As Batman Begins does gangbuster business this weekend at the box office, several of my friends (whom I trust for movie advice) rave about the flick. Thinking of the Caped Crusader (whose TV show your humble blogger enjoyed as a lad), I recalled Tim Burton‘s 1989 Batman flick and Jack Nicholson‘s whimsically maniacal portrayal of the Joker. In my mind, Nicholson’s Joker has always been one of the best movie villains of all time.
So, today’s open thread, which character, in your mind, is the best movie villain (or movie villains) of all time?
UPDATE: Just got in from the latest Batman flick. While Tim Burton’s had a better villain, this one has a better Batman. I’ve liked Christian Bale since I first saw him in Kenneth Branagh‘s Henry V. He seems to have found his niche in the movie which should become his first blockbuster.
I’ll start: My choice for best movie villian is Hans Gruber from Die Hard. (Played by Alan Rickman as a menacing, charismatic, murderous, droll delight.) Rarely are you so glad to watch a great villian AND cheer his death, both!