Character/Performance

The main characters in this opening are the clowns. The character design is meant to be threatening and dark. As such, the clowns are all wearing suits, gloves, and masks. This cuts out any relation the audience can make with the character, turning them into an alien prescence. Alienating the viewer can create a threatening atmosphere, especially when they're forced to continue watching instead of switching to a normal or 'safe' character. The actors have very gruff voices and spend much of their time shouting their commands, which shows power and menace. The characters are also depicted as cold-hearted, showing no remorse for killing their peers, even speaking casually to them - "funny, he told me something similar".

The way the clowns move is very fast and jerky. They are trying to do everything just right, but it's obvious that they are under considerable pressure. They perform their tasks quickly, flicking between objectives in quick succession. An obvious example is their heads - they turn around so often to keep checking their surroundings. They run everywhere, and crash through doors in a hurry. This conveys the urgency and desperation of the scene - gotta get away, can't be caught.

In stark contrast, the Joker (I have referred to him as Clown C in some posts) moves relatively slowly. In his first appearance he is standing completely still. After subduing the hostages, he strolls between them, almost as if he's bored - clearly he has done this before. He shows no concern when Clown E pulls his gun on him, and deals with the banker in a similar way; after he shoots him, he stands and stares at the man (this recurs later in the film, where the Joker explains his joy in savouring the 'little emotions' in a dying victim). When the banker calls out to him at the end of the scene, the Joker walks over slowly, almost dejectedly, and deals with him with confidence. He wanders back into the bus and, as a characteristic oddity of the Joker, he bounds across the seats in a comical fashion. This funny side blends well with the sense of awe and admiration the audience feels as a result of the Joker's brilliant success.

The Joker, as portrayed by Cesar Romero (campy style), Jack Nicholson (Burton version), and Heath Ledger (Nolan's Dark Knight).