The Dark Knight Rises ****

"The Dark Knight Rises" delivers on multiple levels with a larger-than-life peril to Gotham, an aging Batman ending his voluntary exile for one last heroic effort, stunning and expressive photography (much of it in IMAX), top quality performances from top-drawer talent, and white-knuckle action sequences featuring Christopher Nolan's trademark live action over CGI.

Of the actors, I have no favorite, but I particularly liked Anne Hathaway as the brilliant and coldly calculating cat burglar Selina Kyle looking for a second chance. I was disappointed that Tom Hardy as the evil Bane had a mask even more obscuring of his acting talent than the Batman costume. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, a bit older and more mature now, was superb as the orphan who became a cop, and who hopefully has a future in the franchise. Marion Cotillard drew me in hook, line, and sinker as Wayne Enterprises board member Miranda Tate. Christian Bale made me feel every creaky and damaged joint that results from a crime-fighting career without using guns. And of course Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, and Morgan Freeman delivered as usual. It is truly remarkable that Nolan is able to assemble such talent, write such compelling parts, and elicit such impressive performances from his cast. This movie is a highlight of a really good year.