Noahs Begals

Good god I forgot how awful this film looks. Some of the worst visual effects, lighting and blocking I've ever seen in a major blockbuster. COVID was certainly a factor into why it looks the way it does but shrouding the entire production into green-screen veiled secrecy didn't help either. The first half of this film is dogshit. Like, there's no other way to put it. Thankfully the second half knocks everything into gear and the film has an emotionally satisfying finish. I look back at the theater experience fondly but this film grows worse with every rewatch, especially after Brand New Day.

It took a few pivots and adjustments but Tom Holland is finally an amazing Spider-Man. This is pretty much what I've been wishing the MCU would allow the character to be from the beginning. The plot is pretty average but its themes were emotionally satisfying enough for me to be invested. The action, choreography and web-slinging are top notch. There is clearly a lot of Spider-Man PS4 inspiration going on here and I welcome it. I think some of the story's connections to other MCU properties weigh it down a bit but nothing really gets in the way of this being a stand-one Spidey film. 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡: The Pentagon seemingly added a throw-away line about Peter casually using mass Flock-like surveillance around town for no good reason. It's weird, because the entire plot device could be cut and it wouldn't make a difference. His surveillance tech never reappears in the film. It felt very forced, like a pro-surveillance corporate decision inserted in. I don't blame the director honestly. Didn't ruin the movie, just gave me the ick. Very weird.

𝙒𝙖𝙮𝙣𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠. I remember watching this as a teen and thinking it was great. Revisiting it now, it's hard not to see how weak it is compared to the previous films. His commentary on the occupy wall street movement dates the film more than it brings to the conversation. This movie is often accused of being told through a conservative lens, and while Nolan has specified that his commentary revolves solely around demagoguery, it's hard not to see it as the misguided efforts of a neo-liberal. His critiques on the corrupt and powerful are undercut by his faith in our institutions and fear of revolution. It's like the status quo masquerading as rebellion. Nolan tries very hard with this film but his heart is clearly not in it. He's stated that the aesthetics of Batman Begins were influenced heavily by Blade Runner, while The Dark Knight's were inspired by Heat. Rises has a very sparse visual identity, in fact, it kind of looks drab and brutalist if anything. While the set-pieces are top notch, it's seriously missing the sauce that made the other two so distinct. I wouldn’t go as far to say this ruins the look of the film, but it doesn’t feel as theatric. It should also be said that never, and I mean NEVER, should that suit ever be out in broad daylight. I get the whole coming out of the shadows thing but those daytime IMAX shots don't do the suit or mask any favors. Outside of the somewhat weak political commentary, it's the characters that make Rises worthwhile. Nolan creates a satisfying throughline between all three films that concludes in a satisfying way. The plot elements and dialogue are a bit too goofy compared to his other work but it makes for some good memes to laugh at when the film is over. All in all, I still have a great deal of nostalgia for this film and the action sequences are still pretty great. The first fight with Bane in the sewers might actually be the best fight in the trilogy. It's a grand old conclusion that made me cheer when I was young and is making me chuckle today.

I can no longer take the last 10min of this movie seriously and the only one to blame is [AlpacaHawk](https://youtu.be/EqBt8Rkyoq4?t=563&is=N0fQKPjYdwOBp50N).