His performance is everything people are saying it is, even non-people like critics.  I take back all the Heath Ledger gay jokes about Brokeback Mountain.  This makes Hannibal Lecter look like a smurf in ankle socks.  My only word of caution is wear a colostomy if you see the iMax version.  You'll thank me later and I'm sure the ushers will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Heath's performance is chilling.  I'm sure the Navy Pier Imax folks will appreciate your warning. lol

I can see now how when he said in an interview after shooting that movie how he had trouble sleeping while they were filming it because it was such a dark role. I would have too.

Yes, awesome movie, incredible performance especially in its context.  

There was a scene where the Joker set up some kind of a dilemma with two ferry boats full of passengers, each of which had the detonator to the other boat.  He explained the rules of the game but I wasn't listening carefully enough, and then I was distracted trying to figure it out for the next 15 minutes.  

Someone please explain?!

me too I was in the bathroom then, couldn't wait any longer so I missed that too just have to see it again with my other son I guess.

equaling his psychotic behavior.

When neither ferry exploded he was genuinely confounded and disappointed; but then true to his mania he quickly displayed an “*Incapacity for guilt” and wished only to blow up both ferry boats himself.

(Psychopathic behavior traits)

1. Callous unconcern for the feelings of others
2. Incapacity to maintain enduring relationships
3. Reckless disregard for the safety of others
4. Deceitfulness, chronic lying & conning others for profit
5. Incapacity for guilt
6. Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behavior  

the scenario is a maudlin and over used cliche.

It even appeared on an episode of Star Trek TNG in a different format.  (Skin of Evil)

The best parts of the movie are when The Joker filled the screen.

That pencil magic trick took the cake!

The analogy/comparison of Batman's monitoring EVERY cell phone conversation in Gotham City for the collective good of stopping Joker's reign of terror, and then giving Lucius Fox(Morgan Freeman) the power of moratorium over the mass communications eavesdropping was extremely topical.

"Stay the course" engagements against the enemy and high health care costs being two others.

Personally I like my action heros neat.