The prologue to The Dark Knight is one of the greatest opening scenes in recent memory, something seemingly lifted from a crime thriller rather than a superhero blockbuster. As well as the meticulously planned heist providing a thrilling set-piece, the scene also reveals plenty about both the Joker and his motivations. Audiences watching this scene were kept on the edge of their seats, and in just a few short minutes it was obvious that the movie would be unlike anything seen before in the comic book genre. Its more than a little ironic that such an exciting Batman movie moment doesn't even involve the Caped Crusader. The robbery is planned and executed to perfection, with all of the moving parts working together seamlessly and Christopher Nolan's direction mixing sweeping camera moves with hand-held urgency. Heisting a mob-controlled bank shows that the Joker has no fear, and is looking to stir up trouble. Having the robbers eliminate each other on his orders also displays the character's cunning, while crashing a huge yellow bus into the building is fitting with the Joker's lack of subtlety and anarchic spirit. And of course, the smoke grenade gag to top things off is right in keeping with the Clown Prince of Crime's twisted sense of humor. Starting the hugely-anticipated sequel off in great fashion with a scene that could have been taken straight out of Michael Mann's Heat, Hans Zimmer's music peaks with the Joker's great reveal that 'what doesn't kill you, only makes you stranger'. Before the main narrative had even started, Heath Ledger's take on the character was a force to be reckoned with.
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