“Joker” - the first film

[Orangesandlemons4]

So I keep seeing adverts / press / promotions for the Joker 2 film which is being released this Friday I believe in the UK.

This led me to research into the original Joker film. I thought that this was something to do with Heath Ledger and the Dark Knight film, but alas turns out it is not and completely different, and was released in 2019!

I’ve just watched the trailer for the first Joker film and it looks good. I am tempted to watch it on Prime / Apple TV tonight to see if I like it and then join in with the hype for the second film.

However, what’s it like? Is it scary? Worth watching? I’d be watching by myself and I also live by myself so don’t want to scare myself!!

I won’t say too much as I don’t want to give any spoilers. But it was a completely different vibe to the first one. And I want to add that I went into it really open minded about the musical thing! And for the first couple of songs I thought it could be okay and maybe it would work. The whole of the start seemed like it could develop into a really good story. Then it just went on and on with barely any plot or storyline. The songs became tiresome and dull and it just didn’t seem to fit! Plus they made Arthur’s character very different to the first movie (in a very rubbish way!!). I won’t say why because again, I don’t want to spoil anything. It felt like it didn’t go anywhere and was just plain disappointing!! I don’t dislike Gaga either but I don’t think she added anything positive to the film. Not how I imagine Harley Quinn to be.

I will now scrap it from my memory and go back to enjoying the first movie!

Thank you. This is what I was hoping it wouldn’t be! I’ll probably give seeing it at the cinema a miss!

I was planning on seeing it tonight but based on reviews I think I will pass. Such a shame they couldn't do a better job with Joker being such an interesting character. Maybe once he has 'gone mad' and transforms from Arthur to Joker there wasn't much room left to take it?

A lot of the complaints are that there wasn’t enough ‘Joker’ in the new movie. Arthur was interesting in the first movie because he had this sad, pathetic life (in his eyes), then his transformation won him lots of adoration. In this movie they just made him seem sad and pathetic. It almost felt like a dig at all the people who would dare to think that Joker was cool and cheered him on! (I mean, I know he was a murderer, but it was just a movie, not real life!)

I think they’ve missed a trick with this as they could have really developed his journey in a different way from other comic book films and it likely would have been a success. I also think any films with Harley and the Joker in never seem to develop or spend much time on their love story. It would be a refreshing break from (yes I’m biased because I’ve grown to hate them 😂) the usual Marvel type shite that’s churned out for money instead of decent storylines.

I loved Joker watched it at the cinema in 2019 felt it quite exhilarating and sad. But I couldn't put myself through his pain again.
Been to see the new Joker tonight. Just absolutely effing immense that's my review. Go and watch it.
Joaquin Phoenix is a master of his art and a wonderful human.

The new one is a musical? Nooooo! I fucking hate musicals!

I just felt the musical part enhanced the insanity.

It's really disappointing. Massively overhyped. It's just a very crude portrayal of mental illness. The character is annoying rather than sinister.

Apparently the new one is dreadful, and it's a musical / courtroom drama with lady gaga. 🤣

Very disturbing I thought.

I thought it was a remarkable film. JP's Oscar was very well deserved. It is disturbing but I felt some sympathy for his character though his actions were horrific.
It's definitely in my top 3 favourite films.

I remember in 2019 watching Joker and feeling like it was a bit of an uprising against the way the Trump Presidency had made the US feel.
I watched some outtakes last night I had totally forgotten Robert de Niro was in it.

I do. I really really hate when characters burst into song.
But know some love it so..

So I went.. and yes I still don't like musicals.. but I loved it! You have to judge for yourself

Vue is £4.99 here, so I might chance it.

This with a burst of song.

@Luddite26 Eh? 😆

@XenoBitch Do it. I thought the story followed on really well, and the non singing bits were dark and brilliant like in the first film.
And I ended up letting them off for the singing parts.. because it tied in with him living a fantasy in his head a lot of the time. Thinking he's performing when he's not. But mainly it was so good to see Joaquin doing what he's good at 🖤

I meant This with bells on.
But thought burst of song like the film. Think I'm a bit too in it still.
Glad you liked it though - I agree with you exactly .

Ah I getcha! 🤣 Glad you liked it too, the person I saw it with hated it so shows how different we all are. But then she wasn't enamoured with the first one either.

I love musicals but cos I didn’t enjoy the first film, I’m gonna wait till it’s on free streaming to try the second. My dh is really disappointed. He doesn’t like musicals and he was really looking forward to this

I liked it, I have it on DVD which I received as a present when it came out.

I watched about half an hour of it and just thought it was miserable and tedious. Might force myself to see if it gets any better though as it can't get any worse. Not big on silly super hero films though so that probably doesn't help.

You could have watched it for free on ITVx. (ITV's streaming service) You just have to put up with a few ads, or you can subscribe to the Premium version which removes them, it's a lot cheaper to subscribe to than Prime, Netflix, Apple and Disney.

I thought the first film was great and I understand that Joachim Phoenix got an award for it, he's a really good actor. DH wants to see Joker 2 so we are going in a few days. I don't think he realises it's kind of a musical, so I will keep that from him as a surprise! .

As an aside, does anyone remember Parenthood with Steve Martin in the 80s? Great film but did you know Joaquin plays the moody teen, Garry?

I thought it was a brilliant film. Joaquin Phoenix was superb. I haven't seen the second one yet.