My Review of JOKER · 10:25pm Dec 30th, 2020
Rating Scale:
12/10—a complete masterpiece; flawless and outstanding
11/10—Excellent, near-perfect film
10/10—the standard rating; awesome film with a couple of flaws
9/10—a wonderful film with several flaws
8/10–a great film with numerous flaws but not enough to ruin it
7/10—a fun and entertaining movie; not great but still enjoyable
6/10—a slightly above average film; it is something I might watch again
5/10—mediocre movie; not awful but not great either
4/10—a below average film; it could have been much better
3/10—a bad film; poorly written and poorly executed
2/10—a very bad movie; the few good things in the movie overshadowed by the bad things
1/10—a terrible movie; a total waste of time
0/10—a worthless piece of abomination; should have never been made
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Well... here it is at last. ScorchingFlamesInc asked twice if I can review this film. Here you go, buddy. I hope you will enjoy this. This movie is just... wow. I was honestly at a loss for words the first time I watched it. I am not even sure if I can review this properly. It’s probably why I haven’t reviewed this until now. I was initially hesitant to watch it until I had to muster the will to see it for myself. So... I don’t know what to say after watching it.
1). Joaquin Phoenix was surprisingly great as Arthur Fleck. His performance as Joker however was... just good. I’m using that word very loosely because I’m just not in favor of this version of my favorite villain of all time. The Joker is supposed to be a criminal mastermind psychopath who spreads chaos like a wildfire without a care in the world. This Joker is fairly passable at best. Although he doesn’t display that manipulative intelligence whenever his Joker persona is on screen, he did spread at least some form of chaos by inspiring those clown protesters to cause riots in Gotham against what they saw was corruption and oppression. His ill mentality was spot on, his laughing condition felt real, and the way people treated him was written very realistically.
He definitely has some Joker traits, but it is not shown in a way that reminds me of Mark Hamill’s Joker. However, he is in some ways a nod to Heath Ledger’s Joker. Honestly, both of them are unique in their own ways and are... legendary. Therefore, comparisons are not necessary. People need to be reminded of that. Still, Phoenix’s Joker is not my cup of tea; I much prefer Heath’s Joker. But in all honesty, if Ledger were still alive today, he would be very proud of Joaquin Phoenix’s acting performance and support him in every way.
2). The acting was well done, the cinematography was excellent, the casting was great, and the soundtrack was great. Plus, the pacing is really good and well directed. It doesn’t drag too long, and the film does a good job having scenes that are straightforward.
3). The awkwardness with Arthur was killing me. Whenever he had a heavily awkward moment like that comedy stand scene, I cringed so hard I had to pause the movie. Seriously, I really hate awkward moments in TV shows and movies. It is really, really hard to watch and sit through.
4). Robert De Niro did a good job as well. He wasn’t bad as Murray Franklin although I really didn’t like how he humiliated Fleck on live television. That was just a death sentence on his part after he did that. Speaking of which, is it bad that I was cheering for Joker to kill those Wayne employees for being douchebags to him and harming him? It was clearly self-defense until it became murder with the third guy. Still, it was satisfying for him to give them a taste of their own medicine.
5). The movie does a great job showing us how corrupted society can be and how many people can treat others who are different from them in many ways. It’s almost like seeing yourself in a mirror depending on how you treated others which the film reflects on.
4). The most iconic scene for me is when Joker reveals his true colors and says his memorable line to Murray:
How about another joke, Murray?
What do you get... when you cross a mentally ill loner from a society who abandons him and treats him like trash?! I’ll tell you what you get! You get what you fucking deserve!! (BOOM)
There is a video on YouTube that has this scene with The Dark Knight Joker theme playing in the background.
This is more chilling than the original one. Hope you guys enjoy it.
5). Lastly, I am not a fan of R-rated films. However, since this has Joker in it, I will make it as an exception although I had to look away from some of the more violent scenes. The movie is just... astonishing, jaw-dropping, groundbreaking, and very thought-provoking. It’s not a masterpiece, but it is definitely a movie with an interesting backstory for this version of Joker and with a great story in general. Phoenix did an exceptional job as the main character, and it is just as legendary as The Dark Knight. I wasn’t sure if I could rate it, but after thinking hard about it... I’ll give it an 8/10.
That’s... all I have to say about it.
I remember going to see this in theaters with a pal last year, and I enjoyed it. Considering that the Joker persona wasn’t exactly like what it was, there is always the possibility that the Joker we see isn’t the Joker that becomes Batman’s enemy, considering Fleck’s age (appears to be 40s) and Bruce’s age (likely hasn’t reached puberty yet). There’s always the chance that Fleck got a successor, or there was someone who really wanted to go all-out and continue his work.
You also have to admire that they went more fact than fiction, and even made the whole atmosphere so dreary unlike what we got in other movies, where it’s obvious, but not as occurring.
5425146
That’s exactly what many people including myself are theorizing. If this movie gets a sequel, we might see that happen.
5425169
Exactly!
Even though I won’t be watching this film any time soon, I’ve recently grown interested in seeing Joaquin Phoenix’s version of the Joker somehow wind up in the universe of Ben Affleck’s Batman. Mainly because I think it would give Phoenix a chance to showcase his portrayal to more than just adults and since lots of superhero movies are tackling the multiverse now. It would also be really cool to see the two versions of each individual character in a face off.
5622192
Late reply, I know, but is this because you don't want to see the violence and hear the profanity? This is a rated R movie.
5625957
Not exactly.
Most of my family members insisted in the past that I shouldn't see it, and considering the fact that I'm currently living with my parents...well, I likely won't see it until I leave the house for a place of my own someday. I think I'd honestly be more comfortable seeing the movie when that time comes, really.
5625972
Oh.... I understand that.