The Dark Knight

He nailed it. If there's one thought that will stay with audiences after Heath Ledger's stunning portrayal as The Joker in The Dark Knight, it's this: He completely and totally nailed it.

Despicable, dastardly, nasty and nihilistic, Ledger's version of the iconic comic book baddie in this, the second film in the resurrected Batman series by director Christopher Nolan, is among the greatest villains ever seen on the big screen.

If Ledger ends up getting that rumoured posthumous Oscar nomination, he's surely a shoo-in.

Ledger portrays his Joker as an "agent of chaos". His greasy hair, wonky face paint, grotesque scars and crooked smile make him look evil enough, but it's his maniacal laugh that lingers long after the film's credits roll.

It's a hysterical cackle that sends chills down the spine. Ledger uses it constantly, whether The Joker is blowing up buildings, stealing police cars, plotting his evil-doing or mercilessly taunting Batman.

Even when he's limping around in a nurse's uniform - surely the funniest scene you'll see at the cinema this year - he's laughing like a mad man. Yep, this Joker is wild.

Ledger steals every scene he's in, but it's not just his performance that makes The Dark Knight a thrilling five-star ride that you'll want to see again immediately after the 152 minutes are up.

It's a denser film than 2005's scene-setting Batman Begins, with better plot twists, bigger explosions, greater character depth, more gasp-inducing action scenes and gravity-defying camera shots that are best seen on an iMax big screen. 

It opens with an epic bank heist and never lets up. Without giving too much away, the plot centres around a new group of super-rich criminals intent on bringing Gotham City to its knees - until The Joker shows up.

Director Nolan drenches everything with an impending sense of doom. Sirens squeal in the background and most of the action takes place at night, while several scenes are reminiscent of those associated with the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

It's packed full of great characters, from Gary Oldman's wise cop to Aaron Eckhart's grotesque turn as Harvey 'Two Face' Dent. Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman return, and it's worth noting Maggie Gyllenhaal does a much better job than Katie Holmes from Batman Begins. 

Never one to be overshadowed, Christian Bale also brings something epic to his performance, showing off a deeper voice and a darker range of emotions that the material requires.

But it's Ledger's show, and no one seems to forget that.

Even when The Joker is at his evil worst - faking his own death, causing chaos during an epic car chase and finding an inventive use for a pencil - you'll find yourself sitting there with a massive grin on your face, marvelling at just how good Ledger is.

At one point, during a final face-off with Batman, The Joker mutters to his foe: "It's a shame we can't do this forever."

If there's one final tragedy to come from Ledger's death, it's that we'll never see him playing The Joker again. At least he nailed it the only chance he got.

The Dark Knight
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine
Time: 152 minutes
Rating: M
Screening: From July 24
Trailer: Flicks.co.nz

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