The Dark Knight Rises directed by Christopher Nolan
Nolan, C. (director). (2012). The dark knight rises [Motion picture]. United States: Warner Brothers.
Plot Summary
It has been eight years since Harvey Dent aka ‘Two Face’ died. Batman aka Bruce Wayne has disappeared and Bruce has become a recluse. Selina Kyle, a professional burglar manages to obtain Bruce’s fingerprints, kidnap a politician, and disappear. She delivers the fingerprints to one of Bruce’s rivals. While pursuing the kidnappers, Detective Gordon is captured by a masked man named Bane. Gordon is able to escape and is rescued by a young, idealistic police officer John Blake. Bane uses the fingerprints from Selina to gain access to Bruce’s bank accounts, and bankrupts him. Bruce has board member Miranda Tate take charge of Wayne Enterprises and then leaves to confront Bane who quickly defeats Bruce and leaves him in a foreign prison underground. While Bruce begins training, Bane has taken over Gotham City. Bruce manages to escape, and an epic battle between Bane, Miranda, Selina, Batman, and the City of Gotham begins.
Critical Evaluation
The Dark Knight Rises continues the theme from the first two Batman films, that Batman is not a typical hero. Like the title implies, Batman is a knight, but a dark one who is battling not only evil in the world, but his own inner emotions and demons. The warring roles Batman faces are what make him such an intriguing character and protagonist. Even though it can be safely assumed that Batman survives and Gotham is saved, the journey there is fraught with danger, intricate details, some confusing plot points, and more than a few surprises. Unlike other superhero movies, there is no guarantee Batman will remain unscathed, and Batman does not have dark undertones, it is simply dark. The first two movies are also necessary to fully understand The Dark Knight Rises. Viewers unfamiliar to the Batman comic universe will also occasionally find themselves becoming muddled in the complicated Wayne Enterprise takeover, the rise of Bane, and Bruce’s struggle in the well dungeon. Despite these numerous parallel stories, or perhaps because of them, the final Batman movie is a brutal, violent, but amazing story that fully completes, and more than satisfies, the Batman trilogy. In the final moments of the film, when police officer John Blake reveals his first name is Robin, the general atmosphere and mood lightened. Batman and Robin are a team, and Robin brings some lightness to the dark world of Batman.
Reader’s Annotation
The conclusion to the Dark Knight Trilogy, Batman finds himself coming out of retirement to battle his most difficult villain yet, Bane.
About the Author (Director)
Christopher Nolan created his first short film at seven. While in college, Nolan joined the film society and created more shorts. His major film debut was a small-budget, black-and-white named Following. Nolan directed more psychological thrillers until 2005 when he agreed to direct Batman Begins. The last several years have seen Nolan become a well-respected director with Inception and the Batman trilogy. He has been nominated for three Oscars.
Christopher Nolan was born July 30, 1970 in London, England to an American mother and British father. He traveled between England the United States while growing up, but attended University College London as an English major. Nolan is married to Emma Thomas, a producer of his films, and has four children. He has dual UK and US citizenship.
Genre
Superhero/Comic book Adaptation
Curriculum Ties
N/A
Booktalking
Is Batman a hero or anti-hero?
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: N/A
IL: 5th grade and up
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include violence.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for DVD inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a DVD is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the DVD fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire DVD was viewed, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have listened to the DVD and either enjoyed or disliked the DVD and why.
Why Included
The Dark Knight Trilogy is one of the most successful trilogies and comic book adaptations. The third film was just released last year, and is an excellent addition to a young adult’s movie collection.
Others in the Series
Batman Begins (Film #1)
The Dark Knight (Film #2)
References
A + E Networks. (2013). Christopher Nolan. Retrieved from http://www.biography.com/people/christopher-nolan-20881457?page=1
Nolan, C. (director). (2012). The dark knight rises [Motion picture]. United States: Warner Brothers.
Plot Summary
It has been eight years since Harvey Dent aka ‘Two Face’ died. Batman aka Bruce Wayne has disappeared and Bruce has become a recluse. Selina Kyle, a professional burglar manages to obtain Bruce’s fingerprints, kidnap a politician, and disappear. She delivers the fingerprints to one of Bruce’s rivals. While pursuing the kidnappers, Detective Gordon is captured by a masked man named Bane. Gordon is able to escape and is rescued by a young, idealistic police officer John Blake. Bane uses the fingerprints from Selina to gain access to Bruce’s bank accounts, and bankrupts him. Bruce has board member Miranda Tate take charge of Wayne Enterprises and then leaves to confront Bane who quickly defeats Bruce and leaves him in a foreign prison underground. While Bruce begins training, Bane has taken over Gotham City. Bruce manages to escape, and an epic battle between Bane, Miranda, Selina, Batman, and the City of Gotham begins.
Critical Evaluation
The Dark Knight Rises continues the theme from the first two Batman films, that Batman is not a typical hero. Like the title implies, Batman is a knight, but a dark one who is battling not only evil in the world, but his own inner emotions and demons. The warring roles Batman faces are what make him such an intriguing character and protagonist. Even though it can be safely assumed that Batman survives and Gotham is saved, the journey there is fraught with danger, intricate details, some confusing plot points, and more than a few surprises. Unlike other superhero movies, there is no guarantee Batman will remain unscathed, and Batman does not have dark undertones, it is simply dark. The first two movies are also necessary to fully understand The Dark Knight Rises. Viewers unfamiliar to the Batman comic universe will also occasionally find themselves becoming muddled in the complicated Wayne Enterprise takeover, the rise of Bane, and Bruce’s struggle in the well dungeon. Despite these numerous parallel stories, or perhaps because of them, the final Batman movie is a brutal, violent, but amazing story that fully completes, and more than satisfies, the Batman trilogy. In the final moments of the film, when police officer John Blake reveals his first name is Robin, the general atmosphere and mood lightened. Batman and Robin are a team, and Robin brings some lightness to the dark world of Batman.
Reader’s Annotation
The conclusion to the Dark Knight Trilogy, Batman finds himself coming out of retirement to battle his most difficult villain yet, Bane.
About the Author (Director)
Christopher Nolan created his first short film at seven. While in college, Nolan joined the film society and created more shorts. His major film debut was a small-budget, black-and-white named Following. Nolan directed more psychological thrillers until 2005 when he agreed to direct Batman Begins. The last several years have seen Nolan become a well-respected director with Inception and the Batman trilogy. He has been nominated for three Oscars.
Christopher Nolan was born July 30, 1970 in London, England to an American mother and British father. He traveled between England the United States while growing up, but attended University College London as an English major. Nolan is married to Emma Thomas, a producer of his films, and has four children. He has dual UK and US citizenship.
Genre
Superhero/Comic book Adaptation
Curriculum Ties
N/A
Booktalking
Is Batman a hero or anti-hero?
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: N/A
IL: 5th grade and up
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include violence.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for DVD inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a DVD is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the DVD fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire DVD was viewed, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have listened to the DVD and either enjoyed or disliked the DVD and why.
Why Included
The Dark Knight Trilogy is one of the most successful trilogies and comic book adaptations. The third film was just released last year, and is an excellent addition to a young adult’s movie collection.
Others in the Series
Batman Begins (Film #1)
The Dark Knight (Film #2)
References
A + E Networks. (2013). Christopher Nolan. Retrieved from http://www.biography.com/people/christopher-nolan-20881457?page=1
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