While there have been numerous live-action adaptations of Batman on the big screen, none have stood out as much as Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy. The movies introduced a dark and gritty version of The Caped Crusader to cinemas, something that superhero movies at that time hadn't done before. The trilogy also showcased one of the best acting performances, most notably Heath Ledger's iconic role as The Joker. The Dark Knight Trilogy is still held in high regard as one of the greatest superhero film series and continues to inspire many modern-day superhero films.
The trilogy's finale has been controversial among fans due to some plot holes and moments that felt rushed. While It is considered the weakest entry in the trilogy, it is still a great Batman movie. The Dark Knight Rises portrays an older Batman revisiting Gotham and is forced out of retirement eight years following the events of The Dark Knight due to Bane's plan to take over Gotham. The movie sees a slightly older Bruce Wayne struggling to keep up as Batman as he battles against Bane who proves to be the toughest adversary Batman fought throughout the trilogy.
What Happens At The End Of The Dark Knight Rises?
After getting defeated by Bane in the sewers, Bruce is thrown into The Pit, a prison located in the ancient part of the world, leaving the eccentric billionaire both mentally and physically shattered. Bruce undergoes recovery and gets his broken back fixed by the prison doctor. He goes through rigorous training to regain his fitness and prepare himself to don the cape again, as he had been absent from his role as Batman for eight years. Bruce eventually makes it out of the underground prison by climbing out after three failed attempts, becoming the second person ever to do so.
Meanwhile, Bane succeeds in his plan to take over the city and places it under lockdown, and intends to destroy Gotham as the city has become corrupt, a plan that was quite reminiscent of Ra's Al Ghul's scheme in the first movie, Batman Begins. Bane aims to turn the reactor from Wayne Enterprises' new energy plan into a nuclear bomb for obliterating the city.
After returning to Gotham, Bruce enlists the help of Catwoman and manages to contact Lucius Fox. Bane has trapped a large number of police officers underground. Batman along with the help of John Blake is able to free the officers, allowing them to join the fight against Bane's army.
This leads to the final confrontation between Batman and Bane, with Batman now prepared to take on the masked terrorist. Batman is able to defeat Bane but is unexpectedly stabbed by Miranda, who turns out to be Talia Al Ghul, Ra's Al Ghul's daughter. Talia takes the detonator and the reactor core to destroy the city leaving an injured Batman and Bane to die.
Just in time, Catwoman arrives to assist Bruce and then proceeds to free the reactor but is unfortunately too late to do so. As the reactor nears detonation, Batman makes the ultimate sacrifice by strapping the reactor to his aircraft, The Bat, and carrying the bomb with him to the sea to protect the city from the blast. Batman's airship explodes along with the bomb, ensuring Gotham's safety at what most thought to be at the cost of the Dark Knight's life.
Is Batman Still Alive After The Dark Knight Rises
Nobody is able to withstand the nuclear explosion of the core reactor as depicted in the movie. The core reactor possessed enough power to annihilate the entire city, raising the question: Is Batman still alive after that? Well, the answer is yes, considering Alfred sees Bruce enjoying a date with Selina Kyle, both of which managed to start a new life after Bruce wiped Selina's slate clean by removing her criminal records. They share a nod of recognition and go presumably go their separate ways.
Despite suggestions from fans that this scene could be Alfred's dream of seeing Bruce alive while he is actually dead, both the movie's director, Christopher Nolan, and Batman's actor, Christian Bale, have confirmed that Bruce is indeed alive and has retired from his life as a masked vigilante, fulfilling Alfred's long-held wish. However, it remains unknown how Batman managed to escape the blast or whether he was even present at the time, as Lucius Fox learns that The Bat's (Batman's Aircraft) autopilot was indeed functioning.
Wayne Manor is turned into an orphanage, along with all of Bruce's property being named after Alfred Pennyworth, Wayne Manor's butler since Bruce Wayne was presumed dead after he was held hostage by Bane. Additionally, John Blake discovers the Batcave after receiving coordinates from Bruce, implying that John Blake has taken on the mantle of Batman. The Dark Knight Rises marked the end of the Batman Trilogy, concluding Christian Bale's portrayal of Batman with Bruce now living a normal and happy life and Batman still defending Gotham.