The Dark Knight * FIRST TIME WATCHING * reaction & commentary

🎥 UNCUT watch alongs, Bloopers, & VOTE FOR MOVIES! bit.ly/3o1ftVw
👕 Merch & More: bit.ly/42Eugon
OPEN ME FOR MORE.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
🤩let's be friends!🤩
Twitch: bit.ly/3o5TD3l
Facebook: bit.ly/42UmXbK
Instagram: bit.ly/44ZzaOi
Twitter: bit.ly/454sHBs
4636 Lebanon Pike #362 Hermitage, TN 37076

[@DaWurfmaul]

Heath Leadger didn't kill himself, it was an accidental overdose on sleeping pills. He had been suffering from insomnia for years and took them every night. It was later reconstructed that he was drinking that night and forgot that he had already taken the pills. It still breaks my heart.

[@crankfastle8138]

That would be the definition of killing himself. His actions ended his life, intentionally or not. Also, not convinced it was an accident. But it doesn't really matter. Sad loss for all of us.

[@EKS511]

@@crankfastle8138actually no that’s not the definition of killing yourself. Otherwise when people accidentally died they would refer to it as such.

[@deadpool981]

@@crankfastle8138 suicide is not accidental . Suicide requires intention

[@constantdvdcollector]

😥Always makes me sad. He was a great actor who got cut down in his prime, much like Brandon Lee in The Crow.

[@chrissmith6097]

@@crankfastle8138 well of course an a**hole like yourself wouldn’t ever be convinced it was accidental because a**holes like yourself don’t believe anything is accidental. To a**holes like yourself, everything anyone does is planned out exactly and you refuse to hear otherwise

[@shainewhite2781]

RIP Heath Ledger. He posthumously took the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

[@TCM215]

Yeah and if he had not of died he would not have won it

[@Sam_on_YouTube]

He might not have won it if he hadn't died, but it would have been a snub because of the genre. He deserved the award.

[@sethrickard2154]

​@@Sam_on_KZbin he did not

[@louboo7192]

@@sethrickard2154 He did. He embodies the sheer chaotic madness of the character perfectly. Your opinion is yours and yours alone and stands in opposition with millions who say otherwise. Do not suppose you are that significant in this world. You are a grain of sand upon a beach. "In an avalanche the pebbles do not get to vote"

[@axr7149]

Chadwick Boseman was posthumously nominated for Best Actor for MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM (2020), and lost despite being the favorite to win. He lost to Anthony Hopkins for THE FATHER (2020).

[@Land967]

Batman was actually going to Rachel, Joker told them the wrong addresses for each person. Blowing up the hospitals wasn't about targetting specific characters or people, it was just about the CHAOS. many people have possibly have family and friends working/treated at the hospitals (and it's a random choice what hospital) so he's getting anyone at all to try and take him out to save their family/friends.

[@errwhattheflip]

I don't think it was chaos per say, but Joker's game of proving that everyone can be just like him and chaos is more or less a means to and end

[@catrionacolville2192]

How could she not figure that out?

[@ayysea5717]

@@catrionacolville2192she was too busy yapping and tryna be entertaining instead of watching the movie and reacting

[@dnasty312]

​@@catrionacolville2192it happens

[@oliverhardy9464]

People always take the chaos line from Joker too serious. Yes, he likes to create Chaos. But his goal was to drive Harvey crazy. He is a master manipulator. He still has plans. Every new action he took was to prepare the next step. The bank robbery to intimidate the Mafia and to finance his schemes, taking out the one mob Boss that was against him, so he could use the mafia connections to the corrupt cops that drove Harvey and Rachel, smuggling a person with a bomb inside into the MCU.... Actually the story about the truck with the soldiers blowing off might be this Jokers origin story or motivation. He blew up and nobody cared and now he takes enjoyment in recreating the chaos and destruction. As he said, it's about sending a message. This could also explain why it's impossible to identify him and why he knows how to use weapons and explosives.

[@glozwellvonzergelflerven7405]

It bums me out so much that Ledger didn't live to see how much we appreciated this performance. He deserved to. To me it's on the level of Brando in the Godfather. He just has this energy where every time he's on screen you can't take your eyes off him. To take an established character and do something this fresh and unique with it, in a way that totally fits the world of the story, feels so special.

[@jasonseipler2665]

Yeah, but he didn't have "Damaged" tattooed on his forehead, so still only 2nd-best Joker.

[@soubhagyanayak3098]

We had Jack Nicholson before. He was amazing. But somehow Ledger outdid him imo. Then comes Phoenix. I don't have the heart to say that he was better. But i think i would understand if someone said that. There's something about that character that there are at least three amazing live action portrayals. Not to forget the favorite portrayal for many Batman fans, Mark Hamil.

[@robbubar7429]

@@soubhagyanayak3098 ...or Cesar Romero.🙃

[@soubhagyanayak3098]

@@robbubar7429 Oh yes him too. But the guy stealing the show was Riddler. Isn't it?

[@chrisleebowers]

As intersting as Tom Hardy was able to make Bane and as bigger than life as he became after that incredible aerial stunt sequence, there was still a Heath Ledger-sized hole in the third movie. It's a testement to all involved we even liked the third movie after being denied The Joker's return. It's ironic, we only got one Jack Nicholson performance because they killed the character in the movie; they were smart enough not to kill him this time and the actor dies...

[@orboobleck5366]

"Oh My God...not what I expected." That was pretty much everyone's reaction to Heath Ledger's Joker. It was a revelation.

[@nickperkins8477]

As soon as I heard Heath was cast as The Joker, I knew he would be amazing in the role.

[@PrimetimeD]

RIP Heath Ledger. Michael Jai White (who played the mobster Gambol) said that Heath was very considerate and helpful to the other actors. An example he gave was of the table scene ("I'm going to make this pencil disappear...) they shot only the mobsters perspective for a couple of days, and Heath went ahead and got in full makeup and costume and got in character to help them react naturally to his lines. Also during the scene where he is holding the knife to Gambol's face, White said that Ledger asked him if he had any feedback and actually took some suggestions for that scene. White also said that the myth going around that Ledger was so into character that filming this movie killed him is complete nonsense, as Ledger was only in character when the cameras were rolling and was laughing and joking with the cast and crew. TLDR: Ledger was a super nice guy and very giving as an actor.

[@juliodavila424]

Aaron Eckhart has a really nice story about their scene in the hospital room. How Ledger worked with him to get that rythm going; at the end, Ledger was all happy because they obviously got a great scene and he was all like, "that's what it's all about"

[@mycroft16]

Which is what makes it all the more heartbreaking that he did die. He was a phenomenally good actor who clearly had much to give others and was humble enough to learn from others at the same time. I can't imagine the great roles he would have played had he lived. Joker played by him is extremely terrifying. Unhinged in an actually scary sort of way. It's amazing.

[@adolfojacosta]

If I had to guess about how the “method actor” rumor got started it probably started because someone took something by true and blew it out of proportion. If I had to bet, there was probably an intense scene he was trying to get psyched up for one day and maybe between takes he was just trying to stay in it so he wouldn’t lose it, but once the scene was over he was fine. Some crew guy probably saw that one day and told someone else who told someone else and then it suddenly becomes “Ledger was in character 24 hours a day and scared everyone on set.”

[@Dilligff]

@@adolfojacosta The whole 'method' theory took hold after his predecessor, Jack Nicholson, had stated on camera that he had 'warned him' of getting too involved in the role. People automatically assumed that meant going 'method', but in actuality it was his creativity and obsessive attention to detail that he was referring to. The problem was that he was too energetic and imaginative to the point he was getting insomnia because his mind just wouldn't shut down. He was prescribed drugs to deal with it, and he'd been taking pain medications as well and likely the sleep deprivation caused him to make the unfortunate mistake of mixing those meds the wrong way. He was never 'depressed' or 'moody' according to family, friends, and coworkers. Quite the opposite. His death was a tragic accident (and I'd say a bit of negligence on his doctors part for not accounting for what potentially mixing those medications would do) and the whole rumor that he deliberately ended himself needs to stop.

[@mattp6089]

If anyone feels like they didn't get to see enough Ledger, you can always try 'Two Hands', great Australian gangster movie. There's a decent chance you never saw it if you live outside Australia.

[@dannybonett8349]

I’m sure I’ll say more but the line delivered flawlessly from the amazing Morgan Freeman “Let me get this straight, you think that your employer one of the wealthiest most powerful men in the world is secretly a vigilante who spends his nights beating criminals to a pulp with his bare hands, and your plan is to blackmail this person? Good Luck”. Priceless. Absolute solid gold dialogue

[@RickJames-wf2rm]

Always thought the same dude

[@Drawkcabi]

Some serious unintentional gold here in this one from Ashleigh... "I'm hoping Harvey's not a double agent..." "The Joker is wild!" Love it!!!

[@robertlehnert4148]

Gordon wasn't "spineless" in _Batman Begins_ , rather he was an honest cop trying to survive in a very corrupt department and city. Since the Batman has aided tremendously in cleaning up Gotham, Gordon is far more free to be the good cop he always was.

[@thbemky827]

he also had no idea how bad it REALLY was and he learned tremendously from that experience and was totally equipped to deal with this and the next movie

[@robinford4037]

A bit like serpico (Al pachino film) honest undercover cop in a corrupt precinct. During a raid other cops set him up and held back while he was shot.

[@fynnthefox9078]

Yeah, what the fuck, Ashleigh?

[@Lunch_Meat]

@@robinford4037 also robocop

[@robinford4037]

@UCGtQBbz0nPesjkPZziecfBA not sure on the 2014 film, but the original robocop was about a corporate destroying the credibility of the police to the public, then they would replace the police with walking security tanks to police the utopian city they were going to build. 5hey would eventually sell the tanks to the military around the world. But due to the machines running amok and indiscriminately killing people. they got replaced by a competing division in the company who were setting up the police to die on the streets so they could use there brain to run a robot body.... the police precinct went on strike because police officers were dying, but Murphy was still a dedicated officer who didn't strike but carried on patrolling alone and got ambushed and shot. All I remember from serpico was Al Pacino investigating police corruption and some being arrested. Later, when back on normal duty, he was a marked man by the police and one day on patrol he was pursuing a suspect with other policemen and got trapped, he was screaming for help and his colleagues stopped a few feet away, waiting for him to be shot.

[@rmhartman]

Freeman's response to the guy that wanted to blackmail them was epic. One of my favorites scenes.

[@nolanhewitt2563]

Also fun fact the guys name was Mr reese and I might be stretching it but I think he was supposed to be the riddler Mr reese Mysteries

[@fireeaglefitnessmartialart935]

​@Nolan Hewitt I never thought of that. I've watched this movie so many times on my own and in reactions, and I've never thought of that, nor have I heard anyone else say that.

[@testfire3000]

@@nolanhewitt2563 That is very clever! Hmmmm 🤔

[@Judymoe]

I saw opening night, and that "LOOK AT ME!" was terrifying and loud. You felt the growl in the 'look'. He did such a good job at making a previously campy villain into someone who was a bit campy, but utterly terrifying.

[@mizrolist]

Comic book Joker wasn't campy since he killed Jason Todd and paralyzed Barbara Gordon...

[@lazyperfectionist1]

Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger each played the Joker _very_ differently, but each _defined_ the role. Of course, in the _animated_ series, the Joker was voiced by Mark Hamill, and _his_ Joker is really good, _too._

[@gamerbear84]

Kevin Michael Richardson's Joker from The Batman had a charm of his own too.

[@beetlebob4675]

Heath's version seemed like the most realistic version, as if the Mark Hamill comic character that Nicholson personified suddenly came into this reality and all the cartoon magic was stripped away. All 3 are GOAT, for different reasons. 😂

[@dillonsronce2583]

Mark Hamill was great with the doing the joker voice.

[@danharris5999]

Going back even further, those individuals of my vintage age grew up with the '66-'69 Batman TV series, which featured Latin actor Cesar Romero as the Joker in several episodes. The series was very campy, but it's beloved by many.

[@beetlebob4675]

@@danharris5999 Ah, yes. The originals always deserve praise. Lol. Same with Star Trek. The Original Series is SOOOOO campy, but it's hard to exempt it from recognition. It was progressive for its time, and important to so many people. Familiarity with it's details aren't necessary to understand the later series, but it provides context and sets the bones of the story. Pun intended. 🤣

[@vapors4villains]

Fun fact: when The Joker entered Bruce’s party, Alfred was supposed to say something, but Michael Caine was seriously so shocked that he couldn’t get the line out. Love your reactions, especially to this.

[@ShinoNC]

The old guy Joker puts the knife in his mouth at the party is a real life US senator. He was a huge batman fan and asked to be in the movie.

[@CapFan80]

Maggie Gyllenhaal's reactions while pulling away from him where completely legit too as he completely terrified her.

[@Smido83]

Mostly cause Ledger improvised the entire szene and noone had seen him in costume up to this point. Nothing from the script was used here. Maggie Gyllenhaal didnt know whats going on and her entire reaction when Ledger grabs her with the knife is jenuine. You can actually see her looking away/around to Nolan for help... but Nolan did nothing.

[@MrZampanov]

@@ShinoNC I wanna say he's been in every batman movie since the Tim Burton ones

[@Rikard_Nilsson]

@@ShinoNC He's actually had a cameo in Batman Forever, Batman & Robin, TDK, Dark Knight Rises and Batman vs Superman, and voice acted in Batman The Animated Series, he's also written the foreword to two Batman comics and one green arrow comic.

[@KCHunter]

Oh, we're doing a BIG ONE today! Can't wait to see how Ashleigh reacts to Heath Ledger's legendary performance ... the thumbnail is already telling me so much! :D

[@dillonsronce2583]

I couldn't wait to see how she was going to react to this.

[@BOT_JERRY]

Heath is a joke. Just like robin Williams. They both in hell burning for eternity

[@spirittammyk]

The entire cast and crew should be commended. Not only first rate acting, but the script, directing, music, all of it is just one fantastic package.

[@kennyfmt510]

Batman didn’t choose to rescue Harvey. Joker told him the opposite addresses.

[@bettrhalf8006]

I've never been a fan of Batman, but I watched this because Gary Oldman. Turned into me falling madly in love with Ledger. What an absolutely incredible performance, beginning to end. I was so sad to hear of his passing. If there is an afterlife, I hope it's the kind where he got to witness the impact he made on people before he died. He deserves to know.

[@grantbowen1018]

Fun fact, Ashleigh: The real reason why The Joker kept licking his lips was because the prosthetics Heath wore for the scars were attached to his lips and every time Heath would talk the “feathering”, as they called it, would make the prosthetics almost fall off and the makeup department would have to fix it. So, rather than having Chris Nolan keep saying “Cut” every time so the makeup people could put the feathering back in place, Heath came up with the idea of licking his lips and they kept it in the movie

[@shartheheretic]

That's so cool! I had never heard that. I commented on another thread that I had seen someone say that it may have been him making the acting choice of having a "tic" that is commonly caused by some anti-psychotic drugs. This makes as much/more sense, though.

[@jacob4920]

It does give the Joker that touch of "crazy" sauce that just adds more volume to his character.

[@grantbowen1018]

@Jacob I think that’s why I love the character! The Joker is so unpredictable and it’s that perfect blend of him being comedic yet scary that has made his popularity last as long as it has. Especially with all the actors who have played him

[@knavehart]

Ashleigh reactions are great, but sometimes she talks through the info that answers her questions, like not realizing the whole scene where Batman catches the banker is in Shanghai, not Gotham... The Joker lied about where Rachel and Harvey were. He reversed their addresses. Batman thought he was going to Rachel.

[@acidsupernova]

"The scream that I almost scrum!" This had me laughing! Never change, Ashleigh!

[@testfire3000]

That was priceless and so Ashleigh!

[@zebzamboni]

The hospital explosion scene was done at an office park slated for redevelopment, so it was fully practical. They really did blow it up in one take. The part where thr Joker futzes with the remote was an improvisation when one of the real detonators didnt go off exactly when expected. He had to stay in character no matter what since that was the only take they could do.

[@cixelsyd40]

The director in a behind the scenes extra debunked that. The delay was intentional so they would have time to get the actors to a safe distance.

[@turntsnaco824]

​​@@cixelsyd40 Yeah, this is an overly-perpetuated movie myth. Any of the explosions not going off when they were supposed to could have been a REALLY bad thing and would not generally be a moment to improvise for the camera. I mean, maybe the exact charade he did was his own creation or something, but the idea that it was supposed to explode sooner but it didn't so he came up with the gag on the fly simply isn't true.

[@geekdetritus5503]

There was a feeling while watching this in the theater that without talking to one another the whole audience realized we were seeing something special. Even though it was an uneasy foreboding feeling, that never seemed to quite go away; seeing this movie in a theater with an audience was an experience most movies can't achieve. You felt like you were watching an important part of history even though it was a comic book movie

[@ann-kathrin77]

Great story and great words. Thanks for sharing 🙂 I find this trilogy is something special too.

[@Life-is-a-birdsong]

♥️♥️♥️

[@ResurrectionDreams]

Saw this movie and The Dark Knight Rises in theaters with my dad when they came out. Still some of the most memorable movie going experiences I've had.

[@jacob4920]

Christopher Nolan just has this "magic touch" with movies he does. No matter what the material, he definitely makes it memorable.

[@vincestapels2022]

I was 8 years old and remember loving it. I did get scared as hell when seeing Two Face reveal. But remember LOVING the Joker in the movie.

[@justingarrett1675]

The changing of the Scars story is most likely a reference to one of the most famous Joker Stories. The Killing Joke. In the book Joker says to batman that sometimes he remembers his past one way sometimes he remembers it another way. He says that if he is gonna have a back story he wants to be multiple choice. Also the mask Joker is wearing in the beginning of the movie is a reference to a mask the 60s Joker wore in one of his earliest appearances.

[@robmcdonald6808]

I was going to put both of these facts but checked to see if anyone else had. Kudos

[@ajclements4627]

Joker should be a mystery, he’s more fun that way.

[@rubensalvador9422]

"The Joker is Wild. " Yes he is. Great reaction. It was fun watching this with you.

[@PurushaDesa]

Michael Caine on helium squealing, “ _Know your limits_ “ had me crying with laughter. 😂

[@jxchamb]

Everytime I watch this film, which is quite often, I gain a new appreciation for Heath's performance. Truly amazing.

[@jawbone78]

I came here to say the same. I've seen this movie probably 20 times, and I still am blown away every time at what he did. It wasn't shallow Johnny Depp-style theatrics, it was real acting. He genuinely inhabited that character, made you believe that you are watching a real person. A twisted, evil, chaotic person, but there was a genuine quality that most actors just cannot bring to such an otherwise over-the-top performance. I've never seen anything like it. I knew he was a talented actor, but my goodness what an absolute titan we lost at such a young age.

[@TheHighSorcerer]

It's really tragic that he died after this film, and that he got so much shit before this. Damn what a legacy to leave behind though. Dude basically said "You think I'm not a good actor, watch this", gave a baller performance, and then dipped out from life. Mad respect for the man, he sure showed us what he was made of.

[@shartheheretic]

I've always been impressed by the small acting choices he makes in the film. Ashleigh talked about him licking his lips, and I remember reading somewhere that this was to hint that Joker had possibly been on anti-psychotics, since some of them lead to "tics" like the lip-licking (partially due to dry mouth from the meds). I remember thinking that had I not known ahead of time that Heath Ledger was the Joker, I would not have guessed it was him. He just disappeared into the role.

[@sputnikalgrim]

Ledger’s turn as the Clown Prince is a masterpiece

[@Arxane]

Seeing Ashleigh’s reactions to the practical effects is always a treat. Director Christopher Nolan is famous for doing everything possible to make sure the effects shown on film are practical instead of CGI. Not everything is practical, of course, but he pushes the envelope for what could be done in camera. So he did in fact flip a real semi truck upside down, and those bat cycle tricks done by stuntmen driving what they described as a very dangerous machine.

[@Nikowgreek]

I think it was tenet where nolan bought and crashed a jumbo jet

[@FranciscoJuanillo]

Seeing the Batcycle/Semi-Truck scene on opening night in theatres was incredible. The whole audience broke into applause and cheers. You just had to be there for the premiere…

[@SixHundredWays]

I love this girl's reactions so much. She is so clownish, goofy and overdramatic, but she is NEVER boring.

[@fannybuster]

Her Wackyness makes her Special.

[@armastat]

FYI: That is her regular self. lol

[@harish123az]

There are some really funny moments in the reaction For example, in the movie , Lau clearly says he is escaped to Hong Kong with the money and out of Gotham's jurisdiction, Gordon and Harvey make a huge deal of Lau escaping to Hong Kong and being out of their reach, and batman saying he will get him back, Batman needing a whole elaborate plan with yacht to get away so no one knows he is going to Hong Kong, Lucius has to plan to go to hong kong and leave his phone there, Batman needs to get his plane to carry Lau back to America from Hong Kong And then when Lau is talking about bribing the policemen, she really thinks its Gotham and they are talking about Gotham police! Despite the above plot and planning happening for half the movie. i laughed out loud

[@TheHighSorcerer]

She does a great job editing the videos for pacing and entertainment value.

[@jxchamb]

Some reactors just want to watch KZbin burn.

[@inarar5334]

The lip licking came about in a really unintended way. The scar prosthesis drove Ledger slightly nuts and he was doing that unconsciously as a result. People noticed and they were like "that's actually kinda perfect, let's keep it."

[@kelaarin]

To quote Mark Hamill: "I've never seen a more tongue-centric performance."

[@PrivatePAuLa29a]

The Joker's "LOOK AT ME" growl gives me chills every damn time.

[@hulkslayer626]

One of the greatest acting performances ever!! The character leaves the actor unrecognizable! R.I.P. Heath

[@Emerald-ym9rh]

The old man at the party where the joker puts a knife to his face? That is Senator Lehay of Vermont. he has been in a LOT of DC movies in cameos.

[@sldawgs]

Ashleigh, remember what Harvey said, "You die a hero, or live long enough to become a villain." One of the best superhero movies ever.

[@dolphinsrr]

Almost perfect. I didn't like how they handle 2faced.

[@jacob4920]

And it became the truth for both Harvey and Bruce. Both he and Bruce lived just long enough to become "the villains."

[@houdin654jeff]

Glad you dug this, and yeah, Heath’s performance is spell binding and creepy at the same time. The licking thing he does was arrived at because of the prosthetics for his scars. They were apparently quite irritating to his skin and he couldn’t stop himself from licking them now and then… so he decided to work it into the performance. Easily my favorite of the Batman films, up there for my favorite Christopher Nolan film depending on the day.

[@themosh54]

I've heard it could be worked into his character as one of the side effects of lithium is dry lips, so people being treated for psychosis sometimes make them lick their lips. As the movie goes on, he licks his lips less which could be interpreted as him not taking the lithium anymore.

[@sarahneuren7057]

The actor who played Gordon also played Sirius Black in Harry Potter.

[@beetlejuiceflorida]

Ashley, I loved your quote about the "firetruck on fire." "You became the very thing you set out to destroy." Brilliant. :)

[@KennyG881]

I never get tired of seeing first timers seeing the pencil trick.

[@kellifranklin9872]

Same!

[@tjolsonmcse]

Ta Da!

[@thehighseer23]

It's... it's gone!

[@LadyGreensleeves33]

DUDE, I was a teenage Batman nerd when this came out and let me tell you, it was the most awesome thing. And the MARKETING! There was a whole online marketing campaign, where they legitimately made real websites for the Gotham PD, and the news sites, and Wayne Enterprises and everything and had Joker hack them and screw them all up, and there were all these legit news videos released with the news anchor guy and interviews and then those got like interrupted and Joker-fied and it was just badass 😂 I was obsessed with it

[@piercelo5277]

When the Joker shows up to Bruce's penthouse Alfred was actually supposed to have a line. But Michael Caine was so overwhelmed when he saw Heath Ledger (he had never seen him in his full costume and makeup before then) that he forgot his line. They kept that take in because it was such a genuine reaction from Alfred.

[@Chuuzus]

Dare I say Dark Knight is the greatest superhero movie of all time because it was very very realistic! and Heath Ledger as Joker is one of the greatest performances of all time

[@crankfastle8138]

Jesus, of all time? Wow.

[@JasonON]

Ha ha ha! No. Into the Spider-verse is the best superhero movie of all time. First of all, it has Spider-Man, the greatest superhero of all time, and ... ... it's a great movie.

[@galencox1531]

I would say its Logan but i get everyones oppinion about there "best" Superhero Movie. They are all great and to different taste is wonderful and should be respected.

[@TheCrazyCanuck420]

​@crankfastle8138 Most super hero content is crap so it's a fair statement.

[@ririschannelx]

not with that lousy third act it’s not

[@TheForsakenEagle]

It makes me so happy that Ashleigh got to finally see a magic trick.

[@Michelle-DiPalo]

That magic trick is my favorite part of the movie. It's just so simple and clean (in a way).

[@TuxKamen]

I always loved comic Joker's line (I could be paraphrasing): "If I have an origin, I want it to be multiple choice."

[@adampulchinski4015]

So many fun things about the making of this movie and choices made. All the violent stuff like people being killed is always offscreen (probably how it kept a PG-13), Ledger directed the hand held camera scenes with Joker, and the hospital explosion was all practical so they only were able to do it the once (it was a building set for demolition and the delay of the explosion was real, thus Ledger’s surprise reaction as Joker was real). This is one of my top five movies of all time and it holds up incredibly well.

[@daveautzen9089]

One of the best lines ever IMO is “Some men just want to watch the world burn.”

[@thehighseer23]

This movie is full of fantastic lines that still get used (and parodied) all the time. I love that Ashleigh called out the one about becoming a villain... she apparently hadn't heard it before but I feel like I hear it or something similar quoted all that time.

[@CybrSlydr]

I'm convinced that Batman didn't go to save Harvey. The Joker told him the wrong place on purpose to punish him. Same with the boats - I'm convinced that if they'd used the detonator it would have blow up their own boat, not the other, to punish them.

[@ryanmahoney4185]

He says in the movie he’s going to get Rachel and sends Gordon to get Harvey. Joker switched addresses.

[@MandalorianRevan]

Bruce made no secret of that. He outright stated he was going for Rachel.

[@thehighseer23]

We'll never know for sure about the boats but I think you're spot on with the Joker's methodology. I have no trouble believing that was how his plan was going to work.

[@jaykay3784]

The detonator would blow both boats. That's my theory.

[@DracoSolon]

What really made this movie was the unexpectedness of Heath Ledger. Someone who had done mostly pretty boy roles (there was even a bunch of chatter at the time from fans before release about how this casting was bad) suddenly steps forward and literally delivers one of the most stunning acting portrayals of all time. And that's not hyperbole. It's very much arguably one of the top ten performances in the history of cinema.

[@Glittersword]

You have to admit he went out at the top of his game. 😔🙏🙏🙏

[@escott1981]

Ya I agree, and it is so very sad that Heath never got to see how everyone would react to his performance.

[@Glittersword]

@@escott1981 If you believe in an afterlife you should believe he saw.

[@NelsonStJames]

It still gets me that this section of fandom will always lose their sh#^t whenever casting for films is announced, but the fact is you really don't know how good any actor might be in a part until they've done it. Not one of these fans would have cast Ledger in this role ( or even considered him ) and would have missed out on one of the greatest performances we have in a comic book film adaptation. This has been the case several times and yet these clowns ( pun intended ) will still jump on the internet and rant and complain whenever an actor is announced getting a part.

[@herbertkeithmiller]

25:37 Awkward Ashleigh sputtering in utter astonishment had me laughing out loud.😂😂

[@krisfrederick5001]

Nostalgia will always have Jack Nicholson as the Joker in my heart...But what Heath Ledger did, is next level evil. Absolutely Brilliant. 🃏

[@waynezimmerman1950]

I know you meant to say Caesar Romero from the 60s Batman. 😐

[@crankfastle8138]

@@waynezimmerman1950 nope, he really meant mark hamill

[@johnfriday5169]

​@@waynezimmerman1950Romero was so gangster he wouldn't shave his mustache, just makeup over it.

[@NetanelWorthy]

Jack Nicholson will always be the comic book Joker to me. Heath Ledger will always be the “Real World” Joker.

[@jacob4920]

@@NetanelWorthy Except the problem with that conclusion is that Jack Nicholson's Joker (as brilliant as it was) was actually nowhere CLOSE to the "comic book depiction" of the Joker. Ledger's character actually comes closer (but still falls short of the mark, in a lot of ways). I think we can both agree, however, that both Jokers are superior to the crap we got in "Suicide Squad."

[@josefstalin9678]

I love how early she managed to catch on to the double sided coin compared to how she completely forgot that batman was in Hong Kong when he captured Lau, not Gotham. Its that kind of stuff that keeps me coming back to this channel.

[@jeffreysmith236]

it is a two headed coin. EVERY coin is double-sided.

[@SG-js2qn]

As a superhero movie, "The Dark Knight" may not be everyone's cup of tea, but Ledger's Joker is an elite performance. Sometimes an actor gets a role - and it may be just a supporting role - and they nail it so solidly that everyone thinks of that as the signature performance of a career. The Joker in "The Dark Knight" is Ledger's career role, just like Val Kilmer in "Tombstone" and Anthony Hopkins in "The Silence of the Lambs." Respect.

[@jp3813]

Any movie is not everyone's cup of tea, but TDK is among the most beloved superhero films of all time.

[@testfire3000]

@@jp3813 Agreed! I am 99% a Marvel fan but this trilogy and this film in particular stand out as amazing superhero film making. TDK has such a standout performance by Heath Ledger, RIP my dude, gone too soon.

[@Lunch_Meat]

As super hero movies go, most of 'em are pretty campy and overrated. TDK is to superhero flicks what "once upon a time in the west" is to westerns. This movie isn't just a comic book movie it is THE comic book movie and it breaks down what a comic book movie is and should be, going even so far as to incorporate cosplayers and people who use superheros as a fantasy escape.

[@jp3813]

@@Lunch_Meat Like ALL genres, the majority of superhero movies are considered bad or mediocre. The word "overrated" only began to be thrown towards that genre in the 2010s during the height of its popularity. Before then was decades of low expectations. Though it started building up w/ Blade, 2008 ushered in the era of respect for superheroes, which had been long overdue.

[@Lunch_Meat]

@@jp3813 14 years of these movies being overrated is a long time as movie genres rise and falls in popularity go. Let's face it though, not a lot of super hero films have any depth and get by on a whole lot of dazzle and that's been true since Christopher Reeves Superman. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but there is nothing wrong with calling it for what it is either. Overrated

[@Jared_Wignall]

Christian Bale is the best Bruce Wayne/Batman for me and Heath Ledger is the best Joker for me. Everyone in this film did a great job from the cast to the crew. It’s cool to see you react to this film. The film should have been nominated and won more awards than what it ultimately got. Great reaction Ashleigh.

[@canman87]

Agreed, the best Batman and best Joker that have ever been put to film. If the suits in charge of DC films were smart, they would have paid Christian Bale whatever he wanted to continue portraying Batman in all their movies. Instead they tried to fill his shoes with a number of other lesser performances and it hasn't done them any favors.

[@NelsonStJames]

I just wish Nolan would have directed him to not use the "Batman" voice; however we've gotten some really good memes and comedy out of the fact afterward, so maybe wincing everytime Bale talks as Batman is worth it.

[@andre1999o]

One thing I love about the Joker makeup in this movie, and I don't think I've ever seen anyone mention it, is how much it ages Heath Ledger. He was around 27 when they filmed it, but he looks almost 60.

[@wheresatari668]

You also see it deteriorate as the movie goes on and he becomes more unhinged. A genius and subtle touch.

[@crankfastle8138]

Copius amounts of drugs will also do that.

[@jculver1674]

Ledger apparently did the makeup himself. He (and Nolan) didn't want it to look too professional, but like something an amateur would put on himself, all caked-on and grimy.

[@gobabygirlzen]

I’m in my 60s and I have watched many, many movies. The performance by Heath Ledger in this movie is beyond brilliant. Every time I watch this I see some new, small thing Heath Ledger did that just amazes me.

[@panzerwolf494]

One of my favorite stories of Heath was in between takes he liked to skateboard to calm down, but stayed in character the whole time. So through the lots you'd see the Joker skateboarding around being his special little self

[@NelsonStJames]

Wish someone had gotten some bts footage of that.

[@kitrichardson9916]

Little UNKNOWN Fun Fact: The actor playing the Mayor also played a hero character in the short-lived live-action series, The Tick, as Bat Manuel. 😄

[@DravenGal]

One of Ledger's finest performances, if not his finest. Such a loss. He was an incredible actor. "A Knight's Tale" is one of my all time favorite movies, and there isn't a Heath Ledger movie I don't love.

[@Caseytify]

10 things I Hate About You, a re-telling of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew.

[@BrokenGodEnt]

I always quote A Knights Tale. "I will fong you! I will make your intrails your extrails!"

[@DravenGal]

@@Caseytify Also excellent. Makes me cry now.

[@charlie.h.4]

Cool thing about how he always changes the story about his scars. In the comic books, the joker doesn't have a concrete origin story. It changes depending on the writer at the time. This was a nod to that, which makes the joker almost more scary because you can't look back to pin a single thing on why he is the way he is. Just chaos incarnate from an unknown source.

[@JamesS.254]

He just IS.

[@cypher515]

They finally pinned down in the comics that at some point he was the Red Hood, and he fell into acid as the Red Hood, but although that origin is depicted first in The Killing Joke, it's not necessarily canon in _just that story._ He says to Batman, "if I have to have a past, I prefer it to be multiple choice!"

[@fireeaglefitnessmartialart935]

"Aahhh. Were gona break ya legs!!!" Had me laughing. Lol.

[@nightelvesreasy]

fun fact: that meat locker scene with joker and the fake batman, Heath adlibbed that whole scene, he literally grabbed a camera and did the whole scene in one take, the fear on the other actors face was 100% real, nothing was rehearsed

[@chuckmanion1128]

So the reason Heath Ledger added the lip licking tick wasn't just to be creepy. His prosthetic would peel off if it wasn't kept moist. So him licking kept the the prosthetic moist. He did it so he didn't have to keep doing make-up touch ups between takes. Also Ledger didn't commit suicide. It was a fatal mix of pills, including anti-depressants and sleeping pills. He heavily over medicated and the interactions between pills killed him.

[@JKM395]

Such a great film. I remember seeing it in the theater and everyone was just as blown away as you. I hate that we lost Heath. I can’t imagine what he would have done. As a side note, Nolan flipped an effing truck! Some of the coolest practical I’ve ever seen.

[@intheredcold9216]

It really is.... there's actual a bootleg vid out there of someone who was in another building videoing while they did it. It's really cool to see it from a different angle and without the "gloss".

[@grantbowen1018]

@Cpt. James K Morgan I remember when I saw this in theaters, the audience was chuckling at the scene where The Joker was caressing the Batman cosplayer’s face but the second he shouted “LOOK AT ME!” it got so quiet that I could’ve dropped a pen and everyone would’ve heard it

[@JKM395]

@@grantbowen1018 Oh for sure. When the Joker spoke, we all listened.

[@valinn13]

Heath Ledger's Joker was the first one I would be truly afraid to be in the same room with. It was a stellar performance!

[@ericmichel3857]

You should check out "Film Theory: Joker Is The Hero of Gotham (Batman The Dark Knight)" kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIubiohrfMh-Y9U It will blow your mind.

[@TheMsLourdes]

Fun fact, the scene at the fundraiser where Rachel is confronted by the joker for the first time. What you are actually seeing there when she starts looking to the side and basically for help from the crowd, isn't her acting. She's looking for help from the director, the extras, whomever because she's actually scared. She'd never seen Heath in the makeup, so from the get, she was already metaphorically pissing herself on sight. then he came in and the rest, well its on the screen. Got it in one :)

[@dylandaly2002]

One of my all time favorites, not only one of the best comic book/superhero/sequels films but one of THE greatest films ever made. Heath Ledger delivers one of the best performances ever! RIP. Not to mention the iconic brilliant score by Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard, still gives me chills to this day! The definition of a modern classic masterpiece!!! 🙌🏻

[@MissMarchHare]

and giving it up for David Dastmalchian as the baddie in cop uniform. one of his first breakout roles. Dastmalchian is also a vocal activist for mental health and suicide prevention. A very cool guy.

[@DJRezonance]

Agreed

[@ThreadBomb]

I don't like the way these movies have two villains instead of one. It's an easy way to make a movie seem more complex, but inevitably the momentum of the story is broken up, and one of the villains ends up looking weak.

[@errwhattheflip]

@@ThreadBomb I honestly don't think any of the antagonists are weak tbh. Specifically Joker and Two-face

[@maximillianosaben]

This is such a great darn movie. The very end actually gives me chills every time.

[@Lyndiloo]

I forgot about your channel while I was sick with covid and I'm so happy I found it again. I love your genuine reactions. I sent your Green Mile video to like everyone I've ever met so we could all cry together. xoxo

[@KuscosPoison]

Ashleigh says, "Can you imagine being on set with him staying in character as much as they say he did?" Ashleigh, THAT is WHY Rachel reacted the way she did when he pulled the knife and acted so off the wall at the party scene. That was Heath improving. The fear in Maggie (actress playing Rachel in this one) was real and true fear at the whole thing.

[@coolguy473]

One of my favorite things Ive read is the scene where Joker grabs Rachel was the first time she had seen him in make up and in character and she didnt know he was going to grab her. That is a genuinely fearful encounter. Supposedly.

[@keithboyd9582]

Heath ledger said in a interview about how he came up with his version of The Joker, "It's what if Hanibal Lecter had a baby with Jack Nicholson's Joker." Also the apartment where he died was owned by one of the Olsen twins who was on vacation at the time of his death.

[@kevinoconnor5630]

That small joke about the on-fire fire truck becoming the very thing it swore to destroy, LOL!

[@BrokenGodEnt]

I always tear up at Gordans speech to his son at the end. "A silent guardian. A dark knight." Shit swells the eyes a lil bit ngl.

[@reinrose82]

I love that you’re new to these characters so Harvey Dent was a surprise for you. We knew him as the villain Two-Face, but this is still the best origin for him I’ve ever seen.

[@amzngspdr62]

There were a ton of theories regarding the Joker's true origin in the movie. My favorite is from actor/comedian Patton Oswalt who thought the Joker was ex-military intelligence who specialized in interrogation. “He seems to be very good at the kind of mind-fuckery that sustained, professional interrogation requires. His boast about how ‘I know the squealers’ when he sees one. The way he adjusts his personality and methods depending on who he’s talking to, and knowing exactly the reaction he’ll get.”

[@EdSigma]

I like that theory, it does fit in with him saying "Don't start with the head" in the interrogation room scene, suggesting he has some sort of experience in those matters.

[@shawnlopez2317]

That's an interesting theory, and if he was a "Black Ops" guy who was captured, that would explain why there was no record of him, disavow all knowledge of him and all that, plus if he was a patriot who was left to hang by the country he loved, he would realize what a big Joke it all is. Yeah, I could see that. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheNeonRabbit]

I'd like it better if we just never find out. There's no limits on what he might do that way.

[@davidsavage5630]

My favorite theory....and the creepiest one by far...is that Joker is a tulpa. Or more specifically, Batman's tulpa. Even being a deep cover black ops agent or soldier or something, there would be fingerprint records of him somewhere. I know him being LITERALLY a tulpa is kind of against the whole realistic mandate of the trilogy but...I like it. The most logical one though is some kind of super deep black ops guy who got extremely screwed up..

[@mattturner6017]

"The scream that I almost scrum..." You ARE a scream, Ashleigh. So fun to watch your videos!

[@imthewolf1]

"As God as my witness.... I thought turkeys could fly!" I noticed your shirt. 😂😅

[@chrisandrew7577]

The amount of easter eggs, attention to detail, and little plot elements that could be overlooked in this movie is crazy I forgot to mention practical effects, behind the scenes, and Heath's role commitment

[@melissaroszkowski8911]

Recasting Rachel turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Maggie Gyllenhaal brings so much to the character and makes it that much more heartbreaking

[@slchance8839]

17:50 "huh....a firetruck on fire. (stares at camera) You became the very thing you swore to destroy." 24:30 "ooh. The coin is a metaphor for his own self. One side is fine the other side is NOT." 35:45 "oh! The hollar. The scream that I almost SCRUM." scrum....lol! I wish I could subscribe TWICE for those gems.

[@gslifelix]

The fact that Heath Ledger was around 26 years old when he did this movies baffles me, performance waaay beyond what you'd picture for someone that young.

[@TarhosTheKnight]

What doesn't kill you simply makes you... *stranger*

[@shawnlewis3632]

"You die, or live long enough to see yourself become the Villain" - Harvey Dent. Applies to both Batman and Two-Face at the end of the film.

[@gram440a]

19:46 The Bat Unicycle! LOL The Bat-Pogostick!

[@NathanMalnaa]

One of the best lines in the movie. "As you know madness is like gravity, all it takes is a little push" lol

[@Sukiyaki3174]

I appreciate the attention to detail when it came to the Jokers sense of humor. His jokes increasingly become less funny and more agitating to the audience as we watched in horror how they reference his victims. Also the Firetruck set on fire is a visual pun that only the Joker would think is funny.

[@Bad_Wolf_Media]

This movie was (primarily) filmed in and around Chicago. The all-black building that they used for for Wayne Tower that Ashleigh really liked is he Chicago Board of Trade building. The "hospital" the Joker blew up was an old Brachs candy factory and office building that was schedule for demolition. The company got paid by the studio to do the demolition work, which is a smart business decision, I think!

[@jculver1674]

And the car chase was filmed in a real part of Chicago called Lower Wacker Drive, which is also where the famous car chase from The Blues Brothers was filmed.

[@Bad_Wolf_Media]

Another note (for anyone who wants to do a "Dark Knight" sightseeing trip to Chi-Town), the three-mast sailing ship that Bruce takes the Russian Ballet company out on, the last I knew, is usually docked at Navy Pier. It's been a few years since I was there, so apologies if that's changed.

[@earnharvick]

Young lady I found your channel recently while looking for a Tremors reaction and I have to say your channel is the very best by far! Your facial expressions and laugh crack me up, you are the new Lucy! Keep up the excellent work!

[@ghoulygirl4658]

Severely underrated comment "Oh a firetruck on fire. You became the very thing you swore to destroy." I lost it. 💀

[@TheTitandog70]

Get ready for heck of a ride. One of the best comic book movies of all time

[@reservoirdude92]

I need a reaction to A History of Violence, STAT.

[@crawdaddy2004]

You don’t need the “comic book” qualifier. It’s just straight up one of the best movies of all time.

[@RealTechZen]

​@@crawdaddy2004 It's Heath Ledger proving that great acting can overcome a gumball machine of a script and even a genre in which gumball scripts are the norm.

[@tmendez31]

This was my favorite joker out of all of them.

[@6LVRDRGN]

Holy crap Ashleigh, your reaction and passion for this (incredibly epic) movie was infectious!

[@drewsue100]

The Joker mixed up the addresses for Harvey and Rachel on purpose knowing that Batman would choose to go after Rachel and find Harvey instead. Pretty cunning and sadistic move. Heath Ledger was an amazing actor. I wish that his tragic death never happened. What they could have done with the Joker character with Ledger is mind blowing. Joker didn't die in this movie.. So it truly could have been many more movies. RIP Heath Ledger ❤

[@thomasbaron5367]

The interrogation scene was real Bale told Ledger he was going to try to take it easy on him And Ledger told him to "just go for it. Kick my ass." And the hospital explosion was completely improvised There was a short in the pyrotechnics and Ledger was unaware of the delay and the camera just ran with it

[@ddiamondr1]

Get off Ashley’s channel scam fake.

[@ninjabluefyre3815]

This is not true, the delay in the explosions was planned.

[@adamdavies4480]

The hospital explosion is actually false. Heath improvised when getting into the bus. However the explosions and the “malfunction” was 100% planned in the script. Nolan cleared this up referring to the specific effects supervisor who had complete control over the practicals in the scene.

[@amberlynYT]

So, since Heath Ledger died, ive not been able to bring myself to watch any of the movies he was in. (The way he died had a profound effect on me as an antidepressant user, and its just so damn tragic) But today, that changes! There's no way I can miss seeing you react to his masterful performance ❤

[@mmattson8947]

Maybe Ashleigh will watch "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus", which is the movie that Ledger was filming at the time. A movie that became a tribute to him, with other actors filling out the parts that weren't filmed yet.

[@NL197]

Seeing this film countless times, watching this reaction and commentary was an intense experience because it's such a good reminder of how powerful this film is.

[@Paineinyourblank]

I'm sure someone else will mention it here. But yeah the hospital scene is just amazing. The switch delay was not meant to happen. It went off later than expected and Heath Ledger kind of ad libed and they went with it. Classic scene now on film 🎥 ❤️

[@adamdavies4480]

This is actually false. Heath improvised when getting into the bus. However the explosions and the “malfunction” was 100% planned in the script. Nolan cleared this up referring to the specific effects supervisor who had complete control over the practicals in the scene.

[@granadosvm]

Ashley was not at the top of her game today, missing that Batman's heist was in Hong Kong, not Gotham, that Batman was going to pick up Rachel but the Joker gave them the wrong address, or that the Chinese accountant was on top of the pile of money that was burned (most reactors miss this one) is understandable, given the pace of the movie, but calling Batman "Spidey"... 😂😂 Very entertaining reaction, as always. 👍

[@Caseytify]

I missed the bit about the Chinese accountant myself.

[@eljobo3258]

It's a rough reaction all the way around, including the editing

[@Scary__fun]

Action movies aren't her thing. She tolerates them but you can tell, they're not her favorite things to watch.

[@IMR95]

@@eljobo3258 Reaction is fine. If she reacted to everything WB would blocked her.

[@AlexSeverinski]

Yeah, we got a new actress for Rachel. Offically it was because Katie Holmes was busy with another role, but considering she was involved with Tom Cruise at the time, who was and is known for being eccentric, it's an open secret that he had a part in it. Heath didn’t unalive himself. He overdosed. 12:38 It was the makeup. It was the first time Maggie saw Heath in it. 23:34 No. You were right. He did go to Rachel. Joker just switched the addresses.

[@fannybuster]

Overdose is kinda killing yourself

[@AlexSeverinski]

​@Fanny Buster I'm fairly certain he didn't intend to kill himself.

[@orboobleck5366]

@@fannybuster From what I've heard it was accidental. He was on a medication that messed with his short-term memory and he just FORGOT how many he took.

[@bobsmith-tf2wb]

It is so cringe when people say "unalived"...why is it so bad to use the actual word that fits? This world is gone so soft

[@liamfitzgerald7217]

@@bobsmith-tf2wb For KZbin, it's so that the video doesn't get flagged and possibly taken down by KZbin.

[@gman7774]

"The scream a almost scrum!" Lol😂

[@earthien]

FUN FACT: The Gotham News anchor (who later makes an upside-down recorded message for Batman, then is almost mistaken for one of Joker's henchmen) is none other than Anthony Michael Hall. You may remember him as the "Brain" in "The Breakfast Club" and Rusty 1.0 in "National Lampoon's Vacation".