10 Sarcastic Movie Pricks You Can't Help But Love
3. The Joker - The Batman Films
Why so serious?
Both the Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger version have provided Gotham city with its fair share of make-up smeared, ludicrous one-liners,. The Joker excels in sarcastic put-downs, humorous pranks and the most extravagant buffoonery.
Firstly, then, the Nicholson Joker- brash, cocky, narcissistic, Batman's first and greatest enemy was also the most sarcastic. His explosive joie de vivre meant you almost rooted for him-Nicholson steals every scene from Keaton and Basinger. In fact, the film only really succeeds because of the Joker.
From dad-dancing around to Prince tracks, to the famous balcony-gargoyle scene where the Joker falls from the Helicopter-the most memorable parts are centred around his comic jests. Nicholson's version had some undeniably fine lines too; From "Never rub another man's rhubarb" to "Where does he get those wonderful toys?" and the brilliantly caustic "Haven't you ever heard of the healing power of laughter?"
Certainly Nicholson's version has the better comic aspersion. But Ledger's performance as the psychopathic, schizophrenic bank-robber was similarly inspired. Whereas Nicholson's Joker has a comic insanity, there is a deeply disturbing and truly unhinged comic anarchy to Ledger's portrayal. And Ledger's Joker enjoys some fantastic comic lines too; The Joker (after stumbling out of a wrecked truck) "And I thought my jokes were bad" "Now I see the funny side. Now Im always smiling!" The Joker; "You just couldn't let me go could you?" The Joker to Batman; "We really should stop fighting, well miss the fireworks!" The Joker: See, "I'm not a monster, I'm just ahead of the curve".
Both Jokers amounts to fine, comic characters. Whether it's the revisionist attempt by Ledger or the all-prancing, boombox-beating original of Nicholson. One things for sure, like Hans Gruber compared to John McClane, it's the bad guy who steals the show in Batman.