Joker 2 Review - It Didn't Have To Be This Way

Summary

The review discusses the sequel to 2019's 'Joker,' expressing disappointment with its lack of a fresh storyline and its decision to incorporate musical elements. While praising Joaquin Phoenix's performance and the film's cinematography, the reviewer argues that 'Joker: Folie à Deux' feels like an unnecessary, stretched-out epilogue to the original. The story rehashes familiar themes and offers little new insight into Arthur Fleck's character. Despite technical brilliance, the film's weak plot and awkward musical numbers detract from its overall impact, making it a mediocre follow-up to its predecessor.

Takeaways

• 🤔 The 2019 'Joker' film was seen as a self-contained story, and many fans believed a sequel wasn't necessary.
• 💸 Despite fan wishes, a sequel became inevitable due to the original film's massive financial success, breaking the $1 billion mark.
• 😐 The sequel, 'Joker: Folie à Deux,' is criticized for feeling like an unnecessary epilogue to the original, adding little to the character of Arthur Fleck.
• 🎶 The decision to make the sequel a musical is seen as a mistake, with the musical numbers feeling out of place and disrupting the film's flow.
• 🌟 Joaquin Phoenix's performance is once again praised, with him fully transforming his body and bringing emotional depth to Arthur Fleck's character.
• 🎭 Lady Gaga delivers a decent performance as Harley Quinn, though her role doesn't ask much from her and remains understated throughout the film.
• 🎥 The cinematography is one of the film's highlights, with beautifully crafted shots, vibrant colors, and excellent technical execution.
• 📉 The story lacks fresh ideas, primarily rehashing themes and character elements already explored in the first film.
• 🎤 The film tries to use music to enhance Arthur's character but falls short compared to how music was used in the original.
• 🔪 The film's ending is divisive, with Arthur Fleck being murdered by another character who is implied to be the 'real' Joker, leaving Arthur's arc unresolved and unsatisfying.

Q & A

What made the original 'Joker' film so impactful that fans were hesitant about a sequel?

The original 2019 'Joker' film was a self-contained story that explored Arthur Fleck's transformation into the Joker, focusing on themes of mental illness, societal neglect, and individual suffering. It resonated deeply with audiences and critics, partly due to its darker tone, powerful performance by Joaquin Phoenix, and cultural relevance. Many felt it didn’t need a follow-up because the story was complete and impactful on its own.

Why did Warner Brothers decide to proceed with a 'Joker' sequel despite the initial reluctance from fans?

Warner Brothers pursued the sequel because of the first film's massive box-office success, where a $70 million budget resulted in over a billion dollars in earnings. Despite fan reluctance, the financial success made a sequel inevitable as it would still generate significant revenue even with an increased budget.

How does the sequel, 'Joker: Folie à Deux,' compare to the original in terms of story and depth?

The sequel 'Joker: Folie à Deux' feels more like an extended epilogue to the original rather than a fresh story. It rehashes themes already explored in the first film and doesn’t offer much new insight or development. The story is stretched over a longer runtime without introducing anything significantly different from what was presented in the original film.

What are some of the positive aspects of 'Joker: Folie à Deux' mentioned in the review?

The sequel is praised for Joaquin Phoenix's performance, which is once again powerful and compelling. The cinematography is also highlighted as stunning, with visuals that surpass the original in some ways. Lady Gaga delivers a solid, albeit understated, performance as Harley Quinn, and the film excels technically in terms of editing, sound mixing, and overall presentation.

Why is the musical element of 'Joker: Folie à Deux' considered a mistake?

The decision to make 'Joker: Folie à Deux' a musical feels out of place. While the musical numbers are well-executed, they often feel shoehorned and disrupt the film’s tone. For viewers not fond of musicals, these segments can be disengaging, making it difficult to stay immersed in the story. It was felt that the first film's use of music, as part of the atmosphere rather than a full-blown musical, was far more effective.

How does Lady Gaga's portrayal of Harley Quinn differ from previous versions of the character?

Lady Gaga's portrayal of Harley Quinn in 'Joker: Folie à Deux' is more subdued and quiet compared to other versions. Her performance is fine but doesn’t add much new to the character, with less of the hyperactive energy typically associated with Harley. Instead, she uses facial expressions to convey emotion, which works well within the film’s more serious tone.

What criticisms are made about the sequel’s story?

The primary criticism is that the sequel lacks a compelling story. It doesn’t offer anything new beyond what was already shown in the original 'Joker.' Much of the film feels like a repetition of themes and ideas, with the plot being stretched out over a longer runtime without substantial development. The attempt to delve deeper into Arthur's past also weakens the mystery surrounding his character, which was part of what made him intriguing.

How does the review view the performances of the supporting cast, including Lady Gaga and Brendan Gleeson?

Lady Gaga delivers a competent, understated performance as Harley Quinn, but her role doesn’t demand much, which limits the impact she makes. Brendan Gleeson, as one of the abusive guards, plays his role well and effectively creates tension with Arthur Fleck, reminiscent of similar characters from classic films like 'Shawshank Redemption.' Overall, the supporting cast is solid but doesn’t overshadow Joaquin Phoenix’s performance.

How does 'Joker: Folie à Deux' handle the theme of Arthur Fleck's mental illness and past trauma compared to the first film?

'Joker: Folie à Deux' brings more of Arthur Fleck's traumatic past to the surface, exposing elements that were previously implied in the first film. However, this diminishes some of the mystery surrounding his character, which was part of his intrigue in the original movie. Instead of adding new layers, it merely confirms what audiences had already suspected, leaving little to discover.

What is the overall conclusion about 'Joker: Folie à Deux' according to the review?

The overall conclusion is that 'Joker: Folie à Deux' is a technically well-made film with strong performances, particularly from Joaquin Phoenix, but it doesn’t justify its existence in terms of story. The film feels unnecessary and overly long, failing to introduce new insights or developments. The musical aspect detracts from the narrative, and while the performances and visuals are impressive, the story lacks the freshness and impact of the original.