Movie Review: 'The Dark Knight Rises' up to the challenge

CLEVELAND - Usually when you go to the movies to see a sequel, you go in with a certain expectation or understanding that the movie you're about to see, just may ruin an entire series. But when it comes to the "The Dark Knight Rises," the sequel definitely doesn't disappoint.

All you could hear coming out of the theater was an applause along with "That was a good movie."

I'm not really a DC or Marvel expert. In fact, I felt a little out of place waiting for the movie to start. I was listening to folks around me talk about whether or not Captain America's outfit stayed the same in the last couple of movies.

Nonetheless, I love action and I loved the last two "Dark Knight" movies. I, like everyone else in the theater, was anxiously anticipating "The Dark Knight Rises" and jumped at an opportunity to catch a special media preview at the Regal Richmond Town Square.

The "Dark Knight Rises" has all of the excitement and unexpected plot twists and turns you could ever hope for. It isn't a sappy, happy ending type of movie either. You see Batman fail, yet keep trying.

You start off with an airplane scene that's incredible. It's amazing for me to think, someone thought the scene out and then made it come alive on screen. Whether that can really happen or not is another story, but the scene itself introduces you to Bane. Unlike other "Batman" movies, Bane is very intelligent in "The Dark Knight Rises," instead of a big bulldozer with no brains that we've seen before.

One of my favorite things about the movie is the subtle introductions to original Batman characters. Bane, I must say, is not one to mess with. Some scenes will make you cringe and wince as if he was punching you and not Batman.

Catwoman is more of a 'Cat' burglar as some of you may already know. I'm not quite sure how the character is portrayed in different movies and the original series, but in the "Dark Knight Rises," you sympathize with her character, even after all of the terrible things she does. I enjoyed how producers incorporated her cat ears into the costume. As for who plays best Catwoman, Halle Berry or Anne Hathaway? That'll have to be for viewers to decide.

The Cleveland reference in the movie was fun to hear and got a few giggles in the audience.

I thought it was an excellent and well-produced movie overall, but don't get me wrong, there were a few disappointing parts, like the fact that you can immediately tell the movie was shot in Manhattan. I spent two years working there and was able to spot the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges in scenes right away. Each NYC-shot scene stuck out like a sour thumb after that (and there are plenty). For me, it was a distraction from the movie. Gotham's subway system is even called the MTA, which is the same in New York City.

Secondly, I'll be disappointed if this really is the last "Dark Knight" movie. The movie leaves you satisfied. It leaves you excited that it met and went beyond your expectations. The ending leaves plenty of room for a fourth "Dark Knight" sequel and makes you want to look forward to that as well.

In terms of what happens in the end, who Batman falls in love with, who betrays who, I can tell you this - whatever you go into the movie thinking, guessing or predicting won't matter. You'll be surprised by the ending and still be satisfied that some of your guesses were right too.

Enjoy!