A psychopath with a plan

[Rich-n-Texas]

Great mini-review. Thanks for not going too far into depth and adding more spoilers. The anti nippage part is a little downer though.
I may just have to drag the little woman out to see this one at the theater.

Looks like this post was, what Jay Leno would call... sympathy applause. That's okay, even PS had his bad days ya know? And besides, someone has already copied my first use of "Why so serious?", so I guess it did benefit somebody.

[Worf101]

Not pity applause. I found your review and Kex's to be both concise and in-depth. I'm just a little burnt out on the heaping piles of praise for a flick I've not seen yet. But trust me, I do value your opinion.

Da Worfster

[Worf101]

I find it interesting (no insult intended) that this version of the Joker has resonated with you and so many other people? When I was watching it the idea that I'd never see Heath Ledger reprise the role never entered my mind as it did yours. But due to your post I started thinking more and more about the psychosis of the Joker.

1. Horribly scarred physically and mentally. You don't now how or where cause he's constantly changing the story of how he got that way.

2. Much like Anton Chigur in "No Country for Old Men" he wants the everyday citizen to "get in the game" so he sets up situations where John and Jane Q. Public are forced to break the ultimated commandment and kill. Kill for survival, kill to protect loved ones or kill for vengeance.

3. His duel with Batman is the only thing that gives his life purpose cause in Bats he's found his mirror image almost as screwed up as himself. And much like "The Green Goblin" he want's the hero to abandon principals and morals and join the fun?

I susptect there'll be many a thesis written on this character.

Da Worfster

[Rich-n-Texas]

I find it interesting (no insult intended) that this version of the Joker has resonated with you and so many other people? When I was watching it the idea that I'd never see Heath Ledger reprise the role never entered my mind as it did yours. But due to your post I started thinking more and more about the psychosis of the Joker.

1. Horribly scarred physically and mentally. You don't now how or where cause he's constantly changing the story of how he got that way.

2. Much like Anton Chigur in "No Country for Old Men" he wants the everyday citizen to "get in the game" so he sets up situations where John and Jane Q. Public are forced to break the ultimated commandment and kill. Kill for survival, kill to protect loved ones or kill for vengeance.

3. His duel with Batman is the only thing that gives his life purpose cause in Bats he's found his mirror image almost as screwed up as himself. And much like "The Green Goblin" he want's the hero to abandon principals and morals and join the fun?

I susptect there'll be many a thesis written on this character.

Da Worfster

This wasn't a Superhero movie, it was a psychological thriller, wouldn't you agree Worf?

Have ya seen it yet Aa? Do you agree?

[Worf101]

This wasn't a Superhero movie, it was a psychological thriller, wouldn't you agree Worf?

Have ya seen it yet Aa? Do you agree?

In the traditional sense, no, it wasn't a "superhero movie" but it is stil a superhero movie. I'll explain. TDK is far more sophisticated than what USED to be known as a "superhero movie". I thnk Spiderman 1 and 3 raised the bar as did Batman Begins on what folks would accept as a superhero in a post 911 world. The era of silly superhero movies with NO consequences and no moral dilemmas is over. It was still a super hero movie but a drama first.

Da Worfster

[Rich-n-Texas]

In the traditional sense, no, it wasn't a "superhero movie" but it is stil a superhero movie. I'll explain. TDK is far more sophisticated than what USED to be known as a "superhero movie". I thnk Spiderman 1 and 3 raised the bar as did Batman Begins on what folks would accept as a superhero in a post 911 world. The era of silly superhero movies with NO consequences and no moral dilemmas is over. It was still a super hero movie but a drama first.

Da Worfster

I agree, it was a drama outside the Superhero movie box. When I say psychological thriller, I'm talking the cat and mouse chase and the way the mouse manipulates the environment (supporting cast) to gain an edge.

3LB, maybe Ledger's Joker deserves an Oscar, maybe not, but I don't recall there ever being a comic book villian shattering box office numbers any which way you look at them, the way this character did. Oscar nomination at the very least!