The Joker. Legendary. Deranged. Psychopathic. Cunning. Here’s an iconic character that lights up the screen spectacularly. Larger-than-life, seething with rage, and nefarious like none other, the Joker is unhinged, masterful, and terrifying. His uncanny ability to dominate the big screen is his saving grace.
A character so flawed should be despised and reviled, excommunicated, and yet filmgoers crave the craziness of the green-haired loon. His penchant for death and destruction is unparalleled. His wily antics and calculated prowess temper his pernicious rage. His followers flock to him, and he is the quintessential anarchist cult leader. He rages against civil order, threatening to upend convention for his evil plans.
The Joker is a man of means who knows no bounds. He doesn’t have the airs and graces of one restricted by society’s norms and etiquette. He is a loose cannon, uncouth, and unkempt. The Joker is bold, daring, and brilliant, with severe personality disorders.
He is arguably the world’s most beloved villain. His torturous past and wicked criminal mind elicit respect and repulsion, fear and loathing, scorn and derision alike. His love of violence is bloodcurdling, but his adherence to his dogma wins plaudits from enthusiasts the world over. It would be folly to try and unravel the conflicting constructs of his mind; suffice it to say he is what he is.
The Joker in Our Cultural Zeitgeist
Few characters from the DC Comics universe consistently generate as much buzz as the Joker. He is the villain that everybody loves to hate. But surprisingly, he is also the villain that everybody loves. We recall three phenomenal Joker actors for the current generation, from Jack Nicholson’s brilliant portrayal of the Joker in Batman to Heath Ledger – an exceptional and unbeatable performance as the Joker, to Joaquin Phoenix, who has garnered mixed reviews as the psychopathic, schizophrenic, tormented soul. Each era in film history is associated with a different presentation of the Joker.
Modern-day adaptations of Batman and the Joker come in all shapes and sizes, And some are unrelated to the superheroes. Sometimes, it’s the Joker showcased on his own as the ultimate villain, and sometimes, he’s just a court jester prancing about and entertaining people. We see evidence aplenty of this in all forms of entertainment, not just film and TV. For example, Joker’s Jewels is a spin-off; granted, it is not connected to any Joker characters from the DC Comics universe.
However, it undoubtedly gains audience traction from the Joker name and brand and feasts off its popularity. Jokers Jewels is all about bright lights, fanfare, and fun. It’s got all the showmanship one would expect from a Joker-style game, and when all the crazy symbols line up in the right combination, it’s gold coins tumbling down as far as the eye can see. The association, nonetheless, in our mind’s eye is always with the DC comics universe – strange that. That’s the real appeal of the Joker in all its forms.
Who were the Best Jokers?
When Michael Keaton was Batman, and Jack Nicholson was the Joker, audiences were treated to high-tech wizardry without the wanton violence of modern-day films. Nicholson was sublime as the Joker – a maniacal fiend with a vexatious laugh and an unyielding determination to best Batman. His desire to turn Gotham City into ruin and rubble was ironclad. Phoenix’s artistic genius was perhaps overdone in the second rendition of Joker, which is Joker: Folie a Deux.
While filmmakers strive to reach ever deeper into the core of an actor, to wrench out his very guts – to get to the essence of what makes a villain so vile, this doesn’t always play out to audiences. Filmgoers want something they can relate to. They are accustomed to a particular narrative, and while artistic license provides latitude, it doesn’t always resonate with audiences.
There are always unforgettable scenes in films where the Joker takes center stage. In Batman with Michael Keaton, we recall the Joker tumbling off a ledge as he plummets to his untimely death. And when the Joker meets his love interest, Harley Quinn, it’s always fun. Indeed, the Joker is an indispensable character and the perfect foil to Batman. But the caped crusader doesn’t validate the Joker’s presence – he stands alone, regardless.
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