Do the lapses of logic matter in the face of The Dark Knight Rises' powerful symbolism?

Alastair takes a look back…

This article contains spoilers for The Dark Knight Rises.

A man is just flesh and blood and can be ignored or destroyed.

But as a symbol… As a symbol, I can be incorruptible, everlasting.

Anyone that makesInceptionwith a straight face is not only an ambitious auteur, but must have a meticulous eye.

For any trilogy to work it must have a respect for its own premise and its own boundaries.

YetRisesdisregards much of the pragmatic story reasoning that defined its predecessors.

All evidence suggests that the answer is yes.

The film, taken in sequence and as a whole, includes some shaky bridging scenes.

Batmans return in the first place is for the sake of sensationally demonstrating Waynes triumph over his own injuries.

In fact, when Batman does reappear, hes a counterproductive distraction.

The choreography in the films cage fight between Bane and Batman is balletic, the absence of music powerful.

As Bane, Tom Hardys strength is matched by his expression and theatricality.

Christian Bale is glorious in his exhausting and will-driven fighting.

Every punch hurts, and nothing deflects from the inevitable outcome facing Bales older and weaker character.

In fact, how did Bane know where Lucius Fox keeps Waynes arsenal?

Intrinsic questions, ones that undercut the ferocious exchange between the films two leads.

When Batman is defeated, his mask is pulled away and Bane casually discards it and saunters off.

More than likely, the decision was made because of movie magic.

Bale wears black eye shadow, as have all recent film incarnations of the character.

It would be attributable to psychosis in the real world.

They become less symbolic, and eerily worldly, especially when combined with an exaggerated voice.

Theres a duality to the masks of Batman and Bane.

The former hides his face with an open mouth, whilst Bane masks his voice literally.

Blind justice versus twisted truth?

Another missed movie moment.

In no short time, these omissions are rectified with the highly charged prison escape sequence.

The films predecessors had a natural flow that was never grandiose on this scale.

Nolan subsequently tries to squeeze in as much as he can while taking us speedily to the conclusion.

Hes a symbol, and the symbol lives on.