The Dark Knight: Ledger lives on

In 2008, “The Dark Knight,” directed by Christopher Nolan (“Memento”), featured a performance that would change acting forever. Heath Ledger as the Joker will never be topped. Simply because we never notice it’s Ledger. I challenge a reader to view this film and find one scene where they’re not lost in his superb depiction of an absolute “agent of chaos.” I wanted to visit this film again, because it’s been five years since it was released and the Colorado shooting at the new Batman movie sickens me.

It was sad enough Ledger’s death of a drug overdose six months before the film’s release gave it some bad press. The association of his private demons couldn’t be left alone. I remember two things as I write this. First, when I saw Ledger on the screen (in his introductory scene) I jumped (yes, I jumped) out of my seat. He was that authentic. Flash forward to July 20, 2012 and I wake up to the news that there was a massacre at the “Dark Knight Rises” opening. I had an interesting feeling pass over me as I thought; Ledger scared me, today’s event scares me. Is that sad or brilliance? I felt even worse when the shooter had made himself look like Ledger. It disgusted me.

Ledger delivered his A-game and all of the sudden the Colorado shooter is trying to tarnish it. Ledger needs to be remembered as an artist. Any link between his spirit and the current Batman shooting, utterly disrespects the work (of art) he created. We need to re-examine films.

I believe in our current times of elections, immigration, debates and health care; take a break! Watch a movie, explore something new.

I felt the need to shed light on this film.

Ledger’s death was criticized, but this film leaves you wondering did he die from drugs after going to deep into a character? Or was Ledger truly living.

As he milked his art, controlled his magic and exercised his passion for everything it was? You decide.