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After seeing the latest trailer for The Dark Knight, I say hands down that this is my most anticipated movie of the summer. Yes I know there's a new Indiana Jones this year. Yes Iron Man was really good. Yes there's a new Hulk that looks like it'll successfully reboot the franchise. Not to mention other films like Caspian, Hancock, and Wall-E, but The Dark Knight is the one I want to see the most, and it's not just because I'm a huge Batman fan, but because I really think that this is going to be one of the best movies of the year. Are my expectations too high? Maybe. But let's examine just a few of the things that this latest trailer has hinted at and why I think its going to once again raise the bar, just like its predecessor did.

First and foremost, Christopher Nolan has hinted the the film's title, The Dark Knight, has a lot to do with what takes place in this second year of Batman's career. In the new trailer, we even hear a line from Harvey Dent proclaiming that "the night is always darkest before the dawn." It seems clear that things will get very dark for Batman this time out, and how could they not with the Joker on the loose? I love the brief scene from the trailer that shows Bruce Wayne sitting in a chair in the Batman outfit, holding his cowl, staring at it while he cries. One of the things I've always appreciated most about Batman are his moments of self-doubt. How many times have you been in a spot where you felt things were too bleak, too dark, too difficult to really carry on? How many times have you wondered if it was really worth it trying to do the right thing, to remain moral and righteous when everyone else seems to get away with doing whatever they like, no matter how mad, depraved or crazy?

Well, I don't know about you, but I've experienced those times as a Christian. Times when I've wondered if it was all really worth it. I've always admired the fact that Batman has faced similar moments, and that he always finds the strength within himself to carry on no matter what. I must confess that I don't have that strength, but I have found that God's Spirit is the one who finds me in those dark moments and gives me the strength to move forward regardless of what I may face. As Psalm 112 reminds me, "Even in darkness light dawns for the upright." Because my hope is in Christ, I have a hope that will never disappoint no matter how dark my world may be. That gives me strength, even in the face of a dark night.

Another reason that I'm excited for The Dark Knight is because of its source material. The cast and producers have hinted that they used The Long Halloween for much of the inspiration for this film, and the latest trailer seems to confirm that. From the focus on Harvey Dent to the criminal world trying to cope with an emboldened police and law enforcement agencies, most of the major beats from the comic look like they are going to be in The Dark Knight. Plus, The Long Halloween is considered by many as the definitive version of Harvey Dent's/Two-Face's origin, so a faithful adaptation of that would be amazing to see on the big screen. Granted, changes have been made. It looks as though the Joker will take the place of Holiday and the other villains of that storyline, but from what I've seen so far, it looks like a good move to focus on him.

Finally, the Internet is buzzing with rumors that look like they're confirmed in the new trailer about a major death in the film. (Spoiler Alert: If you don't to hear theories on who dies, read no further)

It has been hinted and rumored that someone close to Bruce Wayne and Batman is killed in The Dark Knight, and all signs point to (Spoiler Alert: This is your last chance...)

...it being Rachel Dawes. The choice seems fairly obvious. The character is unique to the films, but is a good representation of the few women that have actually meant something to Bruce Wayne. The impact of such a death on Batman to make him question his resolve, whether or not he really can make a difference in the face of such evil, whether or not he can protect those he cares for... If these elements are handled well, it'll be a big part of what sets The Dark Knight apart from every other comic book movie out there.

Finally there's Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker. Although Jack Nicholson did a fine job, from the glimpses we've seen so far, Ledger appears to really have caught the true essence of what makes the Joker such a fascinating and deadly villain. There's never really been a portrayal of the Joker that I found scary (except in the excellent Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker), but Ledger's Joker is definitely scary and looks very convincing as a menace that could cause in every sense the darkest night of Batman's young career.

Batman Begins was the success it was because it was a great film, not just a great comic book film. It was an amazing movie that just happened to be based on a comic book that featured a man dressed up as a bat. However, it was able to transcend the comic book genre to become a movie that touched on themes and emotions that we all relate to, and did so in such a way that felt real, that felt like it could happen. Should The Dark Knight follow that trend (and for all intents and purposes it looks as though it will), I see no reason that it couldn't become the one film still standing after the summer boxoffice wars are over. It may not make the most at the boxoffice, but it may be the one most people will actually remember something about, the one that people will feel was something special. It may even be the one that leaves people hope in the face of the dark nights we all face.