The Dark Knight - A True Hero!

(Heath Ledger as The Joker in The Dark Knight)
(2008) ★★★★★

‘The Dark Knight’ has probably the most atmospheric opening in movie history, where Health Ledger’s The Joker pops up for the very first time, as well as the most moving, poignant, heroic ending ever in Marvel Hero movie. In between are emotional dialogues and spellbinding, well-choreographed, explosive action scenes with great score. This film is truly amazing.

Of course ‘The Dark Knight’ wouldn’t be so amazing without Health Ledger’s crazy, incomparable performances. He’s such a crazy freak in the film, and he probably freaked us out in life too with his sudden death after filming. Said he’d suffered from depression. Why? Could it be that he had to be so mad to make this Joker role so haunting? What do you still remember about ‘Batman Begins? I guess… nothing. What about ‘The Dark Knight’ then? I guess… nothing but the Joker, his insanity, his jokes, his stories about the scars on his face, his seriousness of saying ‘why-so-seri-ous?’. Seems like Mr. Ledger took it a bit too serious and pushed too far, even if he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Role after death. Anyway, we’re impressed. He’s missed. And so ‘The Dark Knight’ has become a classic.

What must it take to be a hero? Great skills, guts, wits, strong will, a sense of responsibility, and above all, I guess, a heart of loving-kindness. He should be able to do what most of us can’t, forgive his enemies and not forsake those fiends, just like the Batman did in the end. So Jesus Chris is a hero. The Buddha is a hero. So are Mother Teresa and Aung San Suu Kyi… they all own the most powerful weapon in the world that is the ability to forgive. The Batman’s not a hero till he finally decides to take the fall and become a dark knight. He’s to make sacrifices and give people hopes that the good will always prevail.

We all need a hero to look up to in a dark hour, just like we need a strong leader in a troubled time. But we ought to be careful not to confuse heroes with outlaws or tyrants. How to tell? Don’t you know yet?