Sequels are inherently difficult. A pre-primed audience arrives on a wave of anticipation created by the original film that was good enough to command a second bite at the box-office apple.

That's the dilemma Christopher Nolan faced as he prepared to make "The Dark Knight." And he faced an additional obstacle of his own making. His 2005 "Batman Begins" was both a hit with the fans and redefined the Batman franchise.

Nolan went as far afield as he could from the campy television series of the 1960s. He even managed to erase the memories of failed sequels to the previous "Batman" movies, more remembered for plastic nipples on the costume than plot.

"Batman Begins" introduced the dark side of the Caped Crusader. And audiences responded. Now all Nolan had to do was make a bigger and better movie as a sequel.

"The Dark Knight" is that in every way.

From Nolan's rich script about the dualities of life to the staggering use of IMAX, this sequel rises above the first on the wings of its dark creature of the night.

"The Dark Knight" picks up the action a few years later. The crime rate in Gotham City has dropped because of the presence of Batman (Christian Bale). Prosperity can breed discontent. There are some who are still a little uneasy with this vigilante style of justice.