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Joker vs Joker (Jack Nicholson vs Heath Ledger) by SilverLightsaber
The Pitch: Jack or Heath? Which Joker is better? SilverLightsaber put together a trailer mashup where both Jokers must face off. Not quite as good as Battle of the Batmans, but worth checking out.
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July 17th, 2008 at 12:19 am
Sorry Jack, your Joker was great for a long time but has definitely been outdone by a wonderful performance from Heath. Heath’s Joker hands-down.
July 17th, 2008 at 12:24 am
I say the best Joker, hands down, is……………………………………………………….Chuck Norris!
July 17th, 2008 at 12:30 am
Chuck Norris, how original.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:16 am
I think both of them did great performances. I even think that Nicholson would have been a great “new” Joker in that Christopher Nolan Movie, too. Just remember his performance in “Kuckoo’s Nest” where he was some kind of tragic like Heath’s Joker is.
Lets face it: The Joker is one of the most complex comic-villains ever. I would never want to be the actor who has to perform that. The joker has to be “funny” somehow but also really really serious. Only the best actors can do this.
What I like about the new Batman-Movies is the fact, that those characters are finally well drawn and not overacted like in movies before.
If Heath had not played the Joker I guess Patrick Wilson would’ve been a good joker, too.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:24 am
Watching that video it proves the differences that Ledger will bring as a better Joker than Nicholson, i think that Nicholson even will say he is a better Joker.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:42 am
out of all the ‘versus’ videos on youtueb, this one is just plain out L-A-M-E. LAME!
i rather watch another helping of ‘Robocop vs Terminator’ instead.
July 17th, 2008 at 6:14 am
Yeah this one sucked but the part where Jack says, “You ever dance with the devil in the pale moon light?”
And Ledger’s joker says, “Hmmm, I like that!”
That part was cool!
July 17th, 2008 at 6:29 am
‘Here’s my card’
beats
‘You can call me Joker’.
July 17th, 2008 at 6:39 am
Jack Nicholson did a BAD job as the Joker. He wasn’t scary at all. He was just dumb.
July 17th, 2008 at 6:55 am
You have to understand, the ‘89 Batman was great, but it was really the Joker as Jack Nicholson.
In the Dark Knight, we’re getting Heath Ledger as the Joker, playing the Joker, being the Joker. Not the Joker being Jack.
Jack did a good job, but it did not age well. Nicholson was channeling Ceaser Romero, while Ledger was trying to really do the Joker as he was while respecting what Nicholson exemplified.
God… one more day…
July 17th, 2008 at 7:31 am
I saw an early screening of TDK last night at an IMAX and I’ve got to say… Ledger makes Nicholson look like a circus clown. I have no doubt in my mind that he’ll win the oscar for best supporting character
July 17th, 2008 at 8:09 am
Wow, by comparison, Nicholson’s Joker looks like something out of the 60’s Batman TV show!
July 17th, 2008 at 8:25 am
You guys stop this Nicholson vs Ledger thing.
It’s clear to me that Cesar Romero is by far the one who’s given the most intense deep complex subtil bretchinian contemporary post-revolucionary interpretation on the role. Ever!
Now, seriously, I do think there’s not much of a point comparing diferente actors in the same part, mainly because each one belongs in a different MOVIE, made by different PURPOSES and in different TIMES. It’s like comparing Johnny Depp and Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. You can prefer one of them, but both did perfect in order to fit the FILM’s mood.
And don’t forget that Ledger had Romero and Nicholson to look at as a previous reference - as did Nolan with Burton - so it’s natural they would go in another direction to renew the Batman “franchise”.
July 17th, 2008 at 8:49 am
I think Jack Nicholson was great for Burton’s Batman. Burton brought the movie right out of the comic book and on to the screen. His was fun entertainment, and Keaton played a cool Batman that was a crime fighter for kids to look up to as a true hero. I loved Jack’s funny yet dark interpretation… although I never thought he did a good laugh or voice, he allways sounded like himself.
Ledger was great for Nolan’s Batman. Nolan wanted to create a realistic version of Batman, set in a real background that is dark and gritty. His is a modern, epic, crime drama. Bale’s Batman is tormented and driven to justice by his own guilt and anger. Ledger’s Joker is a force of absolute chaos and evil. He is a psychopathic, sociopathic, sadistic, masacistic, anarchist who is hell-bent on getting his way and destroying Batman physically, emotionally, and mentally. He is a realistic, gritty, and terrifying criminal serial killer. His background isn’t comic bookish, it’s real. As is Batman’s. And I must say, Ledger got the laugh and voice down, and unlike Jack, was able to get totally into his character.
In my opinion each one is great for their own time period and movie. But I personally like Ledger’s interpretation better.
Like Pepsi and Coke. Coke is a classical taste that is refreshing to enjoy (Nicholson), while Pepsi is modern in it’s taste and has a WOW pop to it’s enjoyment (Ledger). Of course I’m a Pepsi man, and Ledger is, to me, the legitimate interpretation of the character… even though Jack had his place.
As for Romero, he’s more like RC… it’s pure 60’s camp.
@Antonio
Sorry to say, but Gene Wilder is the only good Willy Wonka. As much as I respect Burton and Depp, they really screwed up that movie.
July 17th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Truly amazing work, man. This is one for the books.. er, I mean, youtube faves.. click click
July 17th, 2008 at 10:01 am
I really loved Jack Nicholson as the Joker, but the thing that stops me from saying his was better than Heath’s is the fact that when I watch Jack Nicholson’s version, I think of it as him, as opposed to the Joker.
I have yet to see The Dark Knight, but judging by the trailers, you aren’t watching Heath playing the Joker, you are watching the Joker playing the Joker. Which is what it is really all about.
July 17th, 2008 at 10:03 am
this discussion is actually pretty interesting. I didnt know that Nicholson based the Joker on Cesar Romero, because to be honest, I thought the 1989 Batman movie was crap. I saw it again after 19 years on TV and I thought to myself, “wow, people liked this crap when it came out in 89?” I remember how I USED to love this movie when I was a kid, but now it looks silly, comparing to The Dark Knight and Ledger’s performance.
I remember Heath Ledger said that he based the Joker on Johnny Rotten and some serial killers. Pretty intense,. CAn’t WAIT, man.
July 17th, 2008 at 11:09 am
ok i got my tickets for tonites midnight show YES FINALLLY SOME BATARANG, i’d have to say that the joker in 89 was the best i would not ever want to change it it went with the whole theme of bataman for that movie, and the same is true here.
the only difference is that burton like to make movies he want to watch and nolan has made a movie we all wana watch.
i have to say that up till now i have seen hardly a hater but the one thing that is geting on my nerves is that people keep mentioning cesar romero and i dont like that i thought his joker was @#$@#%$@#$%$@#%@ get the point i never liked that show it was too simple for my tastes at the time and i was like not even 10 years old the last time i saw it.
July 17th, 2008 at 11:19 am
i my mind their both great, only problem is jack nicholson’s overdosed make-up, too much, heath’s had the perfect amount, and the glued on smile of jack nicholson’s joker. other than that, their both joker geniuses.
July 17th, 2008 at 11:54 am
I always liked and still like Jack’s Joker, but he did bring a lot
of himself into the role, so a lot of time I would merely see Jack.
I look forward to watching Heath’s performance. From what I have
seen so far (and heard) he is the Joker I’ve always wanted to see
in a Batman movie. Some clips I’ve seen actually give me
goosebumps.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
I saw Burton’s Batman yesterday and i have to say that movie did not age well, Gotham City looks great but everything else is a joke. Batman is more like a damsel in distress and the Joker is … pure shit. Not funny, not scary, just embarrassing.
July 17th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
while i enjoyed nicholson’s performance back in the day, ledger’s performance will completely overshadow it… this new joker isn’t just another bad guy who we know will eventually be beaten by the bat; this guy is truly frightening and makes you hesitate when you think of how batman will beat him….
hands down: heath ledger makes psychotic killer look wickedly awesome.
July 17th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I don’t think we are at liberty to say who is the best.Both movies are yes,the same in a way yet completely different.Jack was a great joker in relation to the comic book but Heath playing the Joker is supposed to be much more darker.Hence the title of the movie.
July 18th, 2008 at 1:43 am
I am of a younger generation and wasn’t around when the 1989 batman came out so I have actually not seen it yet. But, I do plan on watching it before I watch The Dark Night, and I do plan on seeing TDN in theaters.
July 18th, 2008 at 2:06 am
i think its very simple here. Jack represents the more “comic” side of joker looks and what not. Heath represents the more “realistic” side of joker such as looks and what not. Both movies are made with different set moods / feelings.
July 18th, 2008 at 2:08 am
jack was a classic but leadger is a legend of the joker.
July 18th, 2008 at 2:11 am
leadger’s joker is the best!
July 18th, 2008 at 2:47 am
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July 18th, 2008 at 7:50 am
jack is a better joker by far……heath is a dead joker
ahahahhahahahhhahahahahahaa
July 18th, 2008 at 7:51 am
a dead joker can’t act
July 18th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Heath’s version of the Joker is better than Jack’s it’s that simple.
Heath’s version was darker, more realistic, and he also did the
” pencil trick” Jack’s was good, but Heath’s was better.
July 18th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
I liked both versions of the Joker, but I will have to give the EDGE to Heath Ledgers version, his Joker seemed tougher, when he fights Batman it’s not one sided. The Dark Knight is the best Batman movie made yet. It’s one movie not to miss. The trick with the pencil is one example of how Heaths Joker was not one to mess with. Nothing personal against Jack, he’s cool and all that, but Heath’s Joker wins this contest.
July 18th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Well, considering, when Jack played Joker, all he really had to do was be himself. He was perfect for the role in that sense. But still, Heath’s Joker took a great deal of acting talent to pull off. Also, Heath’s Joker was probably modelled after Jack’s, so without Jack’s first stellar performance, this new Joker might never have come to exist. So, I’m still undecided on whose is better, but Heath gets points for the sheer difficulty of the role, while Jack ought to get credit for being the one who set the bar.
July 18th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Heath Ledger by far. I mean, Jack is awesome and all, but Heath brings the real touch. Rest in peace.
July 18th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Heath DID NOT take jack’s joker as a ‘prototype’. Heath himself said that he wants to create a newer version of The Joker and would be disrespectful if he emulated Jack.
Heath has portrayed, without doubt, the most terrifying, demonic Joker yet!
July 18th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
jack Was What You Expected Heath Is What We Hoped For.
Simply I Loved Both Moives , But I am a Comic Juckie , I was Happy To Finallly See A Joker That Wasnt Such A Joke.
Team Ledger
July 18th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Wow. Tim Burton’s Batman looks positively high-key compared to Nolan’s, which is funny. remember back when we all thought Burton’s Batman was “dark”?
July 18th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Heath is the modern James Dean.
It was an amazing performance to say the VERY least. Breath taking. As someone said before, The Joker was playing Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger was playing The Joker. I had to continually remind myself who was playing the part. I was mesmerized, to say the least.
July 19th, 2008 at 7:26 am
Heath is a so much better joker than jack. Jack was more a funny joker but Heath was a more twisteed and insane joker
July 19th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Jack Nicholsons Joker was good..
but
Heath Ledgers Joker is the villain of all villains. He has set a mark. He did a great job. Heath.. may you rest in peace.. :(( cries.. it was that good.
July 19th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
I just saw the film and I was disappointed in Ledger’s performance. His makeup is great, and I absolutely LOVE his lines. The cinematography is also good.
July 19th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
BUT NONE OF THIS IS THE RESULT OF GOOD ACTING. just because he does the pencil trick doesn’t mean that if Jim Carrey or Robin Williams or Jack Nick played the character that the scene would be cut!!!!!!
There were quite a few times when Heath had a chance to bring the character to life and he failed miserably. OK he looks more realistic. That’s not what actors do. Thats what set designers do.
July 19th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
I’m glad the joker wasn’t killed so he can kick batman’s @$$ again in the next movie… I really hate the premise of batman’s character: Rich kid that wants to feel important so he wastes his dad’s money and his engineer’s time designing crime fighting equipment that he just trashes in one outing… along with an @$$load of public property. He’s so 1-dimensional Keanu Reaves could play him.
Ledger has a better voice than Jack, but Jack said everything so perfectly
July 19th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
I think Eckhart handled two-face’s dialogue better than Ledger handled joker’s
Samuel L Jackson should play the joker in the next movie:
“Say what again fool!!!”
ahaahaahahaahah!!!!!!!!!
July 19th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
I have got to say that Heath Ledger was by far the better Joker. Nicholson is one of my favorite actors and he did an awesome job in pretty much any movie he is in but as the joker, the two actors cant even be compared.
Nicholson and Burton for that matter, took on a more campy portrayal of Batman and the Joker. It all looks like a comic book world with Burton’s expressionistic style. Looking back and examining Burton and his body of works that Batman and Joker was very cookie cutter and dull, it is what we expected the joker to have been based on TOS.
Nolan took the more realistic route which is what we wanted from the batman franchise especially after the terrible pos 3rd and 4th batman movies. Heath Ledger clearly put in so much effort to really make the joker the sadistic dark madman that he should be. Others have mentioned that Ledgers Joker was unfunny. I’d disagree, there were many lines where i found him funny. It wasn’t outlandish laugh out loud funny. If it were than we wouldn’t be able to take his character and THE Dark Knight seriously. Heath did a better job because of the subtle mannerisms he gave to the Joker character. I would go more in depth but I don’t want to ruin parts of the film for those who haven’t seen it.
In film studies there is a concept of an auteur when examining directors. If we were to apply this concept to screen actors, after this performance, Heath Ledger could be considered an auteur. He took ideas proposed by John Kitses and put it into practice. He took the cookie cutter role of the joker, which is a very complex character, but had been played very satirically till now, and added complexities to the character.
July 19th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
The Dark Knight really lives up to the hype and Ledger finished his life playing the best role he’s ever done. His crazy antics as the Joker kept me on the edge of my seat during the whole film. Heath’s performance made Jack’s perfomance look like a cartoon. Make sure you see this one in IMAX. No Jokers will ever match Ledger.
July 20th, 2008 at 4:16 am
Nicholson and Ledger both had very different approaches/outlooks on the jokers personality. I found Ledger’s joker to be much more entertaining. Every word from his mouth had the catch and the character of the joker.
July 20th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
HEATH LEDGER IS BY FAR THE BEST JOKER!
Ledger definately deserves an Oscar for Best Villian,
seriously.
Best performance by far, Heath Ledger did everything perfectly.
Before his death, people were like, “Heath Ledger as the joker? No way.” Nobody thought he was the right person for the role of the joker.
…And now everyone is kicking themselve’s in the face saying “Wow, he did a phenominal job”
Best batman movie by far.
Heath Ledger is the ultimate joker…BY FAR.
he is a legend and picked one hell of a role to be his last.
RIP HEATH LEDGER!
amazing actor…
July 20th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Heath Ledger has taken the role of the Joker to a whole new level, finally portraying him correctly in every perspective. No doubt a hard role to play, and props to Jack for his good attempt.
July 20th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
I have to say Jack was a very good joker. But last night i went to see THE DARK KNIGHT and Heath did a fine job. He was more dark and funny at the same time, Jack was funny, but in a cheesy childish way. No offense. And they did BATMAN in the late 80’s, so it’s pretty old, and a new joker has been born, well…dead i guess, but Heath was a great actor, and no one will never forget him.
July 20th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
some guy said nicholson played a better joker?
Jack did a better job at a comic book joker. Heath did a better job at being the joker.
Jack and the old batman movies were really simply easy to write up. in the old batman movies the joker was sjut a villian.
In the new batman movies it went further than that. I can go into a detailed explanation as to why anyone who said Jack’s joker was better is an idiot.
heath Ledger WAS the joker. Jack nicholson emulated the joker.
Heath spoke, acted and did everything perfectly. beyond perfectly.
July 20th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
jboggie. you’re quite frankly an idiot.
I can go into great detail as to why, I just hope its worth my time
July 20th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Sorry Jack, Heath rolled that up and smoked it!!!!! Oscar Oscar!!!
Yes I am a comic nerd and Dark Knight made me start buying DC comics. The TV series and Tim Burton’s version was just tooooo campy for me. Jack as Joker was just Jack being Jack. It was the Shining in makeup
Heath delivered the most amazing acting job period that I have seem of any actor any role in a loong time.
Disturbing, complex, Nolan’s styling was superb, hats off to the chlorine green hair instead of the clown green. This film was an archetypal example on how to translate a comic book imagery into film. I tired of seeing plastic looking costumes and CGI up the ying yang
Wacth me make this pencil dissapear! This Joker was more disturbing than the Exorcist.
July 20th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
angry boomstick, u suck. u say the joker wasnt even scary, well hes the JOKER not the SCARER, nicholson actually made jokes to where as ledger just cryed about his scars, ledger fails.
July 20th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
phatalis, again u are bad to. did ledger make any jokes really? did he use jokes and gimmics like the real Joker? no. ledger was the emulater, not nicholson. any half-wit fool can watch the news and hear about how his performance was “great” and not actually look into it taking into account the Bob Kane REAL Joker.
July 21st, 2008 at 3:53 am
Jack wisn hands down i dont buy itno this dark crappy make up joker ledger did at all joker was… a joker so hello of course it needs comedy!
Jack wins HANDs DOWN!!!!!
not to mention the best one liners ever!!!
July 21st, 2008 at 10:24 am
Heath Ledger did an amazing job portraying the joker. The joker was supposed to be dark and terrifying. Jack Nicholson and Tim Burtan were pure shit.
July 21st, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Why is there even a comparison? Am I the only one that thinks that Jack Nicholson as the Joker was just shit? It was like the romero guy from the old tv series. Just terrible…
And to that jboogie guy: your an idiot. Stop sucking nicholson’s dick.
July 21st, 2008 at 12:19 pm
what is this talk of nicholson setting the bar as the joker? im not saying he’s a bad actor or anything but his joker was just crap. he’s just playing any other role except with excessive makeup and that horrible paste on smile. at least ledger changed his voice completely, you can’t even tell he’s aussie.
oh yea jboogies a bitch
July 21st, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Both Jokers were incredible. However I have to agree with what people are saying about Jack’s Joker. When I watch it, all I can think is ‘Wow, that’s Jack Nicholson’ instead of ‘Wow, that’s the Joker’. I think it’s because in Burton’s version, they showed him before he became the Joker. As opposed to Nolan’s version where you never see the Joker as anything other than, well, the Joker.
I would definitely choose Heath’s Joker over Jack’s. Jack Nicholson took the comic book version of the Joker and brought him to life, but Heath went beyond that and really got into the mindset of the Joker. While I was watching The Dark Knight all I could think was:
“Wow, that’s the Joker!”
July 21st, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Wow…I thought the last batman sucked and this one as well. I was laughing everytime the batman guy talked…what’s with the low gruffly voice? Jack ROCKS …his one liners are legend and Heath’s are okay….. I went to see this one mainly because of “Ledger” but during the movie I kept thinking your kidding….this is real a joke…a joke of a movie…
Rest in peace Ledger you made other wonderful films!
July 21st, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Why is there even a comparison. Jack Nicholson as the Joker was Jack Nicholson in Joker makeup. He was obviously emulating Romero. Sorry but Jack’s Joker was a Joke. When you think back you dont think of the Joker you think of Jack as the Joker. He didnt bring the character to life.
The people who say Jack’s Joker made a great comic book joker obviously never read the comics. The Joker of the comics was a homicidal maniac, not just some thug is white face with a case of the giggles. Do yourself a favor and read YEAR ONE or THE KILLING JOKE and you’ll get an idea of why i think Nolan’s batman is on spot.
Ledger’s joker and Nolan’s batman series was the closest thing to watching Batman Year One and other Batman issues in live action. I honestly felt it stayed true to the comics in the sense that it painted a very good picture of the motivations, struggles, internal struggles of the characters from the Batman comics.
Sorry but it’s no contest here. Ledger’s Joker all the way. Now this is not saying Jack can’t act (obviously he can) however, his joker just didnt cut it for me.
I did however like the Tim Burton’s Batman with Catwoman and the Penguin.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:14 pm
why must it be heath vs. jack, two totally interpretaions in two totally different movies about the same comic, Jack’s version was more geared toward the ‘comic’ aspect, and was much more family friendly, which heath’s is clearly not. when I saw the jack version, I tought he did a great interpretation based on caesar romero’s joker character, which was the best of any villain on the batman tv show ( sorry Riddler fans). heath should win an oscar, he created a completely different character which fit the tone of this movie, too bad they had to get cute and shoehorn in the two face charater within the same movie.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:07 am
I think these we’re two very different movies, from different decades. For those out there saying that Heath’s character take on the Joker was so much better than Jack’s because he was darker and more psychotic, should realize that this is a very different Batman altoether. The only way to say Heath’s is better, would be to redo the ‘89 version and cast Ledger. This Joker was so different from any other; whether movie, comic book or tv. There was no chemical accident, just war paint and self inflicted wounds. As far as I know, the Joker always wanted to kill Batman. I think this was more a psychopath parading as the Joker than the Joker himself.
I’m also not understanding where the voice of the Joker is suddenly something known to everyone. It’s comes from a comic book for god sakes. The only person who can say who has the right voice is the creator of the character. Everyone’s opinion, including my own, is subjective and should be treated as such.
I think Jack was already the Joker for the movie he starred in. That was the tone of the movie and he kept with it. Heath did the same with The Dark Knight.
Now I do think that Heath was amazing in the movie! Really stole the show. But so did Jack.
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:45 pm
anyone that has the opinion that the dark knight sucked compared to the campy tim burton originals has to be a complete and total moron. the dark knight will kick your ass and leave you gasping for air. ledger, bale, freeman, oldman, caine… should i keep going? come on people. this new franchise is the real deal. hands down the best film adaptation of the batman comics. all you goofballs trashing this movie need to stick to watching the mediocre summer blockbuster fare you so clearly adore. best comic book movie ever!
July 25th, 2008 at 6:00 am
First of all:
Nicholson’s Joker was great. Funny, witty, goofy sometimes, but also terrific with a capacity to kill in a random way with no explanation (when he shot his assistant because Batman caught his baloon’s fulled with poison). But you could see that it has more Jack then Joker on the role.
While Ledger, completely disappears on the role. You cannot recognise his natural voice or his walk and mannors.
And despite i’m not a big fan of ledger’s work (except is Ennis del Mar role in Brokeback Mountain), I have to recognise that he did a HELL OF A JOB.
And the reason that is better than Jack, it isn’t because the caracteristics of each one (Nicholson more witty, goofy, funny but deadly as well and Ledger completely dark) because you can’t compare styles.
But because you see more Jack than Joker on Jack’s Joker, and on the opposite side you see just JOKER on Ledger’s JOKER.
July 25th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Jack is a crappy joker. He gets owned by the Batman like
a dork…Heath was funnier, the jokes Jack did were crap.
They sucked reall;y bad, he was so cheesy. Heath was
real, and had a way better performance. Jboogie your
just gay. You mock a dead man? Too bad that dead
man is more famous then everybody who posted comments
here, so great job your just a loser with no life. You
know nothing of the acting world. “This world needs an
enema.” *Blows horn* OMG, how hilarious…(Psych) Now the
Heath. “Hell-ooo beautiful.” *Pushes hair back and
licks lips* The nurse outfit its all so much funnier.
July 26th, 2008 at 7:03 am
Ledger’s Joker wins hands down, but it’s worth mentioning that 20 years have passed since Nicholson’s Joker. Also, Jack’s Joker sort of paved the way for Heath’s by adding a little sickness to the horrible, kooky TV Batman series Joker.
So I give Jack for doing his Joker when he did it, but damn Heath was a disturbing son of a bitch. I love how someone will do something, and he starts to reel away from them, but controls himself. Very visceral.
RIP, Heath.
July 26th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
It’s very difficult to compare the two characters because they represent comics from different eras.
Nicholson’s take draws from the humorous, cartoony Joker from the 70’s and maybe early 80’s. We’re talking about a villain that was a little bit more human than the vision we have today. Destructive and scary, yes, but motivated by human sentiments like greed and egotism. He is mad in the sense of his immorality and apathy towards others in pursuit of his own amusement. Nicholson captured this Joker who’s every action is done for his own amusement. He injected it with life and personality, transforming a goofy character that could easily have fallen flat into the star of the film.
Ledger’s Joker is drawn from the image created by two of the most brilliant minds in the comic book industry, Frank Miller and Alan Moore. Miller’s 1986 piece “The Dark Knight Returns” re-imagined Batman as a character driven more by his inner demons than the standard super hero desires to be nice and good. It also created a Joker that didn’t smile or laugh, one that took pleasure in scheming and killing without the need for a joke. Moore’s “The Killing Joke” (which Ledger is reported to have read to help understand his character) continued Miller’s darker concept but injected it with more insanity. You could say that the Joker believes in insanity as a philosophy, one he wants to convince others to believe in too. I think this provides a lot of Ledger’s motivation and he brings that type of character to life brilliantly.
The Joker has always been my favorite villain so it’s hard for me to pick a favorite performance. I do think that since there have been so many Batman films by the time Ledger came along he had the freedom to try and create something new whereas Nicholson’s film was the first and so it had the responsibility to try and bring the original material to life.
July 27th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Jack Nicholson, HANDS DOWN…most amazing batman of all time…
July 27th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Ledger was the Joker? Well then someone contact the writers of the comics, because if that is the case, they totally wrote their stories wrong….Lets see first we remove the whole Red Hood bit, then we cross out the parts where he falls into a vat of chemicals that BLEACHES his skin white, turns his hair green and gives him that famous smile, and drives him a bit further into insanity. Replace that with what was it childhood abuse….self mutilation, as to how he got the “scars” on each side of his mouth. Take out all the jokes all the insane laughter, and replace it with ledgers act and yes then ledger would be the Joker…
But seeing as thats not the actual storyline, then Im not seeing how he was the joker….I think this movie and the last sucked…
July 28th, 2008 at 7:56 am
Heath played a great role, but what he played wasn’t the Joker as defined by the comic books or any of the other Batman shows/movies. The Joker isn’t that maniacal. Jack played a more true role and had better dialogue and taglines.
July 28th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
This is in reply to Jackson, who said: jack is a better joker by far……heath is a dead joker
ahahahhahahahhhahahahahahaa
i dont think you should joke about something like that cos many people are extremely sad and people like you shouldnt be laughing about in on the internet
July 29th, 2008 at 3:25 am
Here’s the deal. Tim Burtons Bat movies were good for what they were. But they were terrible interpretations of the characters. In the Nolan movies , batman is a ninja, crimefighter, and most of all, detective. And Heath Ledger’s performance is the first time joker wasn’t watered down or sugar coated. He’s really the only joker so far. Nolans movies brought the comics to life.
July 29th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
I prefer Ledger’s Joker, but don’t neglect Nolan’s contributions to the role. His vision is far darker and grittier than any of the previous Batman films. Ledger was fantastic because he looked almost clinically insane as the Joker - it’s what made his portrayal stand out so much in my mind - but it was made possible because it fit in perfectly with Nolan’s vision.
July 30th, 2008 at 7:20 am
Jack did a better job, his joker was more with the comics i feel. Ledger just blew people up and made it more of a game, kind of like how the riddler does, but Jack’s joker did kill everyone in the museum, did try to poison every one in the city buy giving them money, then try to kill them all. Jack did have a better laff, and his character did give others that creepy grin like his when they died of the poison. Ledger did do a good creepy job as a bad guy and as a villain but his joker was a different type. More mental, maybe, smarter, yes.. With all his well detailed plans in the dark knight, and not wanted to kill batman, but just mess with him. Ten years from now we will be better able to decide what joker was better. You got to admit though, Jack had to work with Keaton as a batman, and he wasn’t that great as a batman, and Ledger had bale who in my mind was a great batman, so ledger had an easier one to work with, where as Jack was the only thing worth watching in burtons batman.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Between the two of them, they make one whole joker…. They are both incomplete characters. Ledger clearly had a better script, but his acting was hardly a difficult thing to pull off… If he wasn’t dead, this movie wouldn’t have broken any records.
July 31st, 2008 at 5:14 am
Heath Ledger is the better joker HANDS DOWN! Jack was a JOKE whereas Heath played this memorable role as being frightening and incorporating humour within the role, and that is exactly how i see the joker as being. Heath Ledger definetly has to win an oscar for his performance. R.I.P Heath (F)
July 31st, 2008 at 5:22 am
wag1 folks.
yo HEATH is a legend boii ! what a rle da guy tuk on blad !
July 31st, 2008 at 5:22 am
rip heath
legend!
July 31st, 2008 at 5:24 am
HEATH LEDGER…….
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BEST
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July 31st, 2008 at 5:25 am
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August 2nd, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Jack was awesome as the joker, burton’s batman is 20 years old but would still be awesome if it came out now. I don’t get why people are bashing him, he played a brilliant role. Heath’s joker, well, he’s awesome, but how much does his death influence people’s opinions, I ask? If you’re going to compare them, jack had to have played in the new dark night and he had to have died at the same age he was 20 years ago. So who knows, I don’t, you don’t, too much style and time difference and biased opinions.
August 3rd, 2008 at 1:43 pm
[quote name='MrDean' date='Aug 2 2008, 04:52 AM' post='2081385']
It is because they buy into that good black men shortage myth and try to take advantage of it. We discussed this earlier in the thread somewhat.
Educated and professional is something to be proud of, but some do translate it to I’m better than you, treat me like it.
[/quote]
I’ll ditto that. I try to encourage sisters not to persist with the Black men shortage because first of all it’s a myth. Secondly…when you zero on in job, education and salary it let’s brothers off the hook in regards to personality and character. When I see a list of qualities someone wants in a man and they involve job, home, car, level of education - listed first, I think you’ll end up with an educated, gainfully employed jerk.
re: Manny…I actually hate baseball. But I wouldn’t cut my locs for any job. I wouldn’t do it now and if I was in his position I would only have more leeway to keep them. There is nothing on my resume in regards to my hair.
[b]***Disclaimer - [i]The views of Amadeo are his own and are not endorsed by every man on earth. These responses were not formed by committee and no other men were consulted in formulating them.[/i] [/b]
August 3rd, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Sorry…pasted by mistake now I’m lazy
Heath.
August 4th, 2008 at 3:07 am
naw i disagree with GI Joe…
Heath Legder did an amazing job as Joker!!
you gotta understand that the Joker’s character is bout playing games but at the same time he’s somebody you shouldn’t messed with, insane and etc…
Jack did an alright part as joker…. he did have that scary look but i loved the Heath Ledger’s part as Joker because he really got into character on how the Joker became the Joker…
seriously think bout on how they did the makeup on Heath… the way he had those scars really told you bout the character.. he gave it away when he said why he hated his father and how he got those scars… he gave you an insight on how smart the Joker was… there were parts that were funny and i liked that because the Joker is supposed to be funny on sum parts… but has to have an edge… and Heath Ledger gave you that…
he picked the best role!
R.I.P
August 4th, 2008 at 3:10 am
an also he actually got you to get into character and think bout how the Joker was and damn that was freaky… that gave me goosebumps just watching it and thinking bout it
August 8th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
See, the problem that i’ve always had with Jack nicholson’s joker is that when he played the joker, he didn’t play the joker; he played almost every other role he’s ever played again.
Now when Heath played the joker, he actually played as the joker. And a disturbingly creepy joker, too.
August 9th, 2008 at 7:42 am
IMO, the “remake” movie should show it after 2020 so that no one could argue in between Jack and Heath while these actors are still alive, except Heath.
In 1989, Batman is good for children to view. It’s clean and less bloody violence. I like Jack as a Joker cuz his smile does suit the Joker’s smile. He has evil looking with his grins. His job intends to be a bad character as evil/crazy/villian.
In 2008, Batman looks more bloody criminal and it scares children.
It is good for mid-teenagers and above to view it.
Heath? I never knew that Joker was Heath. I checked the IMDB.com and “Omg, that’s Heath?” He’s too handsome to be a Joker. So, it’s thumb down. I meant Heath has a very nice looking, he’s hot. His job could be stripper, beachboy, romantic, and hero in the ancient periods.
Why not the other actor who is suitable to be crazy villian/evil character? That would beat everything.
August 11th, 2008 at 8:20 am
We all know that the best Joker was Ceasar Romero.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:12 am
Heath Ledger played the best joker Ever!! Anyone who says that Ledger did a bad job..doesn’t know movies! Jack nicholson was too fat to play joker…he wasn’t funny he didn’t portray joker everyone could tell it was him…it was boring…now Ledger, played the joker! The original joker…I didn’t see him as Heath Ledger I saw him as joker!! He is insane but it was awesome!! And he was funny!! What a great job he did! He should most definatly recive an oscar!!!
August 14th, 2008 at 8:04 am
WHOEVER wrote the comment that Heath had an easier job because Bale was a more serious Batman and therefore easier to work with/bounce the mood for his character off of is an IDIOT…
I’m sorry but it’s true.
Heath’s Joker ABSOLUTLEY blew me away when I saw it; it was beyond belief how amazing he was. His mannerisms (sucking on his scar tissue, licking his lips, the twitching and twisting in all the right places), the versatility of his voice, his laugh, even how he walked and fought was fabulous (especially when he was physically fighting Batman- all the jumping in psychotic excitment and shouting in morbid joy and uncontrolled shaking of his face).
I could go on and on and on and on…
Jack’s Joker was good for what it was, but you always recognized the character as being, underneath it all, Jack, whereas with Heath’s Joker you had to CONSTANTLY remind yourself that yes, there was in fact an actor beneath all the makeup and mannerisms.
I was never really a Ledger fan before I saw this movie, but now I can’t get enough (and contrary to popular belief it has nothing to do with his death, I would be just as blown away if he was alive today and just as eager to see more of his films). Now I just look back and am always amazed by the fact that the man who played in 10 Things I Hate About You is the same man who played the JOKER and was able to pull it off brilliantly. Haha, it’s just inconcievable to me that someone could have such skill…
Alright- enough of that! I don’t care if you agree or disagree, but IMO Heath’s Joker was BY FAR the best to date and probably one of the best performances an actor has ever given.
Give this man an Oscar!!!
August 14th, 2008 at 10:20 am
I like them both equally. Heath’s is more realistic, Nicholson’s is more eccentric and colorful. That being said, I wasn’t in the least creeped out by Ledger’s performance. I found myself, and the audience laughing at him a lot. I know some parts were meant to be funny, but all in all, you aren’t supposed to be feeling that light hearted while watching him say those lines. NIcholson really scared me more when I was younger, the way he took that buzzer and fried the guy while laughing wildly and danced around while people were dying. I liked how he had the added plot of being the one who killed Batman’s dad. Anyway, major props to Heath, RIP
August 15th, 2008 at 3:02 am
Nicholson simply improved the Joker of TV fame. Ledger Played it as it was Meant to be. Ledger had it harder, because where do you go with the Joker, after Jack has done it?? Well….Ledger took it to a new level. Nicholson was actually outraged that he was not offered the role in DK. Is he crazy? Jack is 70 years old! That, and the fact that he never was right for it. Historically, The Joker was Thin, young, and had a full head of hair….just the opposite of nicholson! Ledger WAS the Joker!
August 16th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
I’m not gonna start the Jack vs. ledger Crap … any reader of the comics could easily pick the better one…
now on to the actual subject
This video, wasn’t too bad. I’ve seen worse.
August 17th, 2008 at 3:41 am
How easily they forget. At the time Jack’s Joker was groundbreaking. He DID portray madness, and at times it really was subtle and creepy. It’s just that now it’s old hat. Back then when people outside of comic book fandom thought of the Joker they thought of Romero’s 60’s TV Batman. Jack brought a darkness “Wait’ll they get a load of me…” and evil to the Joker that wasn’t seen in live action prior to the 89 movie.
As time marches on, different becomes cliche, but put yourself back in that time period when Burton’s Batman was considered dark and more adult. And don’t try to tell me that without Jack Heath would’ve played it the way he did. Heath was awesome, but he was naturally extending Jack’s character.
August 17th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Actually I do believe that without Jack Heath would have played it the same way- because I don’t believe he ever saw Jack’s Joker and was never into Batman at all before he started making the Dark Knight
In an interview he stated that he just read the script and knew where he wanted to go with the character- and when he took his ideas to Nolan they just had the exact same vision of the Joker.
So I repeat: He wasn’t expounding on Jack’s version of the Joker, this was all his.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Nicholson’s joker didn’t have extended dialog. His joker scenes were often very short, and he’d quip a line, then walk off camera. A few scenes just had him dancing to bad music. So what?
Heath’s had extended dialog, like the hospital scene, and the holding cell. These scenes must have taken enormous amounts of emotional energy to sustain the character.
Having said that, I think that Jack Nicholson should have had a chance to compete for the role. Even if they picked Heath, there would still be elements to the Joker that Jack could refresh during the auditions, and at least give deeper complexity to Heath’s winning character.
August 18th, 2008 at 10:19 am
They (Jack & Heath), have performed 2 different Joker’s.
Jack play the funny/comic Joker and Heath play the bad/horror Joker.
Two different Joker’s to me.. Two different things..
August 18th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Miguelangelo, the thing is, the joker isn’t a funny comedian.
August 24th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Ceaser Romero: classical skeemer / prankster
C.R= Bozo the clown combined with scooby doo style villan
(Funniest)
Jack Nicholson: Fun loving Killer / Cold hearted mobster
J.N.= Ronald McDonald combined with ScarFace
(Classiest)
Heath Ledger : Psychotically obsessed Cynical wild-dog
H.L.= Feels a lot like brandon lee playing the crow ( the crow looks like a mime from hell… and a mime is a theatrical clown ).
(Scariest)
though i loved the performances of all three it almost seems like they were playing three different parts
though the actor means a lot in the translation of the character one must realize the director is the deciding factor. heath and jack could’ve played each others roles quite well in this saga, but i could’t possibly see either play cesar’s version. i also could’t see cesar playing either of the two newer darker versions. cesar was not bad but he was not my favorite. and i can’t possibly deside between jack and heath. so i think i simply have to go with jacks version… since it seems to best match with the comic book series which i was once a huge fan of.
i loved all three.
heaths role will go down in history but lets not forget who first carved the path in such a dark direction, jack
Most Kid friendly version for parents to show youngsters: Ceasar
favorite joker: jack
More Talent in general: heath
August 24th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
heath was awsome… indeed he did play a new favorite character in my view, and that character was definately pretending to be but wasn’t, the joker. was it better than jacks joker … yes… but was it the joker… no
August 25th, 2008 at 7:16 am
They are very different viewings of the same character, buy i have to honestly bow before ledger, he really make a super-villian of the joker, twisted, crazed, absolutely unbound… :) yep, hurray for ledger and incredibly sorry, DEP :(
September 6th, 2008 at 9:56 am
HEATH LEDGER was 100% better than jack nicholson…hes so much cooler..he got really into character..jacknicholson was not good..heath ledger really made the movie good..i dont think anyone else couldve made a better joekr than him..hes DEFINITELY the best.!!!..
R.I.P HEATH LEDGER
we will never forget you