“The Dark Knight” is the best movie of the summer and one of the strongest films of 2008. If you fork out the dough for a full price ticket and don’t find yourself engrossed in the gamut of action, story, acting, and drama this “Batman Begins” sequel brings to the screen, I suggest you check your pulse. Frankly, I’m not sure I’ve seen a better sequel to a film since “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.”

Christopher Nolan, who directed “Batman Begins” (and “Memento” and “The Prestige”) takes the helm again, assisted this time in story and screenwriting duties by his brother Jonathan, who also lent his pen to both  ”Memento” and “The Prestige.” Nolan wastes no time with elaborate credits or an opening backstory, instead leaving off where we last left our heroes.

Enter the Joker (Heath Ledger). You know he’s coming. The character has been in the news for quite some time, especially since the untimely death of Heath Ledger earlier this year. The media has been humming the tune of posthumous Academy Award honors for Ledger for the last four months and the buzz is well-deserved. This is not the Joker from the campy television series (see Caesar Romero), nor the Joker from Tim Burton’s 1989 imagining of the caped crusader (see Jack Nicholson). Ledger’s incarnation of the Joker is more like Hannibal Lecter on laughing gas.

See, things have changed in Gotham since we last visited. Yes, it’s not a place you want to jog alone in at midnight, but Batman (Christian Bale) has ignited fear in the criminal element of Gotham and has inspired other men to rise up and fight crime and corruption. Standing next to the infallible Lieutenant James Gordon (Gary Oldman) and Assistant District Attorney Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is the newly elected DA, Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart). Three bright lights in a sea of muddled loyalty.

Without going into elaborate detail, the mob is losing money and is grasping at straws to stay afloat. Batman is spanking them into submission and helping Gordon and Dent put away its bosses and minions. Just as the police and DA are inches away from a fatal blow to organized crime, in comes the Joker. He has no loyalty and no agenda; he simply wants to wreak havoc on Gotham. He suggests to the group the way to take the city back is to kill Batman. And while he claims to be just a “dog chasing after cars,” we get the sense the Joker does have a plan, an elaborate, maniacal blueprint to test the limits of our protagonists’ - and Gotham’s - loyalty, heroism and endurance. As wise, old Alfred (Michael Caine) says during the film, it’s always darkest before the dawn. Without a doubt the Joker is the seemingly never-ending night.

And, without giving any of the story and plot away, that is the gist of “The Dark Knight.” It may seem like the entire film revolves around the Joker, and believe me, it somewhat does, but the central theme of “The Dark Knight” is Bruce Wayne/Batman’s (and every superhero’s) dilemma - who do you save, who do you choose to help and how far do you go in the name of doing what is “right.” I can tell you there are several surprises and twists in the movie, so make sure you don’t buy a 44 ounce soda, because you cannot afford a trip to the restroom. In fact, you may just want to strap on an adult diaper.

I tip my hat to Nolan and his selection of fantastic character actors that anchor “The Dark Knight.” Bale is rock solid as Batman and Ledger is flat-out terrifying as the Joker. Still, without the supporting cast of Eckhart (”No Reservations”), Oldman (”Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”), Caine (”The Prestige”) and Morgan Freeman (”The Bucket List”), the movie would be vapid and seem more intent on relying on CGI and explosions. Also, I can’t forget to mention indie film stalwart Maggie Gyllenhaal, who replaced Katie Holmes. While Holmes’ performance as Rachel Dawes in “Batman Begins” wasn’t terrible, Gyllenhaal is a better fit, replacing Holmes’ cuteness with authority and screen presence. She feels like an assistant DA, whereas Holmes felt more like a lost paralegal.

As I do often in my reviews, let me add a word of caution to parents - this is not a film for young kids. I realize the marketing folks are targeting Batman merchandise towards the kiddies, but “The Dark Knight” is fantastically gritty and violent. I have a 10 year-old daughter and she will not be watching this movie. If you’re not sure, go see it first. There are some images and intensity that will make small children and some pets lose bladder control. Be advised, your parental license will be revoked and you will be metaphorically stoned by yours truly if you take the young ones to this movie.

As I said before, I loved every minute of this movie. It is long, clocking in at two and a half hours, but it is a perfectly scripted, acted and technically flawless movie, easily worth the full price theater ticket. I only hope Oscar voters will take their art house glasses off next year and reward at least Nolan and Ledger with nominations for picture, director and actor.

And in case you missed the trailer, see below: