The Dark Knight (2007)

The Dark Knight is a 2007 Batman reboot directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Maggie Gyllenhall and Tom Hardy.

Plot
The film begins by introducing us to billionarie playboy Bruce Wayne, who is throwing a party at his home, Wayne Manor. During the party, he meets crime boss Carmine Falcone, as well as the new District Attorney, Harvey Dent, who is dating Bruce's childhood friend Julie Madison.

After the party, Bruce witnesses the Bat-Signal appearing in the sky. Changing into his alternate identity; the Batman, he meets with police commissioner James Gordon on a rooftop. The two discuss plans to join up with Harvey Dent in their war against the mob. Batman tells Gordon that their next target is Carmine Falcone.

Falcone, meanwhile, returns home after the party in a panic. It turns out that he has become increasingly paranoid with expectations of the Batman coming for him. As he gets home, a mysterious voice greets him. A masked man emerges from the shadows and identifies himself as Bane. Bane tells Falcone that for 1 million dollars, he will kill Batman for him. With little choice, Falcone strikes a deal with Bane.

Next, we see Bane studying the way Batman fights by drawing the hero into fights with Falcone's men and then watching from afar. Meanwhile, Gordon brings Harvey to the meeting site and introduces him to the Batman. The three discuss a course of action to take Falcone down, but Harvey disagrees with Batman's methods. Later that same evening, Harvey and Bruce get to know each other better when they have dinner with Rachel and Bruce's European date.

Bane continues to study the Batman's movements and also warns Falcone of Batman and Gordon's meeting with Harvey, so the crime lord decides to target Harvey. During the initial attempt on Harvey's life, Falcone's men corner him in an alleyway, but Batman suddenly appears and rescues Harvey. Bane secretly watches from an adjacent rooftop. For an additional fee, Bane offers to also kill Harvey. Falcone refuses, however, stating that it will be easier to handle Harvey once Batman is out of the way.

Bane decides it's time to face Batman, so he and a gang of Falcone's men storm into the stock exchange, disguising the trap as a robbery. Soon enough, the police surround the building but Bane takes hostages and he and the mobsters escape on motorbikes. As the police chase him through a tunnel, the lights go out and Batman arrives. The chase escalates and results in the two engaging in a brutal hand to hand fight in the middle of an empty street. Bane mercilessly beats Batman to a pulp and lifts him above his head, preparing to his break his back over his knee. Gordon arrives just in time, with the rest of the police quickly following. Bane is forced to leave Batman behind while making his escape.

Falcone is enraged that Bane failed to finish the Batman, but Bane reminds him that Batman is still out of commission for a while and informs him that now would be a good time to kill Harvey. As Harvey arrives home, a bomb goes off. However, Batman had already figured out that Harvey was a target and warned Gordon, who arrives just in time to save Harvey's life. However, half of his face is badly burned.

Bruce begins rigorously training in order to get back into shape and confront Bane. Once he is back to full form, or mostly there, he searches the city, but is unable to find Bane. While stumbling, enraged, through the sewers, he encounters the masked menace. Bane tells him that they will fight again when he is ready. Batman, embittered, reluctantly agrees.

Unexpectedly, Bane kidnaps Julie and takes her to the Gotham Observatory. He releases a message for Batman, telling him to come for. The message also contains incriminating evidence against Falcone, allowing Gordon to arrest him. Batman quickly follows Bane and knocks out Falcone's men before the two engage in a final showdown. Batman manages to damage Bane's mask and they both fall through the glass and over the edge. Batman uses a grapple to get a hold while Bane falls to his death.

Batman somberly escorts Julie to safety, who now knows his true identity. He and Gordon agree to continue their crusade against the mob, noting Falcone's capture as a victory.

Sequels
The film was followed by The Dark Knight Returns and The Dark Knight Rises.