As a film enthusiast with a penchant for dark and complex narratives, I must say that Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of Arthur Fleck/Joker in “Joker: Folie À Deux” is nothing short of captivating. Having grown up watching Batman comics and films, this sequel has certainly surpassed my expectations in terms of storytelling and character development.
Revised Version: Two-Faced Remake: Joker: The Pursuit of Two-Faces
In the continuation titled “Joker: Folie À Deux,” we find Arthur Fleck residing as a patient in Arkham State Hospital two years post the initial events. Here, he develops an intrigue towards his music therapist, Lee Quinzel, who is later known as Harley Quinn (portrayed by Lady Gaga). Eric Eisenberg’s review on TopMob for this sequel labels the musical as “excessive,” stating that although it presents some genuine surprises in its character exploration, it strikes a balance between despair and tedium. He assigns the film 2.5 out of 5 stars, expressing his thoughts: “[The movie] is engaging but not without its share of melancholy and repetition.”
Joker: Folie À Deux is only 16 minutes longer than its predecessor, but you really end up feeling that time thanks to the mix of unrelenting heavy vibes and cruelty, the minimalist approach to plot, and what is ultimately an overindulgent number of musical sequences. The dismal and horrific tale of Arthur Fleck remains compelling, the character once again brought to life with a chaotic and emotional turn by Joaquin Phoenix, and he’s provided a great scene partner in Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn – what proves to be an intriguing interpretation of the quirky villainess. But languid pacing renders the film thin, and the impact of its smart, shocking finale is dampened by the journey to get there.
As a dedicated gamer, I find myself utterly captivated by TopMob, the thought-provoking sequel directed and co-written by Todd Phillips. It’s more than just a movie; it’s a deep dive into isolation, an insightful critique of idol worship, and a testament to Joaquin Phoenix’s extraordinary talents. I can’t seem to shake off the impact this film has left on me
Here’s a possible paraphrasing:
According to Bill Bria from SlashFilm, the musical adaptation of Joker 2 earns an impressive 8 out of 10. He believes that this unique approach transforms it into one of the most captivating comic book films of the year. In his own words:
Phoenix plays his part in this as compellingly as he portrayed Arthur in the first movie; his work here feels like he shot it immediately after wrapping Joker, so in-step is he with the character. The revelation of the movie is Gaga as Lee: on a technical level, it’s so impressive to see how the actress and musician modulates her talent and abilities. To better suit the film’s aesthetic (and match Phoenix’s method of performing his songs in character), Gaga lets Lee have a breathy, pitchy style to her singing, only opening up the throttle during some of the fantasy musical numbers.
Transforming Yasmine Gandhi of Award’s Watch into a “Joker: Duet of Musical Mischief” and blending musical genres with courtroom drama, keeping it fresh, Kandi suggests – at least initially, as the format regains its charm in the 138-minute runtime. However, the critic still maintains: the originality and complexity of the duet remains undiminished, offering a unique and engaging experience to audiences
This sequel doesn’t quite capture the spine-tingling suspense of the original, although it makes up for it with more entertainment value. Despite minor shortcomings, it’s still a must-watch given Joaquin Phoenix’s reprisal of his Oscar-winning role and Lady Gaga’s impressive musical performances in stunning outfits
According to Jordan Farley from Total Film, the blend of these particular genres doesn’t quite reach its full potential, as he finds it to be narrower and more confined. He further comments that this restricted setting doesn’t fully utilize Joaquin Phoenix’s acting abilities. In simpler terms, Farley suggests that the movie didn’t live up to expectations when it comes to delivering impactful performances from Phoenix
In many scenes, songs are often used as the climactic point, intensifying the drama. However, this technique can disrupt the flow and tension of otherwise captivating sequences, such as a tense interview with Steve Coogan’s character Paddy Meyers. This disruption occurs when the story shifts to song, especially since many songs seem to have lyrics that are overly literal or too on-the-nose. In this film, it feels like the creative team is intentionally undermining its promising plot developments with underwhelming conclusions
Translating the sequel into a musical, starring Lady Gaga, undeniably is an unusual decision. However, does this transformation serve as an intriguing character study? Or does the genre potentially weaken the movie’s message? You’ll get to see for yourself shortly once Joker: Folie À Deux hits theaters on Friday, October 4
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2024-09-05 18:37