by Jared Bailey

Created on: October 24, 2008   Last Updated: April 02, 2011

The character of the Joker in the comics was that of pure evil. The Joker's main purpose in life was to make Batman's life a three ring circus from hell. Any actor could have said the lines and played the part, but only one has done it the way it should be done. This actor is Heath Ledger. While watching The Dark Knight, I didn't feel like I was watching Heath, I felt like I was watching the evil, maniacal, demon of a clown that is the Joker. When watching Nicholson's portrayal of the Joker I could still see the man behind the clown. I could still detect that certain air that Nicholson brings into all his movies. In The Dark Knight Ledger ceased to be himself and became the Joker.

Batman may have been originally for kids, but there was always a darker side to the comics that adults could understand. Batman Begins and The Dark Knight appeal to this dark side. This is why that the Joker in The Dark Knight was so much more demented than that of the 1989 film. As good an actor as Jack Nicholson is, I don't believe that he could deliver a performance to match that of Ledger's. Nicholson was crazy, but he just wasn't Joker crazy. Perhaps Tim Burton didn't want Nicholson to portray the Joker with the correct amount of insanity that was needed.

When I watched Batman (1989) and the Joker came on screen, I couldn't wait until the scene was over and Michael Keaton came on scene. In fact, I was annoyed by Jack Nicholson's performance. However, when I watched The Dark Knight I couldn't wait for the scenes with Heath. Even before I saw The Dark Knight, I was disappointed with Nicholson's portrayal of the Joker. When I walked into the theater to see The Dark Knight I had high expectations and wondered if Heath was up to the task of playing the part of the Joker. I was blown out of my mind by his performance. He was the Joker in every way I could possibly imagine. He was insane, he was evil, he was unpredictable while at the same time being a criminal genius. He was the clown prince of crime.

It is terribly regretful that Heath Ledger will no longer be able to play the Joker due to his untimely end, may he rest in peace. I only hope that whoever is to replace him will be able to fill his shoes. It may be wise to remove the character of the Joker from the movies for I believe that no one can play the Joker as Heath has done. The performance of Jack Nicholson is one that I will most likely forget, but Heath Ledger's performance is one I will remember until my dying day.

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