8. A More Fun Joker
The question of which portrayal of the Joker was better is one that has been debated many times and the discussion always gets heated. Jack Nicholson's and Heath Ledger's take on the role were very different and it is hard to compare the two. Jack Nicholson was much closer to the comic book version even though many criticized him for being too short and round, but that didn't really matter. Ledger was far more sinister without being over the top and dramatic. It was a fine performance and and interesting one, even if it was less fun to watch. But for people to call it Oscar worthy are mistaken and a lot of opinions I'm sure are tainted by Heath Ledgers untimely death. Ledger's Joker was more vicious, unpredictable and much more uncomfortable to watch but something was missing, it didnt feel like you was watching the Joker. When Nicholson covered his white face with flesh colored make up, excluding the grin you could still see the Joker, he wasn't all about the green hair and the red lips. It was through the way he was acting you saw the Joker you recognise and know. When he was in full on Joker mode, he had the look, the manic aggressive and insane behavior that was balanced by his comedic side, he had all the elements that make the Joker character. I was never a fan of ledger's make up and even though I thought his performance was interesting, in order to ground his Joker in Nolan's reality, he became just a man with mental problems and a fondness for bad make up. All the other things that make us love the Joker were missing or toned down. Yes the Joker kills and is generally an unpleasant individual but he has a side to him that is likeable even if you wouldn't want to meet him down a dark ally. There is always a feeling of joy when you know Batman will be going toe to toe with the Joker but Ledger didn't have that. His Joker was too dark. It's an individual choice if you think that a darker and unpleasant Joker is a good thing or even if a character like that works in Nolan's new realistic version of Batman but one things for sure, Nicholson's take was much more like the comics and far more fun to watch. Love that Joker! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgCbegtw0JM