The Dark Knight In Heath We Trust: A Ledgerbration: The TDK Joker Appreciation Thread - Part 1

[The Joker]

Looks like he was having fun with things. Bless him

He did say in interviews that it was the most fun he ever had playing a role.

 

[The_Manhunter]

Recently watched The Dark Knight - Heath Ledger's performance remains absolutely incredible. RIP Heath, TDKR (while still awesome) wasn't the same without you.

 

[The Joker]

And I don't think there's any doubt he would have been in TDKR if he was still alive.

 

[The Joker]

http://uproxx.com/filmdrunk/2014/11...as-revealed-about-heath-ledgers-joker-role/2/

 

[Greens]

http://uproxx.com/filmdrunk/2014/11...as-revealed-about-heath-ledgers-joker-role/2/

I'd never heard the story about the opening scene before. That's really endearing.

 

[The Joker]

I'd say there's lots of nice stories like that about Heath on set that we haven't heard. This is why Nolan should do a movie commentary for TDK.

 

[Keehar]

Sweet, what comic is that from?

Heath Ledger was not recognizable in this film. Seriously, I can't believe he was the Joker. He was exceptional. That's the sign of a very good actor.

It is such a shame he will not light up the screens again.

Too right. My favourite Joker.

 

[BatLobster]

http://uproxx.com/filmdrunk/2014/11...as-revealed-about-heath-ledgers-joker-role/2/

It's kind of sad how in every comments section dealing TDK or Ledger, you have the inevitable "this performance is overrated" or "It was a great performance but would we view it the same way if he hadn't died?" posts.

Ugh, why do I even bother reading comment sections...

 

[The Joker]

You find that kind of mentality on anything that is extremely popular. You pretty much have to be The Godfather movie at this stage, and even that gets accused of being overrated all the time, too.

 

[Travesty]

It's because you guys are on the opposition, and somehow, can't fathom how someone might have a different opinion. Why are you not up in arms when people say it's "a masterpiece/best performance ever" constantly?

And when someone says something is "overrated", it doesn't mean they automatically hate it. It just means it's not as good as what its generally perceived as. If most people scream that a movie or performance is a "11/10, brah. It's a masterpiece", and someone says it's "overrated", that may just mean they think the movie/performance is around an 8/10. And reading the comments in that article, the guy I'm assuming you're talking about says just that:

One of the most overrated performances EVER.
Sure, it cried out oscar bait, and it was good, but it wasn’t incredible.

I don't really see what's wrong with that? He says it's overrated, but still good.

 

[The Joker]

It's because you guys are on the opposition, and somehow, can't fathom how someone might have a different opinion.

It's got nothing to do with someone having a different opinion, it's the stupidity of said opinion that we take issue with. Like saying his performance is rated so well just because he died. Actors die all the time, you don't see their last performance being rated to the heights Heath's was.

That's the kind if stupid opinions I'm talking about.

And when someone says something is "overrated", it doesn't mean they automatically hate it.

Nobody said it did.

It just means it's not as good as what its generally perceived as. If most people scream that a movie or performance is a "11/10, brah. It's a masterpiece", and someone says it's "overrated", that may just mean they think the movie/performance is around an 8/10.

Not necessarily. Someone calling a movie overrated can mean anything, from thinking it's just good, to thinking it's average, to thinking it's plain bad.

Overrated means it gets more praise than it deserves, which can mean the person who thinks that can have any variety of lower opinions on it.

And reading the comments in that article, the guy I'm assuming you're talking about says just that:

I don't really see what's wrong with that? He says it's overrated, but still good.

Can't comment on this one. I don't know which comments in particular Batlobster was referring to.

 

[BatLobster]

It's because you guys are on the opposition, and somehow, can't fathom how someone might have a different opinion. Why are you not up in arms when people say it's "a masterpiece/best performance ever" constantly?

Nah, I can fathom it just fine. Tastes are different, that's no problem.

Like Joker said, it's more-so the constant bringing of Heath's death into the discussion that I find to be a cheap argument.

And no, I wasn't referring to the quote you posted. I mean, I made that post about a month ago, but pretty sure there were a few comments about the performance only getting praise because Heath died that I was reacting to. That bothers me because it's in poor taste, condescending, and not to mention just plain wrong.

It's no different than if I were to say, "People only hate on the performance to be cool/different."

 

[Greens]

Heath Ledger died seven years ago today. Time flies!!

 

[Travesty]

Nah, I can fathom it just fine. Tastes are different, that's no problem.

Then why did you bring up the "overrated" bit? I understand your guys points about his death, but when you clearly wrote "overrated", and then say it's fine to have different opinions, your original post doesn't really jive with me.

I dunno, whatever...

 

[The Joker]

Heath Ledger died seven years ago today. Time flies!!

I remember my friend texting me to turn on the news. I was shocked. A lot of us were also wondering if TDK would be ok as we didn't know if Heath had totally finished his work on it in post production.

 

[BatLobster]

Then why did you bring up the "overrated" bit? I understand your guys points about his death, but when you clearly wrote "overrated", and then say it's fine to have different opinions, your original post doesn't really jive with me.

I dunno, whatever...

Because my point was specifically about people who were saying that people overrate the performance because of his death. Sorry I should've been more clear about that, I was only paraphrasing the comments anyway, but I know that's what was mainly on my mind when I made that post.

Ah, well. 7 years. I'll always remember getting that news. I was living off-campus in a house with a bunch a friends and we were all anticipating the crap out of TDK. We sat around like a bunch of mopes glued to the news that whole night. One of our other friends joked that it was as if the Pope had just died or something, but it really just felt close to home for any fan who was really in the midst of TDK fever. It was so fresh off of the prologue and trailer hitting and everyone getting super pumped about his version of The Joker.

 

[Travesty]

Because my point was specifically about people who were saying that people overrate the performance because of his death. Sorry I should've been more clear about that, I was only paraphrasing the comments anyway, but I know that's what was mainly on my mind when I made that post.

But you didn't, they were in different quotes, and separated by "or".

you have the inevitable "this performance is overrated" or "It was a great performance but would we view it the same way if he hadn't died?" posts.

 

[Two-Face]

Heath Ledger died seven years ago today. Time flies!!

R.I.P Heath Ledger always be remembered and Love Batman or not you will appreciate Ledger playing the Joker in TDK. I can't believe it has been 7 years.

 

[antsman41]

It sucks to think about all of the awesome roles Ledger may have been in, or films he may have directed over the past few years.

RIP Heath, you were amazing.

 

[shauner111]

Was thinking about that earlier this week..

What he could have done with Nolan and other directors.

 

[BatLobster]

But you didn't, they were in different quotes, and separated by "or".

Look, I made that comment like a month ago so my memory is a little fuzzy. I was probably painting with too a wide brush and grouping the people who said it was overrated with the people who said it was overrated because he died. Those two ideas melded together in my mind due to the tone of a lot of the comments. I wasn't trying to make a distinction, but you're right, of course there is one. Hope that clears everything up. Or am I still on trial?

 

[The Joker]

Was thinking about that earlier this week..

What he could have done with Nolan and other directors.

TDKR for a start I think

 

[QueenChaos]

I was honestly captivated by Ledger's Joker before his performance came to pass. It had been a long time since I was so hyped up over a Batman feature, and seeing that first reveal.. the close up of his face, I can remember how excited I was.

Of course most people were debating his look and omg he's not permawhite and etc, but it was just mesmerizing to me somehow.
I never doubted how awesome Ledger would do with the role of the Joker. Not that I was one of those swoony obsessed fangirls, I had barely watched any of his other films at that point.. it's this that got me to take another look at him as an actor and discover he was a rare kind. It's this role that generated my respect and admiration of the guy.
I really think his life barely scratched the surface of his potential, and that his accolades were well earned.

He died a week before my birthday in 2008. Pretty shocking and terrible all around, for someone who lived and breathed the production of that film along with my fellow hypers. I mean no one can forget that INSANE viral marketing campaign, the long hours, the restless nights.

Going to the midnight premiere of TDK was unreal, and dream-like.. it wasn't until my second viewing later that day (lol who didn't see it several times) that I was really able to absorb it.
I distinctly remember breaking out in laughter at his demented clowning, because it echoed through the walls of the movie theatre and broke the ice for everyone else. Yes, that guy just got stabbed in the eye with a pencil.. Yes, it's okay to laugh..

A nostalgic moment brought to you by Queen Chaos, lol. This film really changed things, forever.. there's no going back..

 

[StarLord]

Just saw on IMDB's homepage that today was Heath's birthday.

 

[The Joker]

So it is. He would have been 36.

Happy Birthday, Heath.