In Hell, it is most probable that its master resembles this: a controlled yet maniacal entity, void of empathy. Satiated by nothing. Existing to feed on a self prepared diet of chaos, destruction and the looming fear of reckless violence and death. You see, Its goal is not one that logic or human perspective or material gain can affect. The goal, says the Joker ‘is to send a message.’
On Sunday, I experienced The Dark Knight at Universal City Walk’s IMAX Theater. Director, Christopher Nolan shot 6 powerful sequences of this stunning film in 70 mm IMAX format–the world’s highest film format resolution. The resulting rich and vivid imagery transports the audience into a personal experience in Gotham..engulfed in roaring blue flames, dodging flying sparks from a thrashing overturned big rig, and feeling the flights and fights of Gotham’s hero as they happen. What an experience!
But is an action packed, audience engaging, visually stunning movie with a well formed storyline enough to gain the attention of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science? Should be!
Oscar’s Purpose
The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are awards of merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science (AMPAS) to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers. (wikipedia)
In a recent LA radio panel discussion, comic book and movie fans expressed hope that their genre will receive recognition from AMPAS. The Teen Choice Awards and MTV Moon men are great, but there is the perception that that comic book inspired films are high on The Academy’s ‘to snub’ list. With such successful releases as Transformers and The Dark Knight, it will be interesting to watch how this genre will be treated during the next reading of Oscar nominations
If excellence is what they want, Heath Ledger’s work must be seriously considered. His performance as Batman’s long time nemesis, The Joker, was amazing. A relentless and evil psychopath devastating the heart of Gotham in order to test the code of a conflicted Batman-whose effectiveness is being called into question by those he serves.
Ledger’s Joker is not a flesh textured cartoon. He is the personification of an entity absent of light and hope. His face-a pasty, painted canvas for a kniffed-in, infected grin set underneath the dark windows to a dead soul with nothing to lose. There is no Heath Ledger reflecting in The Dark Knight. There is the devil and his whims.
The film raises several philosophical questions including the value of a life, the heart of humanity when challenged, the definition and code of a hero, and the measure of actual results vs. honorable intentions. The untimely death of Heath Ledger certainly inspires deeper ponderance of some of these topics. But make no mistake, the heartfelt outcry for Ledger’s work to be acknowledged is born out of our appreciation for Ledger’s masterful immersion into a character so well developed that a sense of dread remains long after the final credits roll.
As joker said “This city deserves a better class of criminal. And I’m going to give it to ‘em”.
Mission accomplished, Mr. Ledger.
dae
