Part 9/11:
This opening sequence and the pencil trick set a template for the entire film. It establishes the Joker’s modus operandi: chaotic, unpredictable, and terrifyingly human. It signals that Gotham’s criminal underworld and Batman’s vigilante justice are about to face a new kind of adversary—one who thrives on disorder and whose menace lies as much in his unpredictability as his brutality.
Furthermore, the scene demonstrates Nolan’s commitment to practical effects, physical acting, and detailed craftsmanship. Ledger’s improvisations, combined with technical ingenuity, give the scene its raw, visceral power, ensuring it remains iconic long after the film’s release.