Travis Simpkins: Joker

Monday, February 15, 2021

The Dark Knight (2008): DC Comics. Christian Bale as Batman. Heath Ledger as Joker

The Dark Knight. 2008. Christian Bale as Batman. Heath Ledger as Joker

Directed by Christopher Nolan, based on characters from DC Comics, The Dark Knight (2008) struck a chord and received acclaim from both audiences and critics. It is the second and best entry in The Dark Knight Trilogy.

The plot is summarized: With the help of allies Lt. Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and DA Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), Batman (Christian Bale) has been able to keep a tight lid on crime in Gotham City. But when a vile young criminal calling himself the Joker (Heath Ledger) suddenly throws the town into chaos, the caped Crusader begins to tread a fine line between heroism and vigilantism.

The cast is great, including Christian Bale as Batman, Maggie Gyllenhaal (replacing Katie Holmes), Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman and Aaron Eckhart. However, released posthumously, the late Heath Ledger truly steals the show in his Academy Award nominated performance as the Joker.

The Dark Knight. 2008. Heath Ledger as Joker

The Dark Knight. 2008. Christian Bale as Batman

The Dark Knight. 2008. Heath Ledger as Joker

The Dark Knight. 2008. Christian Bale as Batman

The Dark Knight. 2008. Heath Ledger as Joker

The Dark Knight. 2008. Christian Bale as Batman

The Dark Knight. 2008. Heath Ledger as Joker

The Dark Knight. 2008. Christian Bale as Batman

The Dark Knight. 2008. Heath Ledger as Joker

The Dark Knight. 2008. Christian Bale as Batman

The Dark Knight. 2008. Heath Ledger as Joker

The Dark Knight. 2008. Christian Bale as Batman

The Dark Knight. 2008. Heath Ledger as Joker

The Dark Knight. 2008. Christian Bale as Batman. Heath Ledger as Joker

The Dark Knight. 2008. Heath Ledger as Joker

The Dark Knight. 2008. Christian Bale as Batman. Heath Ledger as Joker

The Dark Knight. 2008. Heath Ledger as Joker

The Dark Knight. 2008. Aggie Gyllenhaal

The Dark Knight. 2008. Christian Bale as Batman. Heath Ledger as Joker

The Dark Knight. 2008. Morgan Freeman

The Dark Knight. 2008. Heath Ledger as Joker

The Dark Knight. 2008. Christian Bale as Batman

The Dark Knight. 2008. Heath Ledger as Joker

The Dark Knight. 2008. Christian Bale as Batman

The Dark Knight. 2008. Heath Ledger as Joker

The Dark Knight. 2008. Christian Bale as Batman

The Dark Knight. 2008. Heath Ledger as Joker

Saturday, January 30, 2021

Suicide Squad (2016): DC Comics. Joker, Harley Quinn and Enchantress

Suicide Squad. 2016. DC Comics. Joker, Harley Quinn and Enchantress

Written and Directed by David Ayer, based on characters from DC Comics, Suicide Squad (2016) was a hit with audiences and has spawned one semi-sequel to date (Birds of Prey). Supernatural elements and ancient magic curses mix well with CGI effects and over-the-top violence.

The plot is summarized: Figuring they're all expendable, a U.S. intelligence officer decides to assemble a team of dangerous, incarcerated supervillains for a top-secret mission. Now armed with government weapons, Deadshot (Will Smith), Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Captain Boomerang, Killer Croc and other despicable inmates must learn to work together. Dubbed Task Force X, the criminals unite to battle a mysterious and powerful entity (an ancient witch awakened by an archaeologist during a tomb excavation), while the diabolical Joker (Jared Leto) launches an evil agenda of his own.

The cast is great, including Will Smith, Cara Delevingne and Jared Leto. However, Margot Robbie is most certainly the Star and truly steals the show in her role as Harley Quinn.