As a long-time fan of the Batman franchise, I found Joker: Folie à Deux to be a fascinating exploration of madness and obsession, with its unique blend of drama and music. Having grown up watching musicals, I must admit that the integration of song and dance sequences into this dark narrative felt both unexpected and intriguing.
Alright… where do I even start this?
“Folie à Deux, the Joker sequel set for release in 2024, was a movie I had been eagerly anticipating. Despite my doubts about whether a follow-up to the 2019 Joker would work, I’m always willing to give new things a chance. Learning that Lady Gaga joined the cast to portray Harley Quinn (or Harleen Quinzel) was definitely enough to convince me.
After much anticipation, the highly-publicized sequel “Joker: Two Madnesses” was released, but it fell short of expectations with dismal results. It didn’t come close to meeting the earlier box office projections, and as more people watched the movie, criticisms grew louder. To be honest, I wasn’t a big fan of it either, and considering I wasn’t its intended audience, I can only imagine the disappointment felt by those who were die-hard fans of the original film.
Despite the fact that most people dislike one particular aspect of “Joker: Folie à Deux,” I find myself quite fond of it. I’m ready to defend it, so let’s delve into it, but be warned: there will be spoilers for “Joker: Folie à Deux” from this point onward.
As A Fan Of The Original Film, The Second Joker Was A Disaster
Let’s address the issue at hand first: Regrettably, the movie “Joker: Folie à Deux” turned out to be quite unfavorable, or in simpler terms, it was a catastrophe. The film doesn’t seem to warrant the poor Rotten Tomatoes rating it currently holds, with an equally low Audience score. There have been movies that are far worse than this one, which arguably should have earned even lower scores.
To be honest, “Joker: Folie à Deux” might have been more fitting with a 45% or so rating, considering it didn’t seem significantly superior to what critics awarded it. The movie had promising elements initially, but it gradually lost its momentum, scene by scene. This descent was like watching a car crash – it was terrible yet hard to turn away from, as one contemplated the various reasons leading to this outcome.
Including Arkham Asylum as a significant plot element is simply terrific! With such a vast array of characters to explore, it’s intriguing to see some thoughtful continuations from the initial film. I always appreciate these kinds of narrative choices. Moreover, introducing a famous character like Harley Quinn and having Lady Gaga portray her – brilliant indeed!
Each time something promising appeared, it seemingly vanished into insignificance. Arkham seemed more like a backdrop than a fully realized location, with minimal development of the guards, prisoners, or anything else. Characters such as Sophie, Puddles, and numerous others were present for a mere five minutes before disappearing entirely, despite playing significant roles in the initial film. Harley was underutilized, while Gaga felt like an addition rather than a central focus.
Numerous events left me feeling generally disheartened as the trial progressed, my spirits sank further. Unfortunately, this movie failed to explore the concepts introduced in the original one, leaving them unexplored.
Even If It Was A Mess, Joaquin Phoenix And Lady Gaga Still Gave Great Performances
Regardless of how the film turned out, I’d still heap praise on Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga – they certainly didn’t disappoint, even when the bills were piling up.
Was Phoenix’s performance in this film as impressive as his Oscar-winning role in the first Joker movie? Not quite, and I don’t think another actor will match that performance for a while. However, he delivered an exceptional act that left an impact on me. Joaquin Phoenix has consistently given remarkable performances, but the initial Joker will always stand out. As for this film, the plot wasn’t as strong, but his acting was still top-notch. He never half-heartedly does a role.
This movie further demonstrates Lady Gaga’s versatile acting skills, which we’ve already witnessed in various films and TV productions. If you’re a fan of hers, there’s plenty more to enjoy, and this film is another compelling piece that highlights her talent. Despite the fact that her character was somewhat underdeveloped in this production, it’s beneficial for her career growth to display her acting range.
And I Actually Enjoyed The Musical Aspect
I don’t care what any of you say, I liked the musical aspect.
To clarify, it’s not just that I appreciate musicals; rather, I am deeply fond of contemporary musical productions. In fact, I can recite lines from the 2021 West Side Story cast verbatim, and yes, I am one of those people. Initially, when I learned this was going to be a musical, I must admit I shared your skepticism about how it would fit with the theme.
To be completely honest, it did. Some may argue about the musical selections, but they align perfectly with the storyline’s progression. Initially, Arthur wasn’t singing, but as soon as he encounters Lee and begins to slip back into his delusion of The Joker, that’s when the music kicks in.
It seems like every tune he belts out is a tribute to their relationship, and it’s true for her as well. As their bond deepens and they both invest more into this Joker character, the size of his musical performances escalates. At times, they’re just serenading each other, while at others, their minds become elaborate stages for grandiose Broadway-style fantasies.
The Inclusion Of Him Stopping His Music Towards The End Was A Great Decision Too
There has been much discussion surrounding the ending of “Joker 2”, and I must admit, I’m not particularly fond of it myself. However, I do concur that the way they handled the musical element was well-executed.
When Arthur acknowledges his guilt for the lives he’s taken, it becomes clear that it wasn’t really the Joker who did those actions; the joyous music within him ceases to play. From then on, there are no more instances of happiness, nothing that aligns with this chaotic character known as The Joker. This transformation is evident in his actions at the bombing and when he encounters Lee again.
Lee desired him solely for the Joker illusion, the fantasy of the man who avenged bullies and championed society’s marginalized. She never sought Arthur; he was never her choice. As she persists with her singing, he implores her to cease, admitting his dislike for continuing, but she remains undeterred.
It’s the perfect way to signal that she never truly wanted to be with him – she just wanted the symbol he could be, and he never was that. Not really.
That Being Said, I’m Glad There Probably Won’t Be Anymore Joker Movies After This
Given my current understanding, if I were given the opportunity to travel back in time and prevent Todd Phillips from turning it into a musical, would I seize that chance?
Eh, I really don’t know.
To clarify, as mentioned earlier, I was an admirer of the initial movie; however, it’s important to note that I’ve never been part of the intended audience for this particular sequel, a fact that has been evident from its reception. Regardless, I appreciate diverse films and am always open to giving new ones a try. The musical elements were enjoyable, but there were several aspects in this film that didn’t resonate with me.
Consider the intended audience, who are not typically fond of musicals and have been eagerly anticipating a compelling sequel to the familiar tale we’re all attached to. I must admit, I would share their frustration, and this seems like a fitting way for the Joker, or at least his portrayal in this case, to depart.
Goodness gracious, did Arthur truly become The Joker following that finale? I’m not certain. But his peculiar Southern drawl might as well be silenced along with him. Regardless, I’m rather relieved that we probably won’t see any more Joker movies after this one because it was simply… extraordinary. Perhaps James Gunn will come up with a superior adaptation for the DC Universe (preferably not featuring Jared Leto).
As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but share my thoughts on the musical side of “Joker: Folie à Deux”. Lady Gaga’s vocal performance was spot-on, and I found myself yearning for more to sustain me throughout those two hours, truly!
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2024-10-11 04:07