Raptors start and finish strong against Thunder, but lose anyway

The Dark Knight Rises began as a worthy sequel to a brilliant movie. Tom Hardy delivered an instant classic with, “they expect one of us in the wreckage, brother.” It was a high-pace, slick, and well-connected first act in the movie. It quickly fell apart beneath the weight of its own purposes, some bizarre directorial choices, and a plot that was too complex by half. There was a clear high-water mark that looked initially like the movie was only just revving into second gear.

It’s hard to see the high-water mark of a tidal wave.