"The Dark Knight Rises," the supposed climax of Nolan's Batman trilogy, sadly plays out more like a prolonged, confused whimper than the bang it aimed for. Overstuffed with plot holes big enough to drive the Batmobile through, the film tries to juggle too many elements, ultimately dropping them all. Bane, while physically imposing, ends up as a villain who's more muffled voice than menace, making one long for the charisma of Ledger's Joker. And don't get me started on the 'twist' - it's as if the writers threw darts at a plot board and went with whatever disjointed scenario they hit. The film's length, which I assume was an attempt at an epic finale, instead feels like a marathon with no finish line in sight. It's a lumbering giant that forgets the sleekness and depth that made its predecessors shine. In trying to be grandiose, "The Dark Knight Rises" unfortunately stumbles and falls into the pit of mediocrity.