It’s going to be an interesting summer. If The Avengers is planing on being the big, crowd pleasing spectacle, then The Dark Knight Rises has no problem being the more dramatic and somber (yet still big and epic) alternative.

As talented as Christopher Nolan is, this film still has one thing against it. It’s the the third film of a franchises and the track record of a third movie in a franchise is not very good. (The Godfather part 3 anyone?) Hell, The Godfather part 3 still had Coppola directing it,  so even if the series keeps the same director it’s no guarantee. (See also Spider-Man 3)

This rule is also very prominent in the superhero movie franchises. It’s the curse of the third film. The first two Superman movies were great…but the third one? Richard Pryor? Evil computer? Drunk Superman? Need I say more?Just look at the evidence. X-Men 3? Batman Forever? The previously mentioned Spider-Man 3.

It’s not like I don’t have faith in Christopher Nolan. I do. I’m pulling for Nolan to nail this one. Judging by this new trailer, things are looking pretty great so far….

First thing I noticed about this trailer is that there is a ton more footage of Joseph Gordon Levitt in this thing. But, who is he?

Sure, he’s credited as “John Blake”, but what’s this man have to do with the story? Is he a simple cop, who’s story slowly becomes more intertwined with Batman (or Bruce Wayne’s)? Why is he talking to Selena Kyle? How does he know her? Is John Blake a red herring for the reveal that he is  another character that we DO know from the comics (not the random character that Bleeding Cool did an article about.) Will he become Robin/Nightwing (answer: I really doubt it) or is he the Joker in disguise (Answer: again, really doubt it)?

No idea, but it will be fun to find out.

We’re also getting more of Catwoman in this. I’m liking Hathaway’s scenes so far, and I think she’s going to surprise people with what she does with this.

Also, glad that I can HEAR Bane in this trailer. Thank Christ.

You know, fourteen years ago, Warner Brothers only saw the Batman movies as a way to sell toys. To think that a studio has allowed Nolan to do as much as he did to such a huge corporate character is kind of a miracle.This series of Batman movies is the signature style of a personal vision. I don’t think this the ONLY way to do a Batman movie, but the character is famous for being the most flexible to it’s creators.

No matter how this series ends(i.e. if this film sucks or rocks), there is still plenty to be impressed with.

The Dark Knight Rises comes to theaters July 20th.