The Dark Night Rises is very intense and its several significant plot twists keeps you on the edge of your seat. Despite being less dark and grim than the last Batman movie, the film illuminates the social issues in Gotham as well as the personal challenges the characters face.

The action is exhilarating and Batman’s technology, such as his incredible motorcycles and flying car, make the confrontations even more exciting.

This third installment of the Batman trilogy begins with Bruce Wayne (Batman) still isolated and in hiding eight years after the second movie in which he was cast by the city of Gotham as a villain and murderer. With a great deal of coaxing by those closest to him, as well as an insightful young detective named Blake, along with the emergence of the powerful and mysterious criminal, Bane, threatening to destroy Gotham, Wayne finally decides to return to society and resurrect Batman.

When there aren’t any battles, great drama between the characters, new and old, keep the movie enthralling. There’s even a love triangle surfaces between Batman, Miranda, an investor in his failing company who he puts his trust in, and Cat Woman.

When I first learned Anne Hathaway would be playing Cat Woman, I was uncertain how well she would fit the character. But Hathaway pounced perfectly into the bold role and dominated the screen with an amazing and entertaining performance.

Christian Bale does very well portraying a broken hero revived, while Bane, played by Tom Hardy, is the new villain, forced to wear a ghastly mask because of childhood injuries and possessing as much fighting skill as Batman.

Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman return as Batman’s allies, Commissioner Gordon and Lucius Fox, while Joseph Gordon-Levitt as detective Blake, who shares Batman’s troubled upbringing and passion for fighting crime, becomes a new one.

Overall, The Dark Knight Rises is a stellar conclusion to the Batman series. The storyline is complex and gripping although there are a few confusing and unexplained moments. The action-packed film holds plenty of drama and thrilling scenes.

Those who enjoyed the previous two Batman movies will undoubtedly relish this third addition to Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy.

Note: My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families touched by the tragedy that took place in Aurora, Colorado at the premier of this film there.

Aran Kirschenmann, 15, is a contributing writer for the Bellevue Reporter and a sophomore at The International School in Bellevue. You may reach and connect with her on her Facebook page “The Young Critic.”