Yeah, I didn't like the idea of a retired Batman at the beginning of the film either.
To me Bruce Wayne was much too driven for that.
I can see him retiring in the Batman Beyond fashion where he just gets to the point that due to his age he is more of a danger operating as Batman than a help.
Presactly. If anything, they should have started the movie with Bruce still in action and at his physical peak. Then have Bane break him, which requires him to use Waynetech to compensate for his deteriorating condition (basically, the climb out of the prison sapping the last bit of natural strength out his body). Then, you could have still had him fake his death at the end but when Alfred sees Bruce with Selina in Italy that's when he has the cane, etc.
