Heath Ledger plays The Joker in probably the most believable way. Instead of the comic bookish portrayals in the past, he plays a true sociopath. Christian Bale plays a troubled soul as opposed to the oafish Adam West or unbelieveable Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer or a too suave George Clooney. The past two Batman movies really show how a real person would deal with the events in one's life leading to adopting an alter ego such as Batman. This was an excellent sequel to an excellent start. I just hope the next continues along the same lines. If you get the chance to see this movie, don't pass it up.