First thing first...please do not expect "Joker" in all batman films.
But again The Dark Knight was just a shade better (maybe again the Joker effect) than this one except this is a visual extravaganza(the film shows that it is a 250 Mio film).
I am a huge fan of Dark Knight franchise, but believe me this is the first of the film I saw in a movie theater, and ...WOW..what an experience. The Dark Knight Rises is the conclusion the trilogy deserves.It is the movie that was needed to end this trilogy, it's the movie that Batman fans will appreciate, relish and love for years to come as they have with the earlier 2 installments.
When Selina(Catwoman) says "A storm is coming, Mr. Wayne." It was quite eminent that we should strap our seat belts for a roller coaster ride of all you can expect from a near perfect movie directed by one Mr. Christopher Nolan.
One Comment in IMDB that explains a lot
"Whereas Batman Begins was a David and Goliath story, The Dark Knight was a duel, then The Dark Knight Rises is war"
Here Batman is less of a Super Hero and more of a Leader who leads the mass from the front (Political touch?). In TDKR he is more human and more prone to weakness than ever before.Bane is less of a super villain and more of a terrorist who meets a very unglorified end.
I will not talk about the performance but Tom hardy needs a special mention.Though Comparison with Heath Ledger is unavoidable, I feel he had competed well (Heath Ledger had an author backed character). But again you cannot compare between Pizza & burger. hats off Mr. Brady.
Some points i must mention about the things i did not liked:
1. Bane had a very very unglorified ending.He deserved better.
2. There for no need for the Twist in the end that Miranda is Ra' Al Gul's daughter. If Bane had been his son there would not have been much difference
3. I did not liked the BAT (Bat Plane)
To sum up
Christopher Nolan has finished up the Batman series in remarkable style. Where Batman Begins was about conquering fears and the Dark Knight was about traversing the fine line between order and madness; the Dark Knight Rises seems to be a movie about compromise and acceptance (IMDB).
This movie will stir your emotions. fulfills your urge for action/SFX. Satisfy you hunger for a good movie.
Mr. Nolan - Can we expect TDK4 or ROBIN........