The Dark Knight Rises: First reviews are in

A standing ovation at its first screening overseas should have eased any doubts about the quality of 'The Dark Knight Rises' but just in case you're still unsure, the review embargo has been lifted and the response from critics has begun to trickle in.

It's no surprise then that the film has so far received widespread acclaim, provoking affectionate adjectives from seasoned critics and keyboard warriors alike.

[Related story: The Dark Knight Rises trailer 2 breakdown]
[Related story: New Dark Knight Rises viral material emerges]

Todd McCarthy for The Hollywood Reporter described the film as "big-time Hollywood filmmaking at its most massively accomplished, this last instalment of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy makes everything in the rival Marvel universe look thoroughly silly and childish."

Perhaps a little harsh on Marvel's lighter films but impressive praise nonetheless. Variety were similarly enamoured with the film, saying that it "retains the moral urgency and serious-minded pulp instincts that have made the Warners franchise a beacon of integrity in an increasingly comic book-driven Hollywood universe."

Matthew Leyland of Total Film awarded the film another five stars, writing: "A smart, stirring spectacle that faces down impossible expectations to pull off a hugely satisfying end to business." A sentiment shared by rival magazine Empire who summarised simply: "A fitting epitaph for the hero Gotham deserves."

IGN described 'The Dark Knight Rises' as "a fitting emotional and narrative conclusion," and said Anne Hathaway's Catwoman was "a more realistic take on the feline femme fatale than what Michelle Pfeiffer did".

HitFix wished whoever is chosen to reboot the franchise in a few years time the very best of luck, say that, "the bar is as high as it could possibly be."

Finally there's Bruce Kirkland of the Toronto Sun, who said: "'For audiences who want smart storytelling with their adrenaline rush, 'The Dark Knight Rises' is as profoundly moving as it is dynamic."

Reviews continue to appear around the web, each as positive as the last. Our own will be with you later in the week, so watch this space.