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- The Joker Didn’t Need a Sequel
- The Joke That Killed the Joker Sequel
- Joker 2 Is a Box Office Disappointment
As a film enthusiast with over 30 years of experience under my belt, I must say that Joker: Folie à Deux left me scratching my head more than once. After the masterful storytelling and character development in the first film, this sequel felt like a jarring departure that missed the mark.
caution: Contains spoilers for Joker: Folie à Deux
Enthusiasts were overjoyed when it was announced that a follow-up to the much-praised movie was in production. The anticipation was immense, as everyone pondered whether Phillips could replicate his previous success with this new installment. Regrettably, he fell short of expectations, and instead of building upon his initial masterpiece, he unintentionally tarnished it with the debut of Joker: Folie à Deux. This decision to veer off course led to creative choices that left fans feeling disconnected from the first film, ultimately resulting in a significant loss for Phillips.
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The Joker Didn’t Need a Sequel
2019’s movie stood out due to its independent and compelling storyline, crafted skillfully by Phillips. This narrative didn’t need to expand into a vast interconnected universe; instead, it successfully told a standalone tale. By the end of the film, Arthur Fleck had fully morphed into the iconic character, Joker, offering us his origin. The vision for this movie, as envisioned by Phillips, was complete and self-contained.
As a devoted cinephile, I found the unique, standalone nature of “Joker” truly captivating. For those encountering the Joker for the first time, this movie wasn’t entangled in the DC universe, making it a fresh introduction to the Clown Prince of Crime. For long-time DC fans, it presented another chance to witness the chaos embodied by this iconic villain up close. The film’s raw realism set it apart from typical superhero flicks and their familiar creation formulas. However, Todd Phillips failed to leverage what made his original work shine – its singularity.
The Joke That Killed the Joker Sequel
At the movie’s end, did anyone find it amusing? Be warned: spoilers follow. Towards the climax, Arthur Fleck abandons his Joker character and expresses regret for his past deeds. This leads his followers, including Lady Gaga’s character Lee, to abandon him. After a trial, the film concludes with an inmate sharing a joke reminiscent of one from the first movie. Unfortunate events follow as Fleck is brutally stabbed and left to bleed out, while laughter echoes in the background. The inmate, now unclear in focus, carves a grin on Fleck’s face using the same knife. With Arthur Fleck’s demise, the Joker emerges into existence.
Regardless of whether Phillips meant the finale to imply society is like the Joker or not, the conclusion undermined everything built in the initial movie. Numerous viewers believed that Phillips opted for this artistic decision solely for sensational reasons and lacked a clear vision for the film. It appeared as if Phillips was uncertain about where to steer the movie following the success of the first installment and its self-contained nature.
Joker 2 Is a Box Office Disappointment
Regardless of the positive reviews for Phoenix and Gaga’s performances, the movie only made $40 million at the box office, a significantly smaller amount compared to its predecessor’s earnings of $1 billion. It was suggested that the complex plotline and execution ended up costing the film and director, Phillips, quite a bit of money, with estimates ranging from less than $200 million to as much as $190 million for production costs.
In the sequel to Joker, titled Joker 2, there seemed to be a cost for not continuing Arthur Fleck’s tale after his transformation into the iconic character. Director Todd Phillips attempted to develop Fleck’s character and the plot line in ways that diverged from the dark, gritty tone set in the first movie. This shift left fans of the original film feeling perplexed by the inconsistencies in the sequel, as they had anticipated a unique blend of music and chilling realism to drive the narrative. As of now, Joker: Folie à Deux is showing in cinemas.
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2024-10-08 06:01