Went to the local IMAX to see this, and boy am I glad I did.
Overall I tried to keep my expectations low. I had been looking forward to this since I saw the first trailer yonks ago. I also knew that the critics were mostly raving about it whilst trying to avoid specifics. I wanted to go into this blind with a reasonable expectation and keep my mind open. In my head I was certain this movie wouldn't be what I expected.
And what I expected was a kind of action flick of sorts, and really...it isn't. At times the movie is downright uncomfortable to watch, with some incredibly well placed EXTREMELY dark/inappropriate humour (which I am not against day to day at all, but it adds to the "omg" factor which keeps occurring throughout the flick.
The movie did shock me multiple times, for me it was
- The sign to the face
- Shooting of the 3 stooges on the train
- Locking the door so the dwarf guy couldn't leave
I think they portrayed an immensely complex character with amazing finesse, he was depicted just trying to be a caring almost average everyday Joe Bloggs but clearly battling with so much inside his own head as he begins to slowly circle the drain and dissolve into chaos whilst just trying to be happy. As others have said...you seriously can sympathise with the guy and frankly...it is no wonder he is the way he is.
I thought all the cast were very well done except Alfred, cocked up there. The twist at the end was something else, interlocking the fates of Joker & inevitably Batman forever.
The soundtrack with the chellos for this movie were just so so immersive and worked really well. Joaquin's performance was outstanding, when he was being carted off in the police car and he was leaning against the window...the look they had for him was just so beautifully well done, for a second I really thought it was Heath Ledger in there. He completely owned this role in what is almost a scary way.
The cinematography was great as well coupled with fantastic pacing.
Overall...I was not disappointed. It all just fell together so well for me, I loved it!