A superhero great that benefits from cinematic genius

Rating: 10/10 (24 April 2019)

The Dark Knight can be effectively labelled as indisputably the greatest superhero film of all time, with no exceptions. It is an incredible blend of the blockbuster appeal of the superhero subgenre, the grit and reality of the gangster genre and Christopher Nolan's own intricate and powerful storytelling style.
But more on Nolan in a moment - it is important that we first address the performance of the film's primary villain, Heath Ledger as the Joker. There is a reason that Ledger's performance is idolised as the greatest comic book villain performance of all time, and it comes down to both Nolan's brilliance in adapting the Batman legend to a realistic modern setting, and Ledger's incredible knack for transformative acting.
There is much throughout the Dark Knight trilogy that Nolan adapted thoroughly effectively to create a new kind of Batman story that will last throughout the ages. Comic book cartoonishness and campiness was replaced by a real, gritty exploration of what it is to be human, especially in this second instalment. And part of this symbolic exploration was the character of the Joker.
Ledger's Joker actively rejects the "rules" of comic book supervillains. His motivation is not power, money or influence, but rather a simple desire for chaos in order to reveal the true, human nature those who claim to hold righteousness in Gotham. It is through the lens of the Joker that Nolan explores a fascinating observation on humanity best described by Ledger's monologue to Aaron Eckhart's Harvey Dent - human society falls apart when things don't go according to plan - even when that plan is tragically flawed and corrupt.
Thus, the Joker becomes not just another obstacle for Batman to overcome, but a true agent of chaos who reveals the worst in humanity, which is revealed in Eckhart's transformation to Two-Face. The supervillain, under Nolan's watch, takes on a more symbolic and important meaning than just another freak who opposes our hero.
Ledger himself dives, tragically, headfirst into the role to explore depths of insanity and evil never quite experienced on film before. His last performance is one that truly reveals his talent and skill in the craft, and every appearance of the Joker brings a sinister energy to the film that results in him completely stealing the show.
What makes Nolan's The Dark Knight an exception to the formulaic mediocrity of superhero films is its deeper meaning. Whatever Nolan touches turns to visual, meaningful and emotional gold, and this use of the superhero genre to explore the darkest aspects of humanity is truly the greatest that we have or ever will see.