Ledger has a fright wig of ragged hair; thick, running gobs of white makeup; scarlet lips; and dark-shadowed eyes. He’s part freaky clown, part Alice Cooper the morning after, and all actor. He’s mesmerizing in every scene. His voice is not sludgy and slow, as it was in “Brokeback Mountain.” It’s a little higher and faster, but with odd, devastating pauses and saturnine shades of mockery.The review is pretty accurate, in my opinion. Upon reflection, the sole reason for why I would return to watch (again) is Ledger's performance. Each scene that had Joker in it made me lean forward and pay close attention to him - his moderately outlandish mannerisms, his wanton disregard for societal mores, his love of chaos and his playfully diabolical malevolence.
If I were a criminal (and it's not something I wouldn't consider), I'd like to be Joker. His brand of evil seems pure, untouched by the mere monetary pursuits of more ordinary lawbreakers. It's really a pleasure to see the man do what he does solely to terrorise the city. While it's probably not the most admirable trait in a young fellow, I can't help but admire how beatific his intent seems, relative to the rather boorish, materialistic ideas of the mob.
The second time I watched it (last night), I was able to focus my attention on the non-visual aspects of the film, especially the score, and the delivery of Ledger's lines. In particular, there is the opening bank-robbery scene in which a constant, moderately high-pitched whine operates increasing in volume and frequency, beginning with the shooting of the first clown. As the would-be thieves set about relieving the mob-bank of some of its ill-gotten funds, the whine pulses like a sine wave, making the tension in the air rapidly thicken. Reducing itself to faint background noise as gun shots ring and the crooks do away with each other, it brings together in seamless fashion, an outstanding scene that sets the tempo for the rest of the film with its slick brand of violence. Only once in the scene is the score relegated to second place: as the shotgun-toting guard lies on the floor bemoaning the unprincipled nature of Gotham's latest cadre of criminals, Joker responds with the (in my mind, classic) line, 'The only thing I believe in is that which does not kill you, makes you... stranger,' while ripping off his mask to reveal his war-painted countenance.
Each scene is rife with tension, and resembles a roller-coaster ride with a constant downward spiral. The roles played by Oldman, Eckhart, Gyllenhaal and Bale complement Ledger well, with none seeking to steal the spotlight. Bale is significantly more subdued in this movie than its prequel, merely parrying Ledger's stabs at society's fabric and peace-of-mind, mending the rents his nemisis tears and rips in Gotham, occasionally effecting a counter-stroke and spending time debating with the ever-droll Alfred (Caine) the nature of criminality and the need to remain strong in his conviction despite the cries for Batman's head following widespread violence in the city. The movie also brings the dependence of Batman on his able and willing support cast, consisting of Lucius Fox and Alfred who provide technical, ethical and spiritual advice to the Caped Crusader.
