Is The Joker the Main Character in The Dark Knight??

A Christopher Nolan film about a non-standard protagonist, in The Dark Knight!
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Movies with Mikey is a positive look at film criticism through the eyes of someone who loves movies to an unhealthy degree.
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[@Seanwhatsleft]

"a leader can unite a side in a conflict, but a villain can unite a people" Mikey, that's profound!

[@addochandra4745]

Maybe we can choose villain as our leader, amiright???

[@samanjj]

Sean Dupree he nailed it with that. The truth of the world through real art

[@jaredjenkins99]

Technically the villain becomes the opposing side that the people unite against so there are still two sides but the point still stands

[@devondeswardt6239]

Best line I’ve heard in any of his videos 😊

[@henryjmedina23]

9/11...enough said.

[@Saint-14s-Shadow]

"Heath Ledger's performance in this film is the greatest performance in cinema history" *Definitely a shared opinion*

[@matthewdunham1689]

Indeed

[@CamJames]

We gotta be clear about a couple things: Heath talked to actors on set. Gambol's actor (Michael Jai White, a real life ninja) emphatically stated that Heath was joking around between takes. The other thing is that Heath didn't die because of this role, but because of a lethal mix of medications that he was prescribed legally.

[@KTK44]

Wholeheartedly agree that Heath did the best acting in cinematic history. Aaron Eckhart told a funny story on Larry King about acting with Heath. He recalls the famous hospital scene in which Heath who always stayed in character on set wandered around acting like the Joker and never conversated with Eckhart. Then at the end of the day when the scene was done, Heath and Eckhart would walk up to their trailers, Heath then put his hand on Eckharts shoulder and said "That's what acting's all about." Rest in peace Heath Ledger.

[@rickstafford6635]

Your videos are proof that positive reviews are more entertaining than curse ridden click bait negative ones. Never stop being you. You are as artful and possibly more articulate than the artists you discuss the works of.

[@Daimoth1]

True, but... AVGN. I love that guy.

[@Chaogardenx]

WRONG! Positive reviews aren´t more interesting than negative ones, what matters is how good the A r g u m e n t s are.

[@ItsDylanHarding]

It's kind of hilarious that you'd even suggest that the writer, editor and narrator of a well-crafted 16-minute video essay is in any way comparable to the writer and director of a complex, nuanced and brilliant film. I'm not bashing Mikey at all, I think his videos are some of the best of their kind, but with your logic a well-made and satisfying turkey sandwich is equal to one of the greatest meals ever prepared, in all of history. Try coming off that end-of-the-video high and gaining some perspective.

[@papaducknips3461]

More artful than the artists. With the exception of Heath Ledger.

[@Kuudere-Kun]

Meh, when you have to pepper your positive reviews with trashing other films you become exactly the same problem to me.

[@notanundercovercop8851]

I can't believe Mikey agrees with me that Heath Ledger did the best job acting, well, ever.

[@jblue1622]

NotAnUndercoverCop it was breathtaking and this movie made me love movies again and I was so hopeful that we were going to have great movies again...then TDKR kinda ruined that

[@atrevino90]

TDKR wasn't that bad, certainly not even on par with this one though and a few things could've been better but overall it's a good movie

[@getjaketospace]

"Going to have great movies again" lol what.

[@TheGeorgeD13]

jblue1622, what? The Dark Knight Rises was a very good movie. And we've had many great movies before The Dark Knight and many after that film came out.

[@leavy]

noobmaster117 center left is liberal, so I’m not sure who “liberal elitists” are supposed to refer to. maybe just extremists?

[@pscof]

Agreed. Heath Ledger as Joker is best performance of all time. Exquisite. Also, I still want to see you do Wall-E. :)

[@isaacbee1]

Thumbs up for Wall-E

[@oof-rr5nf]

Yeah! Wall-E!

[@devondeswardt6239]

Paul Scofield. oh yes please! Please do Wall-E. I love that movie and I’d love to hear an intelligent commentary on it

[@hibiscusman]

Fantastic. I wish I had the ability to communicate about art with such clarity and precision.

[@tiffa440]

There is an irony to this comment...

[@sebastianholzl5187]

@@tiffa440 no way

[@petercarioscia9189]

@@sebastianholzl5187 I love that the replies are a year removed from their inciting comment. It took way too long to phrase that coherently.

[@derekgowland35]

Hot damn! "And here...we... go-" Hard cut to Midnight City. Beautiful work, man.

[@bryanmurdoch717]

What this boy said.

[@Baarogue]

I keep rewatching this video because it's just so good (and I'm such a nerd), and that part always makes me tear up.

[@FuriosoDrummer]

Complete agreement re: Heath Ledger's performance. I've never once, in my life, seen another performance that has stuck with me the way that one has. Just pure, phenomenal brilliance. Think about what a talent like that could have accomplished over a full career. What an utterly tragic loss, to say nothing of how it affected his family and those close to him. :(

[@mitchlacasse361]

yup, we missed out some many more stellar performances and oscars. Heath captivated me in 10 Things I Hate About You, and he never ever disappointed

[@coniwiiuwu5578]

Michel Lacasse o

[@ThaOvernightCelebrity]

@@mitchlacasse361 Yup totally agree. I just watched 10 Things for the first time a few weeks ago, and his performance was what drove this movie. His male vibrato and charm as Patrick is, imo, unmatched by any other rom com performance (not the movie as a whole, of course). Prior to that, I'd only seen Heath in A Knight's Tale and as a supporting role in The Patriot b/f hearing he got cast as the Joker. Of course I thought, "NOOOO! Why him?! How do you even beat Jack?? They're gonna ruin the best Batman movie yet!" just like everyone else. If I had seen his performance in 10 Things, I would have thought differently / been much more confident in Heath. But honestly, I like the fact that I had such low expectations bc it made his performance even more surprising than it already was just on its own.

[@mikecantreed]

At first I thought your declaration at the end about Heath Ledgers performance being the GOAT was absurd but I'm struggling to come up with something that tops it. Pretty crazy. Imma think on that some more. Great work as usual.

[@TheKazragore]

Agreed. There are many examples where an actor is able to disappear so completely into a role as to leave only the character behind (one example that immediately comes to mind for me is the fact that it was classic english actor Bill Nighy behind everything that was good about Davy Jones in Pirates 2 &3), but the impact the performance has is the other side of this equation. So while I think there have been many other performances that match, or potentially exceed Ledger's "disappearance" into his character, I cannot come up with a time where the _impact_ of the performance surpasses his effort here. A rare talent lost far too soon.

[@TheJimmyClip]

the only other performance that comes to mind that has stuck with me [ and other people as soon as I mention it ]; is Val Kilmer's Doc Holliday - and it's not even close.

[@andrewhazlewood4569]

I would put Leonardo DiCaprio as Arnie Grape as the GOAT by a child then.

[@thanossnap4170]

@@andrewhazlewood4569 Oh wow good choice! I was floored by Leo in Gilbert Grape. Haven't watched that in a while. But as far as i remember, he was really one sided. The joker has huge depth and realism, and Arnie was just "retarded". I will say though, that Arnies reaction to" the thing with the thing" (no spoilers) was amazing. He knocked that scene out of the park! Maybe it hits more with the joker, since we know the character. No one knew Arnie, but everyone knows Mr.J. Perhaps it makes it easier to know what to expect?

[@DropDedFred]

This homage to Heath Ledger and the ONLY REAL Joker performance (that's not a cartoon, Hamill fans) deserves an Oscar.

[@jachyra9]

The Force Awakens review lit the fuse, but this one was the sky it brilliantly illuminated. This guy and his channel is without a doubt the best thing on youtube, and his examination of Heath Ledger's performance choked me up. Not just because it mirrored my own thoughts precisely, but because it reminded me that a genuine artist and gentle soul was taken from us so prematurely. Yeah, you know I just didn't get something in my eye... shut up...

[@earnthis1]

Yeah, best reviewer on the youtubes. Hands down

[@conormartin3757]

Cinemawins sent me here and all I can say is, I'm not disappointed keep up the great work.

[@wolf1066]

Likewise. And this vid earned Mikey another sub.

[@montydurand467]

One thing I would like to say is that the hospital scene was supposed to go like that, all explosions went off as planned and the jokers reaction was scripted. The whole "it wasent supposed to be like that" is a myth that keeps getting told

[@ppk2823]

I really liked your point on corporate money entering politics, I'd never thought about it that way. Good job as a whole, just subbed.

[@ppk2823]

So nice, watched it twice.

[@BradLeclerc]

[X] Get teary eyed while someone talks about a literal comic book clown.

[@thewhatness]

I think the *only* performance I've ever seen that reaches Ledger's performance as The Joker in this film is Sheryl Lee as Laura Palmer in Fire Walk With Me. And she never got an award for her work in that film. That movie transcends her - in my mind, at least - into being *THE* singular most tragic character in all of American media. She sells every second of every scene, it's bone-chilling.

[@christianspencer1136]

Man, this is my new favorite review of any movie ever.

[@gabriellagonzalez1149]

I never thought of "the Dark Knight" referencing the Joker before, and I think it's because we are always reminded that it's a Batman movie. I love your essays and this needs to be one if my favorite so far. Nice work, Mikey!

[@digerttm]

Hot damn, Mikey. Quality as usual.

[@Mu3azOsman]

This video is incredible! So so funny, inspiring and informative! I just came here to watch one video, and I think i'm going to watch all the videos I can til the morning

[@tripathiashutosh874]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpnTm36OZs9ggbM best the dark knight analysis

[@GeneralBolas]

"What's better?" Christian Bale in The Prestige. I can't even explain how good that performance is without spoiling the film.

[@locochoify]

Awesome video! Completely loved how you changed completely the point of view of the movie into something really believable and interesting. I also loved the background you used; totally screenshoted the title! :D

[@benthediceman1]

I feel like each piece I was already aware of to some degree, so it was nice to hear it all together with your honey-mustard voice.

[@jabjuice6481]

officially a fan now, going back to watch older episodes. really enjoy your videos man.

[@kakujo]

Glad to find you, Mikey! In a world where giving a video more than 2 minutes of your time is a "chore", I didn't even notice the 16 minutes had passed 'til they were done. Excellent video! Very subscribed, very subscribed!

[@ethandenson7182]

Extra Credits sent me here. This series is amazing. I'm stunned by how the sheer production quality mixed with the beautiful analysis of these films manages to create such a moving narrative. Mikey, you have a made masterpieces by looking at masterpieces. Wow, simple wow.

[@JesseMunoz]

I've been waiting for this episode since I first watched the Turtles video that launched your show and it didn't disappoint. Thank you so much for this!

[@willrogers3793]

Live action Joker? Absolutely. That’s Heath Ledger’s role from now til the end of time. But I sincerely believe Mark Hamill deserves just as much credit, if not more, for all of his work voicing the Joker. He’s not only been doing it for decades at this point, but he’s done a fantastic job of it, too. You never see the man himself in any of his portrayals of the Joker, but none of them would be anywhere near as good without his voice to bring the character to life.

[@joeykent7526]

I have never re watched a video more than this on youtube, it's my go to whenever I'm up past 1am....your mind truly is magic and it shows in all of your episodes. I hope you continue to amaze and stand out amongst all the billions of channels that try to accomplish what you definitely do :)

[@kawmedia]

This is an awesome birthday gift! Thanks Mikey! One of your best for one of my favorite films.

[@godsofgaming2341]

As usual, mike, you're a bloody genius mate. Classic stuff, love the vids

[@filmjoy]

[m] IF YOU LIKE CAUSIN TROUBLE UP IN HOTEL ROOMS

[@AaronJShay]

THANK YOU I was missing that.

[@Samanosuke1138]

That was amazing sir. I can't wait to see your take on GBH. I'd be interested to see what you think of the Star Wars films too...but not episode 7. You did that one. Do the others.....or don't. Maybe.

[@matteus__]

Chainsawsuit Original What is the local 58

[@Thrilla023]

If you have the time could you make one for Hell or High Water please. That would be great!

[@ryle1858]

Chainsawsuit Original m

[@Red_Orion]

I don't often comment on KZbin but your video genuinely made me tear up because I loved Ledger as the Joker. I like how you showed the many facets of corruption within the movie and also how you highlighted Ledger's performance. It sounds weird but Ledger truly ACTS. He uses micro-expressions very consciously and every movement conveys so many things. For example, his eyes. They dart around and he often looks upward, while the rest of the cast looks, as many actors do, straight ahead, focused on a point, got get a clean shot. It may not seem important to others but I noticed it and it's the small things that make a performance extraordinary. And it still fucking hurts that he died, so watching this video was a rollercoaster of emotions.

[@elen5871]

goddammit mikey i just got introduced to your channel through the monster factory review (big ol mcelroy fan) and now i have watched your entire channel and have a huge set of movies i absolutely gotta rewatch because your take on them is so good. thanks so much for the videos!

[@AltShiftSpam]

And suddenly, Jon Risinger. What!?

[@jhorkey626]

AltShiftSpam it put me... on the spot?! No? Okay.

[@kennethfender3518]

I heard about your channel a few days ago from a KZbinr named Falcon Paladin, your reviews are great!

[@krisfearon]

That was fantastic, again. Super stoked I was introduced to your channel, I’m in love with your videos, you’re super inspiring

[@tenormdness]

I just found your channel and I feel like it’s been a missing piece of my movie life, found. Well done!

[@doragami]

"Batman's a dumb dick." I loved that. And calling out Leto. Good on ya.

[@ShaanWith2As]

I'm so confused by the Jon Risinger shout out

[@filmjoy]

[m] He tried to sway the voting over Twitter on the last episode in favor of The Departed. It almost worked. He brought in a HUGE number of voters. And then I decided never to do that video, so it was worth acknowledging.

[@TheKingDagon108]

oh pretty plssss do it!!! pwetty pwease with a cherwy on top!!!

[@VeeTuTonic]

Have watched this so many times now and it still holds so much power.

[@Trotskki95]

Just discovered this channel today, and I already know it's going to be one of the best things that happened to me this 2017.

[@jillianfudali2944]

One of my favorite movies, I’ve always defended Heath Ledger’s performance as being amazing and the most accurate to the comic books. He truly threw himself into the character. Great job Mikey awesome episode. Your videos always inspire me, i was wondering if you could do the new Mission Impossible: Fallout, I work at a movie theatre and we had an employee only showing before it came out and it was honestly amazing, if you could do it that would be awesome. The directors of photography and sound must have had a really fun time working on the movie. Thank you Mikey.

[@Amiaship]

This is the only argument that has made me want to see The Dark Knight. People talked about the cinematography, the dialogue, the "hit me for real", and Ledger's suicide, but nobody articulated it in a way that made me interested in a Batman movie again. Too many misses, not enough hits. This, on the other hand - I'd never thought of this movie as turning the whole superhero genre on its head, making the easily-assumed hero a criminal down to his morals and the "villain" the one actually fighting for the good of the city. Seeing more depth talk about Ledger's actual performance also helps (the diction thing, for example, matters a ton - character voices need to be consistent and if he stuck with that it would be huge) and now I understand how much of himself he really did put into the role. I tend to avoid movies that I see as over-hyped without the hype having compelling arguments. I didn't see "the actor killed himself" as a compelling argument (especially when phrased as "the actor died so now you have to watch it out of respect", when I'd never really taken notice of Heath Ledger's performances before) but you've shown me that I am probably missing out on a real cinematic and philosophical masterpiece. Thanks, Mikey.

[@shhs1227]

If literally everyone has this movie in their top 10s and that many people tell you to see it did you really think this Batman movie would be a miss. Not to mention. As was said in the video it's the only comic book movie to ever get a main category oscar

[@jacobmeritt]

Love these videos and your show Mikey! So pumped every time a new one pops up on my front page.

[@Perigrene101]

I like how you can hear the Joker's singular violin string while Mickey is talking about the movie's protagonist. Hinting at the plot twist to come.

[@user-yc2ct5qo1z]

I fucking love your videos. Please never stop.

[@Dutchtica]

Sorry i'm sure you heard this plenty of times but at 14:37 it wasn't a botched shot, it was an intentionally staged delayed explosion Ledger's RESPONSE was 100% natural, yes but the explosion was intentional I still love you

[@darkstar4494]

Dutchtica you’re certain the delay in the explosion was intentional?

[@TheOriginal_Unaleska]

I've heard even in the behind the scenes it was botched. It wasn't intentional. I dunno where you're getting that information.

[@loganreed9340]

@@TheOriginal_Unaleska in behind the scenes it was said that everything that happened was in script. There were multiple rehearsal of this scene and there wasn't anything unintentional happening.

[@madcek]

Dude, the more content I watch, the more I fall in love with you... awesome job!

[@GypsyxDarling]

I literally talked about this movie tonight and lo, I found your video about it when I got on KZbin. This is a perfect encapsulation about why I love it.

[@Nushi1098]

Didn't think I'd see the Risemonger here

[@Kaipyro67ALT]

*Risemongler.

[@darkamora5123]

I really like your reviews in general, and this review specifically. My only quibble, the exploding hospital scene being a botched take, is a myth, and wrong. It was storyboarded exactly as it played out on screen, they used real buildings, and only had one chance to do it, and they executed it one hundred percent as they intended to. I don't take anything away from Heath Ledger's performance, but that was not an actor maintaining character in a glorious bit of improvisation, it was an actor inhabiting his character, and playing it exactly as planned. There is a difference.

[@AndresArosemena]

Exactly. What did was improvised was him clapping in his jail cell.

[@rickshawjones8591]

Joker tried to blow up people after he lost the game. He isn't better than batman.

[@13TeK11]

i think u missed the point about that scene 9:00 or maybe you are just one of those guys who write a comment before they even watch the entire video first...

[@rickshawjones8591]

TeK I watched the whole thing. I just don't agree. You don't have to be nasty, dude. The joker completely thought his plan would work, and after he lost, he wanted to blow them up anyway so he could proceed. That's what happened, right? I haven't seen it in years. I think this Mike guy has a tendency to overanalyze. "One has to wonder"? Not really.

[@bryanchu5379]

I'm pretty sure that the rules of the Joker's game were that if neither boat blew the other one up by midnight, then they would both blow up.

[@rickshawjones8591]

Bryan Chu I just remember the brief look of disappointment on his face, and then batman stopped him. Chaos drove the joker, not a twisted sense of morality.

[@amerikaOnFire]

It was a twisted sense of morality that drove him though. He clearly defines it in the movie and it's supported by all of his motives. He isn't a good guy, that was never the argument. Just that Batman is possibly as bad or worse based on his actions and motivations. The Joker saw a corrupt world and pretty much wanted to burn the whole thing down while trying to make the people who live in it do most of the work for him (since he obviously can't do it all himself). He stays within the law at times just to emphasize the part where Batman will go beyond it and break it just to prove that he's right and to prove that even some of the best in humanity can be corrupted by their own blind vision. So the Joker isn't a good guy but he puts a huge spotlight on the worst parts of humanity and succeeded in corrupting Harvey and making Batman also become a villain. So part of his plan did succeed. The explosion on the boat wasn't really the point..it was more of a sidebar. Making Batman and Harvey and other people in positions of power compromise their belief system in order to stop him was his goal...and in that he 100% succeeded.

[@SkullTakerRob]

Exyracredits just sent me over, brilliant channel, I look forward to your future videos

[@radar4763]

Mikey dude, that was effing awesome! Thank you so much! What a ride. No complaints about the message either, the level of the Ledger-Joker will most probably never be reached again.

[@radar4763]

No other Joker has made any sense to me ever. Not even my own imaginative Joker when reading the comics. Ledger defined that character up to a standard that I never thought was possible.

[@Advent3546]

I give anyone a thumbs up for trashing Jared Leto. Especially his "Joker" performance.

[@earnthis1]

lame, bro. Stop hating

[@RickGladwin]

Word is that there are a lot more scenes that were shot with Leto's Joker and never used in the final cut. I'd be interested to see if he comes out better in an edit that includes more screen time, but that might involve watching Suicide Squad again, and fuck that.

[@shhs1227]

Lol trashing the Oscar winner and not the shitty director and writers. Shooting the messenger my man

[@ephin3242]

The writers didn’t make him be a cunt to his fellow cast members and call it “method acting.”

[@senthilvelan544]

I just gave u a dislike! How ironic.... or is it?

[@edwardhunt5309]

Great job! I'm eagerly looking forward to your treatise on The Grand Budapest Hotel

[@good_mourning]

A couple of corrections, if I may. Heath licked the edges of his lips to help keep the prosthetic scars adhered to the corners of his mouth, and the "botched" hospital scene was actually meticulously planned out with the pause in the explosions, where the joker fumbles around with the detonator, for safety reasons, the proof is on the dark knight blu-ray features where Christopher Nolan explains as such while showing a complete computer rendering of that scene, that was used to plan out the scene, which shows that the explosions weren't botched. With all that aside, I agree with everything else you said about the film and heath ledger. The dark night is a masterpiece of cinema, and heath's portrayal of the joker is perfection.

[@thinman25]

A lot of people have been saying that 2016 is one GARBAGE FIRE of a year... but I found this channel in 2016, so I'mma say it ain't too bad. Keep doin' what you doin', Mikey.

[@Traisas]

Clearly these people hadn't heard of 2020 yet 😅

[@epeets11]

The thing I love about the interrogation scene is that despite being the captive, Joker has all the power and control. Both actors are amazing in that scene.

[@ElbertDangerKimChannel]

I'm really glad that I stumbled upon your channel. Your level of authentic joy and wonder of everything film really lifts me up because I can feel just how passionate you are about your unique take on a film. It's great. You focus on all the positives and don't give in to cynicism in a field of critics. You express and marvel at how amazing bits and pieces are that everyone (myself included) overlooks because we're looking for ohhs and the ahhhs. Thank you.

[@malikfernandez1990]

Argh I love your videos sooo much.....makes my day to see one come up! Keep up the good work!

[@TheBoomamatic]

oh so keen for you to do sum Wes Anderson!

[@tarrychenko]

yes.

[@jblue1622]

SmexyRula he's already done The Grand Budapest Hotel

[@TheBoomamatic]

watch to the end buddy, this came out on Dec 14, Grand Budapest was his NEXT video and came out like the 31st December or something. I made the comment when This video came out :)

[@lissi4052]

I'd like to see what 2019 Mikey has to say about Joker (2019) against what 2016 Mikey has said.

[@IlliniDog01]

Personally, I can't watch it because I don't want another Joker in my life.

[@Havocfang2]

Great episode. Good to see your subs picking up slowly. Extremely good points about Ledger's performance. I'd maybe put up Brando's performance in On The Waterfront (1954), Turturro in Barton Fink (1991) or Nishijima in Love Exposure (2008), but fuck if I'd be able to prove it so thoroughly.

[@catalandustin51]

This is one of the most entertaining videos I've seen all year. This needs way more views

[@SFinerFACE]

Absolutely excellent, Mikey ❤️ dang dang cool.

[@MrZabersuv]

totally agree but also heath had a nuance to his character that nobody in comic book movies will ever pull off again without being hokey or silly

[@GumpusRex]

Ahhhhh. I don't know if I'll ever watch this film the same way again. Thanks

[@GraysonSoper]

That little Boushh smash cut single-handedly made this the best video on youtube. Well done, Sir, I say: well done.

[@TwoWrights]

Again, a very insightful analysis. You deserve soooo many more subs. So I posted this on Reddit. I got 650 subs off one video on there. You will definitely get more than I did. I wish I could get my videos as smooth as yours. Fucking amazing.

[@isaacbee1]

What sub? I found it in r/videos: www.reddit.com/r/videos/comments/5if1ok/movies_with_mikey_the_dark_knight/?st=IWPXHTST&sh=0f149000

[@GeminibBorn]

Thank you Man, I*ve been saying this about Heath/Joker since day fucking one!!!!! I think its the best movie of all time.

[@GeminibBorn]

Still I dont think we got to see all of Letos performance, after re-shoots and terrible editing, we all know he was never gonna be Ledger but I still think it could have amounted to something with less studio interference. Looking at the only scene he has in the film that feels complete - the scene where he starts to intimidate the Security Guard tells me he at least had alittle something. Nothing will ever be Ledger - i just wish we had a chance to see what he was really made of - clearly he wasnt happy with how they messed up his character in the film - he literally said fuck'em. Its a real shame.

[@AstroLizard]

This was a great video. High, high, high quality all around.

[@mattybaesxp]

Dude, wow, only one thing to say - you rock! Love love love this vid. Great essay. Beautifully done. And yes, agree about Heath Ledger's performance. I'm a big fan of yours, keep it up!!

[@Metzae]

Hell yes. Nailed it, as usual.

[@JimBeezie]

I would love to know what you think of Knight's Tale.

[@spangelicious837]

And 10 Things I Hate About You. It was Heath's first leading role in a movie, and he was already great then.

[@jamesgarlick4573]

Actually, the hospital explosion wasn't botched, the delay was there purposefully to ensure Ledger was at his marked spot.

[@anybodyme]

Beautiful analysis, as usual. You really brought all of the complexity to light. I've watched this movie more times than any other and you still managed to provide some new insights for me. I feel like this movie even gets more relevant over time. Especially, the line "Because it's all part of the plan."

[@Draukagrissah]

I think this is a direction a fair number of films are going to take from now on, because of Dark Knight, and more recently, because of Infinity War. Have our bad guy be our protagonist. Hell you can look at it from a purely character development standpoint. We've already developed our heroes (in Avengers case, a lot for characters like Tony and Cap), why NOT spend much of the runtime of the movie developing your villain into someone whose story you care about? Even if you end up hoping they die a horrible death. *Especially* to make you hope they die a horrible death.

[@adamthompson5514]

This video is legendary!

[@thatSTEVEguyXD]

I'm relatively new to your channel and I just have to say, this is some of the coolest editing I've seen to go with such a great review series. As long as you're putting up videos I'll be tuning in.

[@joshliang9826]

I was recommended your videos from extra credits and you are amazing. Your writing, editing and insight are ace. It's a crime that you are so under appreciated as you are and you deserve much more attention than the other trash that gets exposure on this site. Please keep making these fantastic videos. >air high five

[@kardez506]

oh, man. please do make a Westworld one too at some point!

[@shadowseer07]

Christian actually punched Heath in the face...dude your boner for him is so justified. Epic.

[@mhandel]

Great piece! Excited for Grand Budapest, it's one of my favorite movies and my favorite Wes Anderson.

[@AEBlack-hq8hr]

Great video as always, Mikey! I did a paper back in college regarding Batman being a bourgeois symbol of the status quo and during my research I came across an article talking about how The Joker is often cast as a chaotic element that's built on upper-class fears of the lower class. This article was from the early 90s and was talking about Burton's Batman, though, so it's nice to see someone take on the similar ideas represented in TDK. Especially since, as you laid out in your video, TDK does a more effective job of really challenging Batman's usefulness.

[@HIMISOCOOL]

THAT WAS JOHN RISINGER, WELCOME TO ON THE SPOT

[@jhorkey626]

Unnecessary Tiger Prepare to be diddlefingered.

[@Abysmii]

I think it's a bit pointless to break down Batman's brand of justice as "not conventional" or "breaking the law". He's a vigilante. Everything he does skirts the legal system.

[@bigfrogs4207]

Abysmii well think about this; any confessions or information batman got probably was immediately thrown out by any worthwhile lawyer. thats why he has so much trouble taking down organized crime. he’s not even just breaking the law he’s simply ineffective

[@samchifa1088]

Ergo, a rabbid dog leashed by Gordon and the government designed to merely keep criminals "in line". I still goshdarn love him, but these tidbits of understanding just elevate a character so much so.

[@HakatimeRugby]

Abysmii so who is the hero? Thats the point

[@razorfett147]

We're criminals, Alfred. We've always been criminals....nothings changed

[@GlenfinnanForge]

Great video man. So freaking great. I hadn't thought about the movie from this context. Thank you.

[@nwdle1]

I watch this a few times a year. This is my absolute favourite analysis of a movie ever.

[@keithchristmas7315]

Gotta say a little something here. There seems to have been something of a backlash against honest criticism of mainstream media in the last couple of years. Lots of "haters gonna hate, just turn your brain off and enjoy it" from defenders of garbage fires like BvS. And I think mocking and tearing apart bad art (and sometimes even good art) is something important to us as a culture beyond thirtysomething nerds (of which I am one myself) swearing at NES games, but that doesn't mean there isn't also a place for positive critique that isn't shallow, facile, fawning adoration of something for he sake of it. Which is to say, you say good things about movies. Even when you've covered a movie that I don't particularly like, whilst you've never (yet) convinced me that I'm suddenly going to enjoy said movie, but you have always given me a deeper appreciation and understanding of why it's a worthwhile piece of art. This is thoughtful, insightful, exceedingly well presented movie criticism of the sort I truly wish there were more of. So, y'know, cheers for that, Mikey.

[@AFLoneWolf]

I have no shame in admitting that John Risinger's twiier account brought me here after 13:06.

[@CD3Z]

Not sure when or why I subbed but this popped up in my sub box and I loved every minute of it. Nice work!

[@gregmosher4287]

Man... I gotta say. I love movies, they have a ton of feelings welled up inside them an everyone likes movies for different reasons. But damn your reviews basically pull out all the feelings I have for movies and puts them on center stage. You do a absolutely amazing job and I am so glad every time one of your reviews goes up. I think it is telling that I re watch your reviews for movies more then any other because you just do such a amazing job.

[@quattroCrazy]

Judge Judy and Executioner...pure gold :D

[@TheOneLichemperor]

See Hot Fuzz. Immediately!

[@Cal6009]

Based on this review, I think Mikey would really like Law Abiding-Citizen. Up until the ending anyway.

[@Andrew_Price]

You SIR earned a new subscriber. Amazing commentary with a great amount of attention to detail.

[@NickPiers]

I'm actually not entirely unconvinced there were never any bombs on the boats at the end. That Joker orchestrated the whole thing to get the people to turn on each other and to screw with Batman.

[@NickPiers]

***** This is true, too. He looked confused and a little angry.