Trailer for 'Dark Knight Rises' surfaces

Posted Monday, December 19, 2011 at 4:04 PM Central

by John Couture

We teased it a bit last week and today, we've got it. The "it" in question is the first full-length trailer for The Dark Knight Rises.

Although, I think the term "full-length" is a bit of a misnomer here. Traditionally full-length trailers, as opposed to teaser trailers, spend more time in developing plot and storyline and really serve the purpose to sell the movie.

The problem is that this movie doesn't need too much help in selling it and Nolan and company are smart to keep as much of the plot under wraps for as long as they can. So, the trailer below, courtesy of Apple, is really just an extended teaser.

Given that, there's plenty to like in the trailer, but there is some concern here as well. The biggest concern that I have had with The Dark Knight Rises from day one is its ability to live up to impossibly high expectations.

After The Dark Knight set the bar so high, it will literally take a miracle for The Dark Knight Rises to meet them. Now, I have all the faith in the world in Christopher Nolan, but I don't see him walking on water anytime soon.

What I do like in the trailer is the wide range of action shots and the character development of Tom Hardy's Bane and Anne Hathaway's Selina Kyle/Catwoman. In particular, it seems that Kyle and Bruce Wayne will have a bit of have/have not rivalry that should carryover nicely when their alter egos clash.

I guess you could say that Catwoman riding the Batpod could simply be a page taken out of Robin Hood's playbook of redistribution of wealth. Oh, and it's good to see Selina Kyle wearing the cat ears again, even if it's only at a masquerade ball.

There is also a quick scene of a prison break/insurrection that looks promising. Is this related to Arkham Asylum and the escape of all of Batman's enemies? Possibly, but I'm not sure.

What is apparent is that some time has passed since the end of The Dark Knight and Gotham is experiencing a period of peace in which the need for Batman's services is no longer pressing. Of course, it seems that Bane and Catwoman are intent on bringing him out of retirement.

Didn't you just love Hines Ward scoring the touchdown and turning around and realizing that the football field is no longer there? Priceless.

The Dark Knight Rises is will hit theaters on July 20, 2012.