People toss around the word “epic” far too much in describing the things they like and the failures of noobs. But the films of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy are epic, in every sense of the word. Which makes the trailer we’re about to show you really freaking epic. Imagine, if you will, that Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises were actually one big blockbuster. Now imagine they made a trailer for that blockbuster…and it was really, really, really great.

Weaving together footage from all three chapters, what lies on the other side of the jump is not just another appetizer for The Dark Knight Rises, but an illustration of the remarkable ambition and scope of this whole series. This is the first big screen comic franchise that works as one (pristinely executed) arc, with a clear beginning, middle and end. We should all look forward to the day when we can pop them in the Blu-ray one after the other and, with the final credits rolling, utter the word “Epic” as we’ve never meant it before. For now, hit jump to be blown the hell away.

And here…we…go:

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Here’s the official synopsis for The Dark Knight Rises:

Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ “The Dark Knight Rises” is the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy.

It has been eight years since Batman vanished into the night, turning, in that instant, from hero to fugitive. Assuming the blame for the death of D.A. Harvey Dent, the Dark Knight sacrificed everything for what he and Commissioner Gordon both hoped was the greater good. For a time the lie worked, as criminal activity in Gotham City was crushed under the weight of the anti-crime Dent Act.

But everything will change with the arrival of a cunning cat burglar with a mysterious agenda. Far more dangerous, however, is the emergence of Bane, a masked terrorist whose ruthless plans for Gotham drive Bruce out of his self-imposed exile. But even if he dons the cape and cowl again, Batman may be no match for Bane.

Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar(R) winner Christian Bale (“The Fighter”) again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar(R) winner Marion Cotillard (“La Vie en Rose”), as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake. Returning to the main cast, Oscar(R) winner Michael Caine (“The Cider House Rules”) plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar(R) winner Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”) reprises the role of Lucius Fox. The screenplay is written by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer. The film is produced by Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Charles Roven, who previously teamed on “Batman Begins” and the record-breaking blockbuster “The Dark Knight.” The executive producers are Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Kevin De La Noy and Thomas Tull, with Jordan Goldberg serving as co-producer. The film is based upon characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by Bob Kane.