Joker

Batman Begins (2005) was a pretty rocking flick, a quality product to back up the now ubiquitious comic-book-movie HYPE. Great rendition of the caped crusader by Chris Nolan, who previously directed Memento (2000) and Insomnia (2002).

I really like Nolan's attention to the psychology/pathology of his characters. In the closing scene of Begins there is a discussion between Batman and Gordon (Gary Oldman, good call) about the nature of Gotham's "supervillains" and the threat of escalation between the masked hero and increasingly dramatic foes. The comissioner produces an evidence bag with a Joker playing card and the movie ends.

Christian Bale as Bats, Michael Caine as Alfred, Gary Oldman as Commisioner Gordon, Liam Neeson as Ra's Al Ghul - forget about it! Who can keep this trend going as Joker?

Can't say I was super excited when the announcement was made that Heath Ledger would don the grin. As I seem to recall, the news came after Brokeback Mountain had received all sorts of Oscar buzz. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but Ledger was in a string of really bad movies and his casting seemed out of rhythm (show me Johnny Depp as joker).

After seeing a few early screenshots today, however, I have altered my perspective. And July '08 seems far off (loooong wait, just like for the first). Joker ain't no joke, fool.

6/10/2008 P.S. – It seems likely that Heath Ledger's death and his portrayal of the Joker are inextricably fused somehow. To write that his untimely demise has not heightened my anticipation of the new movie would be a lie.