Batman, take 2

Like I promised the kids, we went to watch the Dark Knight last night and here's my post about it. I really have to apologize that I've written a longer post. I just can't help myself. I also apologize for focusing more on Joker than the bat.

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Ledger’s Legacy

He has a laugh, but unexpectedly minus the tinge of lunacy offered by Romero. How about Nicholson’s stare, the one that condescends and spells mayhem? He doesn’t have that. Take off the make-up and erase that scarred smile we may be surprised to find a man, but that man would all the same be a criminal mastermind.

Heath Ledger’s Joker offered us a new take on the villain. While the film “The Dark Knight” is the second Christian Bale Batman and also featured the life, love, and perversion of Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), we can’t escape the sick humor that is Joker. Ledger died before this movie was shown; many say this is worthy of a posthumous Oscar. I wouldn’t disagree. From wads of script he completed the formation of a new character by breathing personality into it. I believe this was Ledger’s swansong.

It was indeed disturbing the way Ledger carried his Joker. It was villainy at its darkest, one that does not hesitate to sacrifice accomplices for a clean getaway. His Joker weaves the grandest of criminal plans, anticipating his enemies’ moves like in a game of chess, 4 to 5 moves ahead. He has this sick way of entertaining his captive audience, asking them if they like to know how he got his smile of scars; and always under the duress of a knife ready to slit into their cheeks.

Slit cheeks for a smile, a different origin indeed. Hailing from a violently dysfunctional family, Ledger’s Joker has this memory of how he came about and greatly made an effect on his personality. “Why a gloomy face?” often using his father’s line to strike fear into his captives.

He has humor; he wouldn’t be the Joker if he doesn’t have one. But it’s dark and loaded with provocation. His idea of a joke is to push the whole of Gotham into disarray. His recipe for chaos is moral dilemma; we have to kill in order to save ourselves. He is very good at it. He is so good that he was able to shove Harvey Dent into a vengeful rampage, a grave departure from being the White Knight of the law.

He frightfully preaches to his enemies. He exudes diabolical wisdom and distorted philosophy. I don’t mean to be irreverent but if Confucius turned out to be bad he would’ve definitely became the Joker.

I repeat, Ledger’s Joker is not Romero’s nor Nicholson’s. It was simply his. If ever a third Batman of this series will be made, a Joker appearance is not remote. I just hope the new Joker will live up to Ledger’s legacy.

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Batman Quotes

Die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain – Harvey Dent and Batman

One man or the entire mob? He (Joker) can wait – Batman

When you’re good at doing something don’t do it for free – Joker

Some men just want to see the world burn – Alfred

Do you want to know why I use knives? Because guns are too fast – Joker

What were you thinking, that everyone in this city is exactly like you? – Batman on Joker

We thought we can be decent men in undecent times – Harvey Dent Two Face

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The film is dedicated to the memory not only of Heath Ledger but also of Conway Wickcliffe, the effects technician that worked on Batman Begins (2005)