Dark Knight Saga Recut, The - Part III

The Dark Knight was a phenomenal movie and in no way did I had the same expectations from the third Dark Knight film. Actually, when I first saw it in cinema I liked it, although I was "feeling" something was off, that I couldn't kind put my finger on because I was blinded by the excellent cinematography by Christopher Nolan. When I got past that, in future re-watch, I started to see aaall the problems with this movie and my enjoyment factor dropped to like a 5.

Technical wise, the audio and visual editing was great! I didn't noticed or "felt", at any scene, that something was tampered with. So job well done here.

On the narrative side of things, which is the most important for me, this edit was definitely an improvement. I believe the editor removed as much as it can be removed, without having the film feeling inconsistent and all over the place. I had watched a more aggressive edit before this and it didn't work at all. Also, excellent choice having the Batman die at the end. Better ending to this saga, since we are not going to see him again and with the way Nolan took things with the story. Be that as it may, it still felt as a slow burn, but not in a good way, plus, it still has a couple of my major problems with it, like Bruce/Batman retire for the past 8 years, after like a couple adventures as Batman, just because Rachel died. I mean, talking about throwing the whole ideology of why he became the Batman out of the window! Also the ridiculous way that Blake knows Wayne is Batman. I mean, what, orphans have a secret code or something and see through each other? I guess Wayne being the only one with the money to have all these "toys" or the fact that when he retired, the Batman retired also, wasn't pretty obvious. And some other things, but we are not here to criticize the film, but the edit.

I will say this, definitely check this edit out! I mean, if you want to have a closure when you rewatch Nolan's trilogy, this edit is the way to go! For me it will be. I haven't watched the editor's previous edits of the Dark Knight, because I love the originals, so I didn't have a reason to watch another version.

Thank you njvc and thanks to anyone who read my review!

I just finished the trilogy and this is the best of the three edits!

Audio and Video are perfect just like the other edits. The pacing was great, and it didn't feel like it was dragging anymore. The plot is not so bloated, the humor is toned back nicely, and the ending is so so much better! This edit gives a truly satisfying conclusion to the series. Loved the new ending and all the pacing fixes especially during the final scenes with the police fight in the snow.

I highly recommend this trilogy edit, but especially the third movie. Thank you so much njvc!

A great, tight, edit of DKR. Overall, a great edit of the trilogy. This Dark Knight Saga Recut Trilogy is a great alternative to the original Dark Knight Trilogy. They are a set of films I would proudly put on my movie shelf, and re-watch! Njvc, you did a great job, and I applaud you for your hard work!

Highly recommend this trilogy to anyone!

Wow. This is an amazing accomplishment, technically and artistically. NJVC has done a phenomenal job in editing, as well as re-mixing the audio. The pacing is much improved over the original, and the ending is incredible. Folks, this is the highest calibre of fan editing you will likely see.

Overview - Third part of Nolan’s trilogy was the most ambitious, was the longest, was sluggish, and was weighed down by already irrelevant political stances. njvc made judicious edits, severing the lulls, pruning the Occupy nonsense (in three years few will know what Occupy meant, none will care), fashioning an even darker version of the finale.

Video - Seamless work here. This editor’s projects are always professional, and this was no different. Picture quality was great and all changes flicked by unnoticed.

The only technical issue I had was the file itself. I burn to disc. This would not fit, even on a dual layer. I attempted light compression many times - fail. Finally converted it (which is not a compression) and I was happy with the resultant DVD, but this is a heads up for others who prefer to burn.

Audio - Robust 5.1 score. Work here on par with video editing. Listened with headphones, also cranked the speakers. Blow the roof.

Narrative - The plot moves quicker now and I don’t check to see how much time remains - something I still do with the original. The overall tone is considerably darker, especially with the bulk of humor removed. Batman is not Noir territory, but the fatalistic themes weigh heavy here. Everything about this edit is top shelf, and this ought to be my preferred go-to from now on. However ...

Enjoyment - Second time I watched this, an uneasy perception cast it’s shadow and I was never able to shake it. The ending (and njvc has already alerted viewers to this in his cutlist) goes as dark as it gets for the caped crusader. Indeed, the “Hollywood” ending of Bruce and Selina in an Italian cafe is gone gone gone. Which made me view all Wayne’s efforts, his sacrifices, his dedication as a big pile of nothing.

Batman is now a doomed tragedy. Dying for a city of ingrates. Squandering his fortune on his useless cause, personal trauma demons. Batman becomes as pointless and meaningless as the excised Occupy have-nots. Wayne is Don Quixote, a loser with the Joker’s mocking L on his forehead. There is no peace, no espresso with a female he had chemistry with. Only a big bang demise for citizens who, quite frankly, were undeserving.

That second viewing, as Batman vaporized, I was thinking, “What a schlemiel.” And that is not how I want to perceive him. In every way this edit was stellar, surpassing the original in so many scenes, except - for me - the ending, which rolled around in my mouth like a mouthful of rotten food.

Could be just me, though.