The hype around Friday’s release of the “The Dark Knight” has reached a fever pitch, with Heath Ledger’s dark turn as the Joker generating an avalanche of posthumous Oscar buzz.
Peter Travers of Rolling Stone has called Ledger’s performance “mad-crazy-blazing brilliant,” while the sequel’s director Christopher Nolan has raved in the New York Times that Ledger’s portrayal of the sadistic makeup-caked villain is “stunning” and “iconic”.
The big-ticket Academy Award categories have typically been bereft of summer blockbuster nominees.
But is Ledger’s performance so bone-chillingly remarkable that it can survive the hype and the action-movie stigma?
As the 2006 best-picture shunning of “Dreamgirls” demonstrated, presumptive hype can lead to a snub when the Academy Award nominations are announced.
The Internet Oscar buzz alone for the Australian actor - lead by a gallery of fans likely still reeling from the shock of his untimely death in January - has eclipsed the praise of traditional critics, elevating the risk that Ledger will become a target for backlash.
The film is likely to surge above the $100-million mark during its opening weekend, placing the film in the same mega-earning category as “Iron Man” and “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”.
Writing Ledger’s name on a ballot will perhaps become more palatable for Academy voters given the length of time between opening weekend and when Oscar nomination polls close on Jan.12, 2009.
This may be one time when fading memories are deemed an advantage amongst the fickle Hollywood elite - cementing Ledger’s legacy as an Oscar-worthy talent.
For full coverage of “The Dark Knight”, click here.
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I just have to comment again. This film is brilliant. It is the real Batman. Not that joke that we have been forced to see time and again. With the release of Batman Begins and now the Dark Knight people who have never read batman finally get to see the real Dark Knight. Batman and all of his villians are twisted psychotic individuals who are wrestling for the soul of a city. This is the Batman I remember from my youth. This is the real Dark Knight. Heath Ledger rest in peace with the knowledge you have set the bar so high I don’t think anyone can play the Joker after you. It’s a shame that we will only have this one performance from him. But know this no one will ever follow him or out perform him in this role.
- Posted by Keith G SaundersI have just seen the Dark Knight. Ledger was brilliant. He brought the Joker to life in all of his darkness. This film is easily the best of the summer. Do not wait to see it. I can’t wait until its in blue ray and dvd. Finally the Dark Knight I remember. My gratitude to the producers, director, actors and artists who made this film. You have made a classic that will indure forever.
Keith
- Posted by Keith G SaundersOK, I’ll admit not being a Batman movie fan. In fact, I didn’t even know Ledger was the Joker. (I guessed it was Jim Carrey.) I said whoever that is deserves the Oscar. It made the movie, no question.
- Posted by SteveI think if dusty actually saw the movie before he commented on it, he would be singing a different tune. Im not a ledger fan, Im not even a batman fan. I didnt even see the first one. But I can appreciate a good performance and when I see one. Ledger’s joker was amazing and it made the movie
- Posted by danAlso, all you newly professed Ledger fans who are calling this his final show - IT’S NOT!
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is due out in 2009.
- Posted by samuelheath ledger is a god…batman dark knight is single handedly the greatest movie ever and heath ledger gave the most chilling sadistic mega brilliant performance of all-time…bow down to the new joker “jake nicholson”
- Posted by kyleHeath Ledger’s performance was pure awesomeness
- Posted by EugI just saw The Dark Knight, and it is not just another Batman movie. This is a big deal. I felt wild and emotional afterwards. I felt really good and really sad. As I was walking out of the theater I knew that everyone else was excited as well. It is my opinion that Ledger is worthy of an Oscar or just a really big award. Also I think that whoever wrote the film deserves an oscar. Scratch that, everyone involved deserves an Oscar.
- Posted by m crossleyThe Dark Knight is probably the best movie I have ever seen. Forgetting Ledger’s performance, which was truly fantastic and gripping, The story was raw and powerful. The actors were all great and the artistic direction was nearly perfect. This movie should win Movie of the Year and Heath Ledger should get an Oscar. I though that he was getting attention just for dying but I feel so stupid for thinking that. Heath’s performance is unforgettable.
- Posted by AlexGday guys, Now i thought i would have my say. Im an aussie and that may make me a little biased but i have just seen The Dark knight and i am amazed. Heath’s performance was brilliant. I am a psychiatric nurse by profession and i treat psychotic and psychopathic people on a daily basis. Health’s protrail of a mentally unstable psychopathic villain is faultless. Im proud that he was australian and i think it would be ridiculous if he didnt get an Oscar for his performance.
- Posted by MattSeeya
Ok bottome line if i cant see an actor through a chracter then hes done his job /bow to heath for bringing me back to the movies
- Posted by Zaubernathe shudnt just get an oscar he shud get the best award an actor can get! he was absolutly amazing! he was so convincing and was just absolutly brilliant!!! and i seriously cant believe that hes no longer with us, he was just the best actor in evry movie he playde and it was so sad watching the batman movie :’(
- Posted by chantelbut hats off to heath! truly amazing
R.I.P
And another thing, he does deserve that award.
- Posted by DanDusty, the death of Heath Ledger and how that influenced his performance as “the Joker” is very debatable. I, like other fans of Ledger, have been waiting eagerly to watch “the Dark Knight” to see how he portrayed the demented clown. Those who know somewhat of the Batman series, especially in the comics, understand how the Joker charms the audience with his lunacy, chaotic, ruthless, yet witty behavior. Even though I watched Ledger’s acting tonight knowing of his death, his performance was brilliant. I am glad knowing that Ledger understood the Joker’s personality and his role in Gotham City and towards Batman. I give kudos not only to Heath Ledger, but to Christopher Nolan and the rest of the crew to captivate the darkness and the creepiness that does not make this “just not another Batman movie,” but how the Batman movies should be done. Beat that.
- Posted by DanI just got back from The Dark Knight and I was blown away. This is definitely in my top 10 of all time. Even if Heath did not die he stole the show regardless. The writing of the film and excellent acting provide a definite Oscar for more then just Ledgers Joker but for Best Picture.
- Posted by Fricken JoseMy husband and I saw Dark Knight tonight. I am not necessarily a Batman fan, and I didn’t even know who played The Joker (or who Heath Ledger was) until I got home and looked it up on the net because I thought he had done such a fantastic job and deserved an award. So, as an objective viewer with no preconceptions about the movie or the actor, I say he deserves it. A good job is a good job is a good job.
- Posted by MarjBatman the Darknight is going in my top 10 favorite Movies of all time it was amazing from start to finish. It was so good im going to watch it again tomorrow just to make sure I saw what I saw seriously. I will recommend this movie to any one who hasn’t seen it. Heath Ledger is simply amazing RIP. And that’s all I have to say about that. If you don’t like the movie then something is wrong with you maybe you should go see High School Musical or something. Ya dig……………………yeah.
- Posted by Matt WillisI saw The Drk Night today, and I personally think Heath is an amazing actor and should be awarded an oscar. Just becuase he did something wrong doesn’t mean he shouldn’t get recognized for what he did right. Memorial Oscar is in order.
- Posted by Kevinwell I am a Batman fan and I just came from seeing the movie , best movie !!!!! !
- Posted by batgirl vand for who ever is beign so freaking negative if Heath gets nominated just because he was a great actor he prove it to us in his last movie he made . What a whole bunch of punks grow up give the man a chance he deserve it more than any lame actors that do not know how to act . And with all do respect R.I.P. Heath and God Bless. You deserve that Oscar
Just saw the movie and I have to say. It’s the best Batman so far. And Heath, wow, he made that movie his own. I am not saying this because he has passed away, but seriously, you become engulfed by his talent. They could have made a movie all about the Joker himself. Awesome movie great actor.
- Posted by Joyci