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By Jill Alphonso
IS HEATH Ledger's Joker in the new Batman film, The Dark Knight, the greatest villain of all time?
Yes, comes the chorus of critics everywhere.
The Australian actor, who died at 28 of an accidental drug overdose in January, has created an iconic villain so menacing, many have tipped him for a posthumous Oscar.
Co-star Michael Caine says Ledger's Joker is "the best villain I've ever seen" and director Kevin Smith gushes on his blog that the actor "disappeared completely into the role".
Rolling Stone's Peter Travers says he "takes the role to the shadows, where even what's comic is hardly a relief".
Singaporeans who have caught the film are blown away.
Film-maker Eric Khoo hails Ledger's turn as "brilliant" and critic Tay Yek Keak says that "the actor touches a part that exists in all of us - the part that wants to disobey, to create mayhem and anarchy".
Critics have put his Joker in the league of baddies such as Anthony Hopkins' Hannibal Lecter and Anthony Perkins' Norman Bates.
Variety's Justin Chang gives the highest praise: "With all due respect to the enjoyable camp buffoonery of past Jokers like Cesar Romero and Jack Nicholson, Ledger makes them look like, well, clowns."
The Dark Knight is expected to be one of the year's top blockbusters.
American cinemas have added 6am showings to meet demand created by sold-out midnight and 3am screenings.
In Singapore, distributor Warner Bros is hopeful too.
"Overseas reviews are excellent and preview screenings were warmly received. We are confident that the film will perform well with all the positive publicity," said general manager Ng Peng Hui.
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