As a film enthusiast with over three decades of experiencing different shades of cinema, I must admit that I find myself at a crossroads with the upcoming release of “Joker: Folie à Deux.” My first encounter with Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker left me spellbound, and I was eagerly awaiting this sequel. However, the early reviews and box office performance have left me feeling like the proverbial kid in a candy store who found it to be more of a medicine cabinet.
Following its mixed reception from critics, audiences, and financially at the box office, the upcoming DC sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, is poised to bring its deliberately contentious character to households much sooner than expected, according to Variety’s report. The anticipated Joker sequel now has a digital release date, with the musical-themed thriller set to arrive on home screens barely a month after the sequel graces movie theaters.
It’s troubling to note that “Joker: Folie à Deux,” the highly anticipated sequel to the comic book movie, will be available for rental or purchase digitally starting October 29. The film premiered in cinemas only a few weeks ago on October 4, but has been criticized heavily and hasn’t performed well at the box office, earning just $165 million globally against its production budget of $200 million. To give some perspective, the initial “Joker” film made $248.4 million worldwide in its first three days, suggesting that the sequel may cost Warner Bros. between $150 and $200 million by the time it leaves theaters.
In the follow-up film “Joker: Madness Duplicates,” directed by Todd Phillips, Joaquin Phoenix, an Academy Award winner, joins forces with Lady Gaga (from “A Star Is Born”), Brendan Gleeson (“The Banshees of Inisherin”), Catherine Keener (“Get Out,” “Capote”), Steve Coogan (“Alan Partridge”), Harry Lawtey (“Industry”), and Zazie Beetz, who previously starred in “Joker.” The story unfolds shortly after the massive success of its predecessor, focusing on Phoenix’s character, Arthur Fleck, as he is confined at Arkham Asylum, awaiting trial for his actions as the Joker. Amidst his battle with his dual identity, Arthur discovers love and taps into the music that has always resonated within him.
Joker 2 Has Seriously Faltered With Both Critics & Audiences Alike
Besides its disappointing financial performance, the film “Joker: Folie à Deux” has also elicited a collective sense of melancholy among both critics and viewers, reminiscent of a sorrowful clown. Currently, on Rotten Tomatoes, it scores only 33%, while the Popcornmeter gives it a similar rating of 32%. Despite some varied critical opinions regarding the sequel to “Joker”, there appears to be a general consensus among both critics and audiences that they have been left feeling underwhelmed.
One critic who shares in that disappointment is Owen Gleiberman of Variety, who said of the movie, “Joker: Folie à Deux may be ambitious and superficially outrageous, but in a basic way it’s an overly cautious sequel.” Glenn Kenny of RogerEbert.com, meanwhile, gave Joker 2 a 1/4 and says, “The best thing I can say about it is that it clearly does not take marketing, as it’s conventionally understood, into consideration.”
As a film enthusiast, I must admit that I found myself captivated by the bold and innovative approach of “Joker: Folie à Deux”, which I’d describe as a daring hybrid musical.
For fans of DC Comics who are seeking a dose of intense violence, similar to one of Joker’s major inspirations, might find this sequel underwhelming as it offers significantly less action than the initial film. Some viewers may express boredom at certain points, but others will appreciate the absurd yet impactful scenes that resonate deeply due to their apt portrayal of Arthur’s constantly conflicted state of mind.
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2024-10-15 14:01