Heath Ledgers Joker

[Joker81]

Jaws is my favourite movie, and I dont begrudge One Flew Over The Cukoo's Nest winning best picture, or Jack Nicholson winning best actor, that film is amazing, and Jack's performance brilliant.

But how Jaws was nominated for best picture and Spielberg not nominated for best director I will never know! Even legendary producer Richard Zanuck said he couldnt understand it. Spielberg went through hell to get Jaws made and well deserved a nomination, even to win it! It would be nearly 2 decades before Spielberg would win best director. I know he was more known in the '80's for his 'popcorn' films, but apart from Jaws there was Close Encounter's, E.T., The Colour Purple.

Even Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw or Richard Dreyfuss deserved a best actor or best supporting actor nomination for their roles.

That was 1975/76! So ever since then (through reading movie books) I have no faith or nor I care much for these 'lets slap eachother on the back, arent we brilliant' awards.

[The Dark Knight]

Jack's Joker was never definitive. It was fun. Good, bordering on great -and back in the day, it was pretty impressive. But I never, ever would have said it was the best portrayal of the character in any medium, because it didn't come close. But this... well, this is too good to top. In all liklihood, too good to equal, as well.

[DocLathropBrown]

Jack's Joker was never definitive. It was fun. Good, bordering on great -and back in the day, it was pretty impressive. But I never, ever would have said it was the best portrayal of the character in any medium, because it didn't come close. But this... well, this is too good to top. In all liklihood, too good to equal, as well.

Mighty fine opinion you've got there. Others disagree. Jack's still higher on my list than Ledger, but the gap isn't very far at all.

[The Dark Knight]

Fair enough. I see Ledger's Joker as the best by a mile, though.

I wouldn't want you to turn a blind eye, if that is what you are doing. To be clear, I mean to knowingly refuse to acknowledge something which you know to be real. I think it is nostalgia being the main driving force here. People need to take off their rose tinted glasses and look at things objectively.

[Paul (ral)]

I think it is nostalgia being the main driving force here.

You will find nostalgia here.  That's what this site is about primarily - remembering and appreciating Burton's films.

Also, the members here are not stupid and do appreciate new interpretations.  I think they view them objectively and fairly which is more than can be said for those out there that are only interested in the next big thing and blast all that came before.

[The Dark Knight]

which is more than can be said for those out there that are only interested in the next big thing and blast all that came before.

Trying to say something about me? I just don't see how anyone can compare Nicholson's Joker to Ledger's. I think its primary the nostalgia talking. I mean, its night and day really.

Dozens of actors could have done what Nicholson did, but I can't think of many actors that have that "fearlessness" than Nolan talked about being a requirement for taking on this new vision of the Joker.

I do like the Burton films, but appreciate what Nolan has done more.

I just think it's amazing that Heath took a role that was so clearly Jack's and well known and brought something incredibly new and great to the table. He really nailed it. I got what I consider basically the perfect interpretation of Joker on screen. I'm happy it exists.

[Sandman]

Heath did an excellent job with his Joker and while i see alot of praise going to him i don't see enough going to Aaron Eckhart his HarveyDent/Two-Face he really surprised me i thought he was just going to be another basic comic book villian but was very bit as good as Ledgers Joker i'd put them both up there with Jack's joker and Devito's Penguin as the best live action Batman villan's to date.

[Paul (ral)]

which is more than can be said for those out there that are only interested in the next big thing and blast all that came before.

Trying to say something about me?

Of course not - i'm talking about a sect of the bat-community that really annoy me 

I just don't see how anyone can compare Nicholson's Joker to Ledger's. I think its primary the nostalgia talking.

And I said; that is not the case on this forum. (btw, you do see the irony in your statement - you are the one who compared the two Jokers. )

Dozens of actors could have done what Nicholson did, but I can't think of many actors that have that "fearlessness" than Nolan talked about being a requirement for taking on this new vision of the Joker.

The "fearlessness" he spoke about was his attitude to taking on a role that dozens of actors could have done - hmmm, i mean could NOT have done!

I do like the Burton films, but appreciate what Nolan has done more.

I haven't seen TDK yet, but when I do - i hope I feel as you do.

[The Dark Knight]

Well, when you've seen the film you will be better placed to discuss the subject than you are now.

[Paul (ral)]

Well, when you've seen the film you will be better placed to discuss the subject than you are now.

I wasn't talking about Heath Ledger's performance