Unlike the pre-Nolan Bat-Films, which focused more on the villains than providing a story arc for Bruce Wayne/Batman, Nolan was able to make me care about what Bruce was really looking for: a day when Batman wasn't needed. Yes, in the comics, Bruce is eternal, but in this trilogy, Bruce is not. In the first film, Batman became a symbol of hope to the down-trodden city, and a symbol of fear for criminals and the corrupt. In the TDK, Batman was working in concert with his allies to finally take down the mob, and release the city from it's stranglehold. They succeeded, but it was based on a lie, thanks to the random chaos by the Joker (who was the "escalation" that Gordon feared would happen in the era of Batman.) Bruce took the fall, but because of the Dent Act, the remnants of the mob were crushed (off screen, of course, in the 8 year gap.) Desponent over the death of Rachael, hunted by the police, and in many ways unneeded by the city, Bruce had no other life to return to, because all he had hoped for was lost.
Dark Knight Rises circles back to Batman Begins: the planned destruction of Gotham was delayed ("borrowed time" if you will) but the League of Shadows still had allies, the rich and corrupt (Roland Daggett) to use them to further their own ends and complete the quest R'as had started. Lies were exposed (Dent's turn, Alfred's hiding the truth from Bruce) and this made things all the worse for our heroes. Sprirts and bodies broken (Gordon and Bruce both, as well as Gotham itself), everyone rose to the occassion. Even the police, once a corrupt arm of the mob, became a symbol of justice over evil, even if the price was high.
Batman dies, but he doesn't; Bruce Wayne dies, but he doesn't. Yes, he gets a happy ending, odd as it may seem to longtime Batman fans, but no surprise if you take into account Nolan's film-making style. The legend will go on, but we have this partcular interpretation come to a natural conclusion.
Doubtful that this will have any sequels or spinoffs. Especially if there is going to be a DC "shared universe" similar to Marvel's. A new Batman will come to theaters someday soon, as there is money to be made. So maybe Chuck will get a Batman film he can take his kids to, as it will be unlikely that they could pull off this so called "relistic" style of Batman storytelling in a world that has flying supermen and women with invisible jets. Me? As a longtime Batman fan, I appreciate the best all versions and eras of the character have to offer. This film was still a satisfying end to the saga, and we now have another great trilogy of films to be entertained by.
