’t want to spoil anything but because of some plot lines, only half of the film really feels like a Batman movie.  And that doesn’t matter.  This is a great script expertly realized; and a terrific end to a very strong trilogy.  I wouldn’t mind a spin-off.