One false impression individuals might have about me is that I like comedian guide films as a style, however the fact is, it actually needs to be the proper comedian guide film for me to be totally engaged.
Like, in terms of films just like the Captain America trilogy, then yeah, signal me up. In reality, I like many of the films within the MCU, and I’m trying ahead to all of the upcoming Marvel films. Nonetheless, one factor that irks me in regards to the MCU is that it often performs it protected, which is why I believe most individuals prefer it. That’s why when it takes actual dangers like Eternals (which is my favourite MCU movie, by the best way), individuals usually name it “the worst” Marvel film.
Properly, I’ve seen one thing comparable in terms of the response to Joker: Folie à Deux, which is the sequel to the breakout DC film, Joker. However, whereas I didn’t discover something particular in regards to the first movie (aside from the truth that it was nominated for Greatest Image), I actually loved its sequel, which has been getting bashed all yr. Does that make me loopy? Perhaps. In all probability, even. However let me clarify why I appreciated all of it the identical.
Not like The First Film, Joker: Folie A Deux Took Some Actual Dangers
I simply talked about how I wasn’t impressed by Joker, as a result of it wasn’t very spectacular. You understand how lots of people like to check the primary Avatar with Ferngully, and Dances With Wolves? Properly, comparable accusations have been leveled towards the primary Joker film of it simply being a mixture of two of Scorsese’s greatest films, these being Taxi Driver, and The King of Comedy. And sure, the comparisons are definitely apt.
In that means, I used to be bored after I watched Joker because it had a really been-there-watched-that high quality to it, nevertheless it was additionally vastly inferior to these aforementioned movies. Nonetheless, I’ve by no means seen a comic book guide film like Joker: Folie à Deux earlier than. It took some actual dangers, for higher or for worse.
Once I initially heard that it was going to be a musical, I truthfully thought it was going to be a “catastrophe”, similar to most individuals. However, in contrast to most individuals (and I’m simply going off of the loud complaints I’ve heard in regards to the movie all yr), I really actually loved it.
All the main emotional moments are proven through musical numbers, and I used to be actually impressed by how they went about doing this. For instance, in a single scene, Arthur Fleck is watching a film beside Woman Gaga’s character, Lee Quinzel, and he or she finally ends up setting hearth to the entire constructing. That in itself is an arresting scene, however when paired with music, it actually makes it unforgettable for me.
The entire film is constructed upon moments like these. So, whereas I gained’t say that I loved the film in its entirety, I’ll say that I loved my time with it much more than I did with the primary film, which I didn’t actually take pleasure in in any respect.
I Like Musicals A Lot Extra Than I Like Comedian Guide Motion pictures, And Joker: Folie A Deux Feels Extra Like The Former Quite Than The Latter
One more reason why I favor Folie à Deux to the primary film is as a result of I like musicals much more than I like comedian guide movies. Now, I’m certain anyone who is aware of me personally would scoff at that notion, given what number of comedian guide films I’ve watched (and compelled different individuals to observe) in my lifetime, nevertheless it’s true.
I’d genuinely moderately watch any of the musicals which have gained Greatest Image over just about any comedian guide film ever made (apart from possibly Dredd, which is my favourite comedian guide film ever).
However, I simply love musicals. If it’s a superb one (and there are lots of unhealthy ones, I’ll admit), then I fall head over heels for it. For instance, I’ve seen lots of films this yr, however I don’t suppose something goes to high Depraved, which I appreciated even higher as a film than I did as a Broadway present.
It simply has every thing I might ever need in a film musical – the large moments, the fantastic costumes, the songs, simply every thing! A lot so, that if a large comedian guide film like Avengers: Endgame had come out this yr, I’d nonetheless 100% select Depraved over it. I’m useless severe.
So, when provided the choice to observe a musical comedian guide film over one which simply performs it protected like the unique Joker, then I’m seemingly choosing the musical. However, probably the most attention-grabbing factor about Folie à Deux for me isn’t even the truth that it’s a musical in any respect. It’s really my subsequent level.
In Reality, I Like That Joker: Folie A Deux Does not Appear Involved With Being Primarily based On A Comedian Guide Character At All
Like lots of people, I actually beloved the current HBO present, The Penguin (though I HATE Oz Cobb as a personality), and the rationale I beloved it a lot is as a result of it appeared prefer it was extra desirous about telling a superb character story moderately than telling a superb comedian guide story.
I believe the identical may very well be mentioned about Folie à Deux. As a result of whereas sure, this film wants the primary film’s story to even exist, I truthfully don’t suppose it’s all that involved about what occurred within the first movie, neither is it involved about being a comic book guide film basically.
On this means, I perceive why most individuals despised this film. Folks went into it considering they have been going to get a sequel that was at the least considerably comparable in tone to the primary movie, however what they obtained as a substitute was Joaquin Phoenix singing, “For As soon as in My Life.”
That mentioned, I really suppose we’re getting a greater look into Joker’s psyche with him singing his coronary heart out than I believe we obtained with him taking pictures Robert De Niro’s character within the first film. Being a musical, it is a film that’s extra within the feelings of the characters moderately than showcasing something “cool” or “edgy.” Arthur Fleck is a conflicted character in that he’s each enamored by his newfound movie star, but additionally confused by it, and lots of the songs mirror these emotions.
It is a movie that truthfully feels extra like an indie comedian guide film moderately than the monstrously budgeted tentpole movie (which flopped!) that we obtained, however I truthfully admire it for that purpose. It was good.
I Additionally Assume Woman Gaga Provides A Spark That Wasn’t Current In The First Film
One other side of the primary film that left me underwhelmed was the performances. Sure, I do know Joaquin Phoenix gained an Oscar for his position because the Joker, and sure, I do know lots of people think about him to be probably the greatest Jokers of all time (although, for my cash, I might think about Jack Nicholson to be the cream of the crop), however I’ve simply by no means been impressed.
And, I am nonetheless not all that impressed with Phoenix because the Joker, both. I do like him as a singer, however he proved he might sing way back in Stroll the Line.
That mentioned, Woman Gaga affords a dynamite efficiency, and is the true spark of this movie.
Each second she’s on the display screen is the most effective second within the film, and I actually simply wished to see extra of her than anyone else. Within the movie, she performs an obsessed girl who’s head over heels in love with the concept of the Joker. She doesn’t actually care about Arthur Fleck as an individual, and even brings make-up for him to placed on earlier than they’ll really get it on in her conjugal go to to see him.
She can be a conflicted character, however for a unique purpose. In lots of methods, she’s a stand-in for all the mentally disturbed individuals who fall in love with murderers. She has a continuing closeness with demise (an infatuation, even), and we see this (and extra importantly hear this) in her varied musical numbers the place her voice tells a lot of her story. Truthfully, I’d moderately simply have this movie targeted on Woman Gaga moderately than Phoenix’s Joker-persona. She was the most effective a part of the entire film.
Are you additionally courageous sufficient to confess that you just loved Joker: Folie à Deux?