Batman dropping Jack Napier into the vat of chemicals

[The Laughing Fish]

I'll be honest. I remember when I first saw the Axis Chemicals confrontation, I actually  thought that Batman had let go of Jack Napier on purpose. Why? Because it looked like Batman paused for a split second before Napier fell, as if he had second thoughts whether or not saving a gangster's life was worthwhile, and I even misinterpreted his reaction following Napier's fall into the vat as a sign of "good riddance". Nowadays of course, I'd say it was an accident that Batman just couldn't prevent. Besides, I'd imagine that Batman would feel extremely guilty knowing his decision to let a gangster die had backfired, and it only created the psychotic Joker instead. 

Did anybody else get that impression too when they first saw that scene?

[Catwoman]

I took it more as a "Ok, I'm trying to save you, but your ass is a little too heavy and I don't know what the hell that is and I'm not going to find out with you. Sayonara." lol.

Not to hijack your thread but the part that confuses me is Jack's face. Did the bullet ricochet off and hit him in the face or is that chemical burns from the acid or a case of both?

[Cobblepot4Mayor]

It's those psychotic looking Keaton eyes in the scene. The eyes that got him the job in the first place.

Because of their mad, burning, intensity it looks like he dropped him on purpose. It's what I always saw.

You can debate this of course. But their certainly ain't no debating deflecting that bullet into Jack's face. He knew that would hurt of course.

[The Laughing Fish]

It's those psychotic looking Keaton eyes in the scene. The eyes that got him the job in the first place.

Because of their mad, burning, intensity it looks like he dropped him on purpose. It's what I always saw.

Yes, Burton always explained that Keaton was somebody who looked convincingly "farked up" enough to dress up as a bat and beat people up. 

Not to hijack your thread but the part that confuses me is Jack's face. Did the bullet ricochet off and hit him in the face or is that chemical burns from the acid or a case of both?

As C4M said, the bullet ricocheted and struck Napier right in the face. The injuries that Napier sustained had permanently damaged the nerves in his cheeks, which is why he had a fixed smile constructed on his face thanks to that dodgy surgeon. The acid in the vat only bleached Napier's entire body. Hence, the Joker was born! 

[Catwoman]

I know the vat he fell in did all that. I meant did the bullet rupture something that sprayed on his face? Cause I've seen it said both ways, bullet or spray. And I've for some reason never paid enough attention at that part lol.

[Catwoman]

Ok it def looks like the bullet/shrapnel. That answers that!

[Slash Man]

A long time ago on YouTube, someone broke the scene down bit by bit. Right before Batman drops Jack, there's a sudden change in facial expression. The belief at this point was that Batman saw the face of his parents' killer at that point and dropped Jack out of shock. Though looking at it now, there seems to be no indication that Batman knew about that at that point. I guess it was just because Jack was heavy.

[Edd Grayson]

I don't believe that he recognised Jack at that point or that he let him fall on purpose, but he still had a hand in creating the Joker.

[The Laughing Fish]

Plus, this person on YouTube failed to take into account that Bruce Wayne never realized who Jack Napier was other than the Joker until he was asked about "dancing with the devil in the pale moonlight" at Vicki's apartment. A chilling and familiar quote that Bruce knew too well.

[The Dark Knight]

I think the scene is straightforward.

Napier hangs on for his life and Batman lends a helping hand.
He wanted to rescue the guy, but in the struggle to lift him, Jack slips.

I don't think Batman changes his mind.