Cultural Arts and Entertainment

Quite a character

I was in awe as I watched all two hours and 40 minutes of "The Dark Knight" this past weekend. I laughed. I gripped the sides of my seat. I shook my head in disbelief. I sighed in relief. I cringed. I even got a few chills.

I don't think I've ever seen a character quite as memorable as The Joker played by the late Heath Ledger -- and I'm not just saying that because he's no longer alive. He was completely demonic and downright evil -- yet, as a viewer, you couldn't wait to see him on the screen again. I wouldn't go as far as to say that he carried the movie, but "The Dark Knight" certainly wouldn't have been anywhere near as good if it weren't for The Joker.

Most of the time it was the subtle characteristics and mannerisms Ledger portrayed that made the character; the licking of the lips, the range in his voice, the way he walked, and yes, even that chilling, cackling laugh -- it all screamed evil.

I remember when I first heard that Heath Ledger was playing The Joker. I shook my head and said something along the lines of "there's no way he'll ever be able to pull off that character like it's supposed to be done." Now, I can't imagine another actor in Hollywood that could have done it quite the same. And I'm almost positive there's not another actor that could have played it better.

This may not have been the "Batman" for the kiddies, but they had their chance with the Val Kilmer and George Clooney days. Movie after movie, the "Batman" saga just got sillier and sillier. It's about time that a "Batman" movie is done with a serious tone and a gothic nature; after all, isn't that the way the comic books portray it? I say keep that gothic tone going; although I don't know if there's another "Batman" villain that could carry the presence that The Joker did in "The Dark Knight." But then again, I'm the one who originally said there was no way Heath Ledger could play The Joker.

Be sure to check out Showcase Editor Jaime Zublick's official review of the film in the July 24 edition of Showcase.

As a side note: let's hope Christian Bale hasn't ruined the reputation of the new "Batman" series with his arrest. The movie deserves better than that.

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