Heath Ledgers Joker

[Joker81]

Well Michael Jacksons bleached white isnt he? lol

I agree Nicholson had the perfect balance, joking and flamboyant one moment, scary and psycotic the  next. Ledger was all one way, psycotic and moody.

In an ironic way, the middle person to play the Joker, Nicholson had both Romero and Ledger in his interpratation.

[Dark Knight Detective]

LOL! Nicholson was born to play the Joker! I liked how he talked about the character on the B89 DVD. That shows he liked what he did (or loved). I hate when people say BS things like "Oh, Jack played Jack in make-up". They're poor schmucks, like Mr. Shreck would say. His portrayal was exactly how the Joker should be. BTW, I don't think Romero's Joker had any influence on Jack's Joker. It actually came from some of the campy Batman comic books of the 40's & 50's.

The Joker started off as a greedy criminal who wanted revenge on those who did them wrong, which was okay & the physical appearance & "revenge" thing fits Jack's Joker, but he wasn't too humorous, which is the case w/ Ledger's Joker. I think Romero's Joker is probably based on the Joker's appearances later on during the "friendly but not campy" comic books of the 40's & 50's, & also based on the fact that that stupid show was campy, so was that Joker. But THANK God Nicholson came & helped clean up the mess that show made!

IMO, I think that some (or most) people praise Ledger b/c he died or because of his physical appearance rather than his acting. I know b/c I saw a video on YouTube with a girl saying that she had no desire of seeing the Batman films (or any other comic book films) until she saw a trailer of Ledger's Joker. And I thought Bale was the heart throb of Nolan's Batman (and Cillian Murphy)! 

[Batmoney]

Very interesting point there Joker81, I never thought about that.

[Joker81]

Yes I agree Nicholson was born to play the Joker! Even Bob Kane said so, he said "He is the Joker". I think thats why people say Jack just played Jack. It wasnt that that was the thing, it was he was effortlessly able to play the Joker, firstly because of his acting ability, and secondly because hes got a bit of the Joker in him. Anyone who says Jack just played Jack, do not know what they are taking about, they havent seen films like Five Easy pieces, Chinatown and One Flew Over The Cukoo's Nest.

When I say theres Romero in his Joker I dont mean campyness. I can definatley see Romero in his performance, like facial expersions now and then and also the costume.

Ledgers Joker I cant see much of the comics in his Joker, character wise, and even looks wise. To me a is a new 'Hollywood' creation, which is why I am surprised many so called die hard Batman fans except it? I am a movie fan, I can appreciate that interpretation as much as Nicholsons, and Romero's! I love them all. But I think Ledger appeals more to the general overall public, which is why his interpretation has been so successful - taking nothing away from his acting ability, because it was a top performance.

[Dark Knight Detective]

I've actually read people say that they think Ledger is the best Joker b/c he died, like I mentioned before, in order to sound sympathetic (more like pathetic). Too bad they don't count on acting. I'm sure Ledger would not have wanted all of this praise b/c he died or looked attractive to anyone. He was a good actor, & had they given him a better script, he would've unleashed his full potential. As for Nicholson, his Joker is DEAD ON!

He did almost everything I expected from his Joker portrayal, especially in the scene w/ the mob bosses. The way he joked & laughed while he was burning Rotelli w/ that joy buzzer is both hilarious & chilling! And who could not say that his conversation w/ Rotelli's charred skeleton is not chilling, especially when he laughs after he says "I'm glad you're dead!" The way he laughed is horrifying!

[Joker81]

I know what you are saying, though I would say he would want the praise alright! But out of real merit, which he earned. He wanted to be known as a real actor, and a good actor.

But what I think he would not have wanted is all this slating of Jack Nicholson, which is an actor Ledger admired and respected! He would have hated what some of these so called Batman fans have been saying.

[Dark Knight Detective]

It seems that the fans give Ledger a bad name. I agree w/ you on what he said about Nicholson (he did say that in his last interview I believe). Who would really want to copy such a brilliant performance anyway.

I will say that Ledger was great w/ what he worked with, but I felt that his full potential wasn't unleashed due to the storyline w/ Harvey becoming Two-Face. It's a shame Ledger won't be able to reprise his role.

[Joker81]

Yes, the final act was crammed and rushed, I agree the Joker character suffered.

Yes, Ledger was a keen admirer of Nicholsons work. And Daniel Day Lewis.

[Dark Knight Detective]

I think Harvey should've been introduced in Begins like he was supposed to instead of Rachel, the weak link of Begins & also one of the reasons why Begins is sort of boring to watch frequently. I would've liked that better b/c it would've given the chance to have Harvey become Two-Face a lot earlier. The Joker was okay but I don't think he was really needed.

Didn't Nolan say he wanted to bring rogues who haven't been in the Batman films yet. For Two-Face that's an exception b/c he didn't do much in BATMAN, while in Forever he was pretty much poorly scripted for the most part.

[DarkVengeance]

Harvey was introduced with perfect timing for the story arch they chose to do, he wouldnt have fit at all in Begins, plus he is a symbol in the beginning of TDK that with Batman helping Gotham, it has for a short time become somewhat better.