An almost obligatory post, but I’ll keep it short. Ledger’s Joker is a brilliant gene-splicing of Alex from A Clockwork Orange and Forrest Gump - all that energy with an complete child-like lack of impulse control. He’s that kid who sets your dog on fire, finds it hilarious, and quickly moves on to even funnier stuff. There is some short, but very direct commentary on warrantless spying and what actions are acceptable in order to stop a madman; as well as what a true leader does when his fight with a lunatic gets out of control and the people get scared and demand someone’s blood. It was just as good as I expected but unexpectedly political, and its timing couldn’t be better.
Oh, and Batman’s in it too.