3. The Sewer Fight
And so Batman formally meets Bane. There can be no rise without a fall. The scene leading up to this fight with Catwoman was expertly paced to build up the meeting of these two fated rivals. It wasn't clear if Batman was actually going to face Bane, but the quick succession of scenes shrouded the true purpose of Catwoman's plight; drama which was all too familiar for Bane. When the gate closed, everyone including Batman knew the "storm was coming." The brawl was long awaited and it delivered. Not only was the camera panned back so the audience could see the choreographed fight, the music was absent. Rather, the sound of fists and grunts orchestrated a haunting fight, one that Batman was sure to lose. Bane's dialogue was equally captivating, with each insult and statement spoken only to empower himself and to provoke his opponent into a blind rage. To end it all came a nod to the comics where Bane lifts Batman up and proceeds to crack his back. The first confrontation did its job in allowing Batman to lose in glory. And throughout this brawl, Catwoman's looks of guilt was the hope in despair that fit the themes of the movie all too well.