BLU-RAY REVIEW

Dark Knight Rises, The

Featured In Issue 172, December 2012

Picture4
Sound5
WSR Score5
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
Warner Home Video
(Catalog Number):
3000044559
(MPAA Rating):
PG-13
(Rating Reason):
Intense sequences of violence and action, some sexuality and language
(Retail Price):
$35.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
No
(Running Time In Minutes):
165
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
Not Indicated
(Theatrical Year):
2012
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
12/04/12
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
No
(Director):
Christopher Nolan
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS HD Lossless 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(French Language):
(Spanish Language):
(Chinese Language):
(Subtitles):
(Cantonese Language):
(Mandarin Language):
(Japanese Language):
(Italian Language):
(German Language):
(Portuguese Language):

"The Dark Knight Rises" is the conclusion of the epic "Batman" trilogy. Eight years after the events of "The Dark Knight," the terrorist leader Bane (Hardy) arrives in Gotham City, pushing it and its police force to their limits, forcing its former hero Batman (Bale) to resurface after taking the fall for Harvey Dent's crimes. (Gary Reber)

Included in the three-disc set are two Blu-rays and a DVD. On the Blu-ray featuring the movie the only special feature is Second Screen, where you can sync "The Dark Knight Rises" FX app with the Blu-ray Disc to unlock exclusive content. The Special Features Disc includes "The Batmobile" (HD 58:17), with all five Batmobiles together for the first time; "Ending The Knight" with the chapters "Production," which includes "The Prologue: High-Altitude Hijacking" (HD 07:52), "Return To The Batcave" (HD 03:37), "Beneath Gotham" (HD 02:34), "The Bat" (HD 11:08), "Batman Vs. Bane" (HD 06:07), "Armory Accepted" (HD 03:19), "Gameday Destruction" (HD 06:44), "Demolishing A City Street" (HD 04:15), "The Pit" (HD 03:04), "The Chant" (HD 05:19), "The War On Wall Street" (HD 06:40), and "Race To The Reactor" (HD 07:52); "Characters" that features "The Journey Of Bruce Wayne" (HD 08:53), "Gotham's Reckoning" (HD 10:05), and "A Girl's Gotta Eat" (HD 09:26); and "Reflections" featuring "Shadows & Light In Large Format" (HD 05:37) and "The End Of A Legend" (HD 09:04); a trailer archive with four trailers; a Print Campaign Art Gallery; and an UltraViolet digital copy.

The 1080p AVC picture seamlessly shifts between traditionally filmed sequences presented at 2.40:1 and 70 mm IMAX scenes presented at 1.78:1. The picture was shot in various scenes in IMAX, Panavision Super 70, and VistaVision. Cinematographer Wally Pfister's film palette is intensely contrasted and density rendered, with fully saturated hues that convey warmth and richness. The feel is that of a dark red wine filtered throughout. Fleshtones are generally natural in appearance, though, on occasion they appear orange. Black levels are intense, if not at times crushed, with wanting shadow delineation. Resolution is excellent, though, the darker scenes veil the nuances in facial features, hair, clothing, and object texture. While not a perfect presentation, the cinematic essence is impressive and visually enthralling. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is a power of dynamic intensity and deep, extended sub-25 Hz .1 LFE bass energy. This energy is infectious throughout, as Gotham City erupts in devastating explosions and firepower. The surrounds are effectively directionalized, which enhances the spatial dimensionality of the soundfield. The orchestral music score manages to nicely complement both the intense and quiet scenes with nuanced timbre clarity. Dialogue sounds natural and exaggerated as a character statement. The overall impression is one of thunderous prowess that will thrill viewers. (Gary Reber)