Daredevil Message Board

[Punisher74]

I liked Jack's better. He was more fun and entertaining. Ledger's just didn't have enough funny lines. He was too serious.
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"Helpful. Cooperative. Stupid. That's my boys." Frank Castle (a.k.a. The Punisher) Welcome Back Frank Series.

[Francesco]

Jack Nicholson's.

[Dimetre]

I really enjoyed Nicholson's Joker at the time, but it's been twenty years since, and the way the character has evolved in comics and animation in the two decades since, Nicholson's Joker now seems almost like a quaint throwback to Cesar Romero's Joker.

I voted for Ledger's Joker. It's more in keeping with the horrific aspects of the modern Joker. But what really astounded me was that there was such a demented logic to the character, but it was a logic nevertheless. And the image of the Joker in the nurse's dress stumbling out of the exploding hospital is an iconic piece of cinema.

[train]

i agree with dimetre. nicholson's joker was just a bad guy. ledger's joker was insane...really almost scary.

[james castle]

I voted for Ledger's but I think true genius would be somewhere in between. Jack's Joker had the "Joker" part of it down while Ledger's had the insane side down. Yeah, he's supposed to have an insane twisted logic but I think he's also supposed to think everything is a bit funny (which is actually just an extension of the logic). Obviously I love The Killing Joke (and you should too) and I think one of the greatest scenes is near the beginning when he kills the guy who sells him the carnival. "What are you crazy? I love it." (or some such thing) while he's smiling away. In a way Ledger's Joker wasn't crazy enough.
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JC

So why can't you see the funny side?
Why aren't you laughing?

[fox_limbo]

Both Nicholson's and Ledger's portrayal of the Joker were a fun romp with the character that essentially "stole the show".

Nicholson's portrayal, to me, seemed to follow in the footsteps of Cesar Romero in the Adam West "Batman" televison show from the late 60's. Whereas the vision of the recent Joker was a bit more of a departure (and possibly closer to the true spirit of the Joker in this post-Frank Miller age, for lack of a better term). Whether it was the vision of Christopher Nolan or Heath or a combination of the two... Heath's Joker was an anarchist punk rocker on acid. It was, dare I say it, original and, without question, a truly chilling portrayal. In that regard, hands down, this should go to Heath's. But that does not discount that Jack's characterization wasn't fun to watch, because it most certainly was.

[train]

[Dash]

The Jack Nicholson joker was awesome because well...it was Jack Nicholson as the Joker. Aside from the make up and purple costume, it was really just Jack Nicholson being Jack Nicholson.

As far as Heath Ledger goes, he took the character to new realms of realism and insanity. While some would say that the part became more popular after his death etc etc. It still would have been amazing if he would have lived.

Other than the fact that they played the Joker, there's not much linking these two or their performances for that matter. Completely different comparisons.

But if I had to choose....

Jack Nicholson, only because he danced to Prince numerous times in the movie.

[Knatty Dreadnok]

Not once did I ever see or get any humor from Heath Ledger's Joker. It's practically nonexistent. I missed the humor and the lack of firearms... the knives detracted from a lot of the humor. Strange I know but I was less likely to laugh when Heath put a blade in someones mouth or placed it at someones throat. On the other hand I cracked up several times at Jack's antics even the few occasions when he shot someone or better yet when he pulled out that exaggerated Smith & Wesson and blew that sh!t out the Bat-Jet! ROFLMAO!!! Nevertheless, I found Heath Ledger entertaining but nothing particularly outstanding. I agree with James Castle, the PERFECT Joker would be a BALANCE between the two. Although... I think Jack's Joker is a bit closer to the comic character. Come to think of it, Jack Nicholson made that movie!

It was similar to watching Tombstone. Val Kilmer stole the spotlight from Kurt Russell with a combination of rich acting, excellent lines an un-sway-able charisma. To this day, over the years after viewing a body of Jack Nicholson's work, I really do believe he has a few screws loose and was the BEST actor suited to play the part. Keaton's Batman was similar to casting Nick Cage as Ghost Rider. To be blunt, it should have NEVER happened! Still I'd say the main thing that detracted from the first Batman aside from Keaton's presence was the killing. Once the Joker was killed I automatically knew a reboot would be in order. That was sacrilege to whack a cornerstone antagonist like that.
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