The Dark Knight Rises / L'Ascension du chavalier noir (Bilingual) [Blu-ray + DVD]

VIDEO:

The Dark Knight Rises arrives at blu ray with MPEG-4 AVC 1080p 2.40 and 1.78 (Imax sequence). A few words about its predecessor The Dark Knight: Although its transfer earned top marks, however, contrast was raised to detail-quashing extremes, colour boosted, and severe edge halos littered the image. Thankfully, the transfer of the Dark Knight Rises did not suffer the same fate. Cinematographer Wally Pfister's wind-swept Gotham palette is rich, satisfying and gorgeous. Warm hues adorn the decadent homes of the city's elite, dusty desert colours blanket Bruce's stint in prison, and crisp white snow falls on a captive Gotham. Colours are positively radiant at times. Black levels are deep and inky. Detail is nothing short of extraordinary. Edges are sharp and natural and fine textures are well resolved and revealing (particularly during the film's IMAX sequences). (5/5)

AUDIO:

The real showpiece of The Dark Knight Rises is its sternum-splitting, rib-cracking, ground-pounding DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. While it obviously isn't as thunderous or jaw-dropping as its IMAX counterpart, it still boasts remarkable power, prowess and presence. The opening hijack scene is worth the cost of admission alone. Hans Zimmer's score is simply enveloping and invigorating. Dialogue is clear. It is a great soundtrack to enhance the video. (5/5)

MOVIE:

Christopher Nolan and his creative inner circle -- co-writer David S. Goyer, co-writer Jonathan Nolan, producing partner Emma Thomas, cinematographer Wally Pfister, composer Hans Zimmer, and many more -- finally concludes their Batman saga. A journey begun nearly a decade ago, Batman Begins marked a new, dare we say, serious era of the super hero film. Grounded and ultra-real. The Dark Knight followed as a high concept crime drama. The Dark Knight Rises picks up some eight years after the previous film. Suffering from all his crime-fighting injuries, Bruce Wayne became a recluse, locked away in the east wing of his rebuilt manor. When a new terrorist -- the monstrous Bane, who has ties to the League of Shadows -- threatens Gotham City, Wayne, despite his wanted murderer status, will don his cape and cowl once more. This film really showed the human element and vulnerability of Bruce Wayne, being beaten soundly by the monstrous Bane. In the end, The Dark Knight Rises is a fun, larger-than-life movie and, in many ways, a fitting end to Mr. Nolan's trilogy. (movie: 4.5/5)

TRIVIA:

It has an estimated budget of $250 million, but earned $1,078 million worldwide. It is currently sitting at 7th place in the Worldwide Box Office Chart, behind Avatar, Titanic, The Avengers, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 2, Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. This is quite an achievement.

PACKAGING:

This combo contains 2 blu ray (BD-50) discs: one for the Feature Film and the other Special Features. There is also a standard DVD, plus instructions to get the Dark Knight Rises FX App to sync with the blu ray disc and to unlock exclusive content!

PRICES:

When The Dark Knight Rises was first announced, the price was $27.99. Later, the price moved up to $34.99, but thankfully, as the release date drew nearer, the price miraculously dropped to $26.99, and finally $22.97!!!! A definite best-buy!

FINAL THOUGHTS:

The Dark Knight Rises is an exciting, epic movie and, for the most part, a fitting end to the Nolan Batman era. In the past, I bought the Gift set of the Dark Knight mainly because of the toy: the two fat wheeled Bat-cycle. The Gift set for the Dark Knight Rises is not as appealing. I also do not recommend the Dark Knight Trilogy Limited Edition set because it contained only the three bare-bone movies. I am sure The Dark Knight Trilogy: Ultimate Collector’s Edition will be released next year. But for this blu ray combo, with The Price of only $22.97 is definitely Right, and order the Dark Knight Rises now before the Price Rises after releases. Of course, the Dark Knight Rises is highly recommended.

I hope the above review is helpful to you.

This is the best movie in the entire series. So many unexpected twists and turns in this movie to keep you engaged. The characters play their parts exceptionally well. Cat woman is a life saver. A must own if you have followed any of the series. I hope there is a Robin sequel in the works!

Amazing finale to the trilogy!! I love it and could watch it again and again. Everyone should see this movie!!