History Awesome / TheDarkKnightRises

[[caption-width-right:350:Bane crashing aforementioned plane.]]

* Batman Vs. Bane is probably one of the most epic [[BossFight boss fights]] in film history. The rematch doubly so for Batman: After regaining his fear of death and will to live, he comes for Bane, this time with an army of cops to back him up. No more shadow games, no theatricality; just a battle of fists. No more rushing with no regard, fighting with his head as much as his heart. ''This'' was the return of the Batman that everyone cheered for the last two films.

*** Especially as it was a BrickJoke; Earlier, Gordon said, "I'm not asking you parade down Main Street in your dress blues." In the end Foley comes around, leading the charge in the final fight against Bane and his militia; suited up in his full dress.
*** [[spoiler: He also manages to kill [[AllThereInTheManual Barsad]], Bane's [[TheDragon Dragon]], while shooting at Talia.]]

** Followed by [[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic the music]] abruptly switching from Bane's {{Leitmotif}} to Batman's, available on the official soundtrack as the piece ''"Why do We Fall?"''.

** The Bat features some amazing flying, using a MacrossMissileMassacre against itself and its launcher.

* The plane hijacking at the start, made even more effective by actually destroying a plane to do it.

-->[[spoiler:I will show you where I made my home, while preparing to bring justice! Then, I will break you...]]

* Bane gets one [[spoiler: in the final battle when he punches a concrete pillar and causes it to break. This Bane apparently doesn't need Venom to be monstrously strong.]]

* It's kind of a jerkish move, but the way Bruce introduces himself to Selina... by firing an arrow into the bullseye barely inches from her head.
** And in turn, the way Selina introduces herself to Bruce: she has the audacity to steal his mother's pearl necklace from his uncrackable safe, and the moment he confronts her on it, her "meek girl" mask slips right off. "Oops", indeed!

* The entire trilogy. Nolan and company took an iconic caped crusader, who had been turned into a cinematic laughing stock just years prior, and returned everything that made him memorable, delivering what many consider to be the defining portrayal. He also did what many had thought impossible and made a comic book trilogy that's consistently good in all the films.
** Especially the fact two of the villains in the movie series get a nice upgrade in badassery with the Joker becoming NightmareFuel incarnate and Bane just becoming a great GeniusBruiser when previous movies made the former villain too laughable and the latter bad guy bland DumbMuscle who is easily forgotten. Bravo!

-->'''Mercenary on Megaphone:''' Disperse! Disperse or be fired on!
-->'''Dpt. Commissioner Peter Foley:''' There's only one police in this town.

*** Especially as it was a BrickJoke; Earlier, Gordon said, “I’m not asking you parade down Main Street in your dress blues.” In the end Foley comes around, leading the charge in the final fight against Bane and his militia; suited up in his full dress.
*** [[spoiler: He also manages to kill [[AllThereInTheManual Barsad]], Bane's [[TheDragon Dragon]] while shooting at Talia.]]
* After Batman has been missing for eight whole years, a psychologically broken cripple hiding away in his manor, he finally returns to take down Bane's thugs and effortlessly outdodge the police. ''ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns'' will most likely never have a live action adaption, but the entire Stock Exchange car chase scene captured the book's awesome HesBack moment.

** And her summation of [[spoiler: Batman's [[ThouShaltNotKill code]] -- because, sometimes, [[PragmaticHero you just need to blast a villain and be done with it]].]]

** Just before he [[spoiler:makes the jump]] he hesitates, only to receive encouragement from [[spoiler:a swarm of bats that erupt from a crevice nearby.]]

** The Batpod does an awesome "spinning wheels turn" trick, nearly one-upping the wall turn in ''The Dark Knight''. Doubly so with Selina at the controls, turning on a dime to pursue the convoy. Notice how even the Batpod's movement and engine sound are reminiscent of a cat.
** Even though they were on the bad side, the updated Tumblers were awesome, especially the one with the retractable missile cannons.

* Speaking of John, [[NervesOfSteel his bravery against the jittery bridge police]] definitely qualifies him [[spoiler:as Batman's replacement]].

-->[[spoiler:Let's not stand on ceremony here...''Mr. Wayne.'']]

** [[spoiler: Then Bane gets his classic catchphrase: "I will break you." Even better, it doesn't sound corny at ''all''. On the contrary, it sounds '''''bloody terrifying'''''.]]

** [[spoiler:In addition, Batman's reactions in the fight. His slow realization that, after fighting so many crooks and high-profile criminals, such as Scarecrow, the Joker, Two-Face, and Ra's al Ghul himself...he finally finds someone he can't even ''stun''. The desperation slowly building up in him during the fight is especially noticeable - he's slowly becoming powerless, but still has the will to continue...but in the end, it was all for naught. Bane had shown his legion that Batman has past his prime. That he is no match for Bane - for anyone but just simple {{Mook}}s now. Of course, this makes the rematch much more satisfying to see.]]

* Bane gets another when he kills [[AssholeVictim Daggett]] by...doing [[NothingIsScarier something]] unpleasant to him. We imply that this was probably a NeckSnap--and not a quick one, at that.

-->'''Dagget''': ... I paid you a small fortune.
--> '''Bane:''' ''(incredulously)'' And this gives you... ''power'', over me?

-->'''Daggett''': ...What are you?

** Bane's initial reaction to Daggett's BullyingADragon moment. You can almost pinpoint the exact moment he thinks "[[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness I'm done with this weakling]]".

* Batman and Catwoman teaming up to take on Bane's men.

** This is, in fact, Fredericks, the same board member who in previous films was the one saying things like, "Is this what Thomas Wayne would have wanted?" He's very, very subtly on Bruce's side through the whole series.
* Just the fact that we finally have a solid portrayal of Bane in a major adaptation. He's been around for 20 years and has never been treated with a great deal of respect outside the comics despite being Batman's greatest physical enemy. Physically he may not have been a perfect portrayal, with the lack of a luchadore mask, venom, and being European rather than Hispanic (unavoided due to the choice to cast Creator/TomHardy). But even Chuck Dixon, Bane's co-creator, considers it the most accurate portrayal of the character ever because the essence is there. That essence is [[GeniusBruiser a remarkably intelligent individual with unbelievable strength and fighting skills]] and the only villain who poses a true physical threat against the Caped Crusader. There's a reason why Batman and Bane's first "[[CurbStompBattle fight]]" is one of the most memorable scenes in the entire trilogy.
* The entire trilogy. Nolan and co took an iconic character, who had just under a decade ago been turned into a cinematic laughing stock, and returned everything that made him memorable, delivering what many consider to be the defining portrayal. He also did what many had thought impossible and made a comic book trilogy that's consistently good in all the films.

--> '''John Blake''': [[spoiler: Try my legal name.]]
--> '''Woman''': [[spoiler: You should use your full name. I like that name. [[WhamLine Robin.]]]]

--> '''Jim Gordon''': Can I change your mind? About quitting the force?
--> '''John Blake''': You know what you said, about structures becoming shackles? You were right, and I can't take it. The injustice. I mean, no one's ever gonna know who saved an entire city.
--> '''Jim Gordon''': They know. It was the Batman.
--> *Cue the reveal of a statue of Batman*
* "You don't owe these people anything more. You've given them ''everything''." -- '''"Not everything. Not yet."''' In four words, [[EstablishingCharacterMoment the entire point of Batman and what he stands for]]. The very definition of superhero.

* It took nearly twenty years but finally seeing Bane get the big screen portrayal he deserves is definitely this, especially for fans annoyed about his [[InNameOnly portrayal]] in ''Film/BatmanAndRobin''.

* Batman Vs. Bane is even probably one of the most epic [[BossFight boss fights]] in film history.
** Batman and Bane's rematch is one for Batman: After regaining his fear of death and will to live, he comes for Bane, this time with an army of cops to back him up. No more shadow games, no theatricality; just a battle of fists. No more rushing with no regard, fighting with his head as much as his heart. ''This'' was the return of the Batman that everyone cheered for the last two films.
** The fight is almost one for Bane too. Before Bats [[spoiler: damaged Bane's mask]], it looked like it was going to be a rerun of last time with Bane dominating the fight.

** The very last image of Film/TheDarkKnightSaga is [[spoiler: Robin John Blake in the Batcave, rising up on a platform as the cave's systems activate around him. PassingTheTorch and TheAdventureContinues at its finest.]]

** Batman and Bane's rematch is one for Batman: After regaining his will to live, he comes for Bane, this time with an army of cops to back him up. No more shadow games, no theatricality; just a battle of fists. No more rushing with no regard, fighting with his head as much as his heart. ''This'' was the return of the Batman that everyone cheered for the last two films.

** It gets better on repeated viewings. While Bane still clearly has the physical advantage, Bruce's entire approach to the fight is overall more energetic and vicious. He gets kicked down by Bane again, but this time he quickly surges to his feet, takes the high ground and gives Bane a "come and get it" look. Than he blocks one of Bane's punches, rears back for a haymaker-and Bane again does a PunchCatch. Then Batman shows what he's learned from the Pit, and howling in Bane's face, physically overpowers Bane's grip on the self-same fist to land his first uppercut of the fight. If you watch Bane closely, he goes from staring Bruce down to gazing in a stupor at his arm being overpowered, as though he's thinking "How the f...?" Right before he gets hit in the face.
** After [[spoiler: his mask gets damaged]], Bane goes absolutely ''feral'' for a few seconds, pinning Bruce against a pillar and launching a barrage of punches into his gut, with a speed and ferocity not seen at any other point. Seems this Bane has no need for super-strength serum. See it [[https://youtu.be/gctjqn6_7X0?t=2m42s here.]]

* Batman creating his own Bat Signal and solidifying that he's back via a ''flaming Batman logo'' on the Gotham bridge and Bane's reaction when he sees it.

* The police, after [[spoiler: having been trapped underground for three-five months]], still have what it takes to charge on Bane's men and take back Gotham City. Having Batman disable the enemy tanks also helps.

** Foley started the movie acting like a jackass and glory hound (and also a coward during the three-five month period before Bruce returned to Gotham, after [[spoiler: the police get trapped]]). However, for the final battle, he shows up his dress uniform and led the charge from the front. It gave the scene another level of awesomeness and completely redeemed him.

** He doesn't even need to do that. [[spoiler: In the middle of Daggett's BullyingADragon moment, Bane shuts him up by simply ''resting his hand'' on his shoulder. You can almost hear Daggett crapping his pants.]]

--> '''Bane:''' Do you feel in charge?

** After [[spoiler: his mask gets damaged]], Bane goes absolutely ''feral'' for a few seconds, pinning Bruce against a pillar and launching a barrage of punches into his gut, with a speed and ferocity not seen at any other point. See it [[https://youtu.be/gctjqn6_7X0?t=2m42s here.]]
** After the fight, Bane; after spending nearly the entire film [[TheUnfettered unfazed]], spending his screentime living up to BadassBoast after BadassBoast, is rendered ''[[StunnedSilence completely speechless]]'' after this fight. For the first time in the film, his tough yet intelligent demeanor [[BreakTheHaughty has completely disintegrated]], and is replaced with tranquil horror. ''Bane is at Batman's mercy, and he knows it.'' These three words sum it all up best:

* Bane's introduction. Doubles as a meta one for the production crew. They actually did crash a plane.

* The police, after [[spoiler: having been trapped underground for three-five months]], still have what it takes to charge on Bane's men and take back Gotham City. Having Batman take out the enemy tanks also helps.

** And her summation of [[spoiler: Batman's [[ThouShaltNotKill code]] -- because, sometimes, you just need to blast a villain and be done with it]].
--->'''Selina Kyle:''' About the whole [[spoiler: "no guns" rule?]] I'm not sure I feel as strongly about it as you.
* [[spoiler: During the convict's account of what happened to Talia's mother, we see a duo of moments. First is when the prisoners surround her mother, Talia, a CHILD at this point, nonetheless shivs one of them in the back. Then Bane, after picking her up, backhands the man with such force that he's practically lifted off his feet and thrown backwards.]]

** Followed by [[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic the music]] abruptly switching from Bane's {{Leitmotif}} to Batman's, available on the official soundtrack as the piece ''"Why do We Fall"''.

** The Batpod does an awesome "spinning wheels turn" trick, nearly one-upping the wall turn in ''The Dark Knight''.
** Even though they were on the bad side, the updated Tumblers were awesome, especially the one with the retractable cannons that can fire missiles.

-->[[spoiler:Theatricality and deception. Powerful agents for the uninitiated. But we ''are'' initiated. Aren't we, Bruce?]]

* Bane gets another when he kills [[AssholeVictim Daggett]] by... doing [[NothingIsScarier something]] unpleasant to him. We imply that this was probably a NeckSnap.
** He doesn't even need to do that. [[spoiler: In the middle of Daggett's BullyingADragon moment, Bane shuts him up by putting his hand on his shoulder. You can almost hear Daggett crapping his pants.]]

* It took nearly twenty years but finally seeing Bane get the big screen portrayal he deserves is definitely this, especially for fans annoyed about his [[InNameOnly portrayal]] in ''Film/Batman&Robin''.

* The score is filled with the words "Deshi Basara", which mean "he rises". They're repeated over and over again, [[EarWorm forming a drum-beat in the viewer's mind]]. The first time we hear them, they're solely associated with Bane. But [[spoiler: that turns out to be a lie - Bane didn't make it out of the pit, only Talia did. As Bruce attempts the climb three times, they become ''his'' symbol, and the chanting of the chorus is for Bruce to rise.]]

** Batman and Bane's rematch is one for Batman: After regaining his will to live, he comes for Bane, this time with an army of cops to back him up. No more shadow games and theatricality, just a battle of fists. No more rushing with no regard, fighting with his head as much as his heart. This was the return of the Batman that everyone cheered for the last two films.

** Followed by [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome the music]] abruptly switching from Bane's {{Leitmotif}} to Batman's, available on the official soundtrack as the piece ''"Why do We Fall"''.

* The ending is both this and a HeartwarmingMoment. [[spoiler: Alfred spots Bruce and Selina living together in Europe, both of them radiantly happy.]]

-->'''CIA Agent:''' Well congratulations, you got yourself caught. Now what's the next step in your 'master plan'?
-->'''Bane:''' Crashing this plane - '''''WITH NO SURVIVORS!'''''

[[caption-width-right:350:Bane crashing the aforementioned plane.]]

-->'''Bane''': ''(stares at Daggett before looking at his bodyguard)'' ...[[TranquilFury Leave us.]]

-->'''Bane:''' "We take Gotham from the corrupt! ''[The cannons on his Tumblers turn to the prison doors]'' The rich! The oppressors of generations who have kept you down with myths of opportunity, and we give it back to you... the people. Gotham is yours. None shall interfere. Do as you please!

-->'''Bane:''' Step forward those who would serve. For an army will be raised.

-->'''Bane:''' The powerful will be ripped from their decadent nests....

-->'''Bane:''' ...and cast out into the cold world that we know and endure.

--> *Que the reveal of a statue of Batman*

--> '''Bane:''' And this gives you... ''power'', over me?

-->[[spoiler:Theatricality and deception are powerful agents for the uninitiated. But we ''are'' initiated. Aren't we, Bruce?]]

-->[[spoiler:Ahh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it. Molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man and by then it was nothing to me but ''blinding!'' The shadows betray you...''because they belong to me!'']]

** [[spoiler:Before pulling him out of the darkness, slamming him on the ground and cracking his mask with his bare hands while it's still on his face.]]

-->[[spoiler:I will show you where I made my home, I will be preparing to bring justice! Then, I will break you...]]

--> '''Daggett:''' You're...''pure evil...''
--> '''Bane''': I'm ''[[KnightTemplar necessary]]'' [[CardCarryingVillain evil]].

--> '''Bane:''' And this gives you... ''Power'', over me?

-->'''Bane:''' But start by storming Blackgate, and freeing the oppressed!

-->'''Bane:''' The police will survive, as they learn to serve "true justice".

-->'''Bane:''' This great city... it will endure.

-->'''Bane:''' Gotham will survive.

** [[spoiler:In addition, Batman's reactions in the fight. His slow realization that, after fighting so many crooks and high-profile criminals, such as Scarecrow, the Joker, Two-Face, and Ra's al Ghul himself...he finally finds someone he can't even ''stun''. The desperation slowly building up in him during the fight is especially noticeable - he's slowly becoming powerless, but still has the will to continue...but in the end, it was all for naught. Bane had shown his legion that Batman has past his prime.]]

** [[spoiler: Bane quoting Ra's by saying "Theatricality and deception are powerful agents for the uninitiated. But we ''are'' initiated. Aren't we, Bruce?"]]

** [[spoiler: Especially after Batman attempts to confuse him by cutting the lights and Bane, amused, says "Ahh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it. Molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man and by then it was nothing to me but blinding!"]]
*** [[spoiler:Before pulling him out of the darkness, slamming him on the ground and cracking his mask with his bare hands while it's still on his face.]]

* After the fight, Bane; after spending nearly the entire film [[TheUnfettered unfazed]], spending his screentime living up to BadassBoast after BadassBoast, is rendered ''[[StunnedSilence completely speechless]]'' after this fight. For the first time in the film, his tough yet intelligent demeanor [[BreakTheHaughty has completely disintegrated]], and is replaced with tranquil horror. ''Bane is at Batman's mercy, and he knows it.'' These three words sum it all up best: