Your thoughts on the movie "Joker' (2019)?

[BronzedAdonis]

I haven't seen it but just bought the Blu-ray. For those who've seen it what were your thoughts?

[AmandaYVR]

Hmmm. Most people don't ask others a lot of details about a movie which they themselves plan to see soon, so I'm wondering how much is too much, and if you're concerned about spoilers. Cause I can talk about movies all day.

The Joker is not a movie I particularly planned to see. I keep an eye on what is being produced and released, and I have watched a lot of interviews over a lifetime and happen across movie reviews pretty regularly, so I knew what to expect with this. It also made it into the news, the non-entertainment news. My husband was interested in it so when he put it on about a week ago, for me it was background but not the going to be the centre of my focus, so I thought. But from the first frame, I really couldn't take my eyes off of it.

I've seen plenty of superhero movies but I'm completely done with them now. After more than a decade of total market saturation on this genre, for me they're totally played out, and I could care less, even if they do add 'real life' themes to these fantastical situations. The Joker is not one of those movies. You do not have to have much context to refer back to, to understand this movie or character. For me, it was a concept that stands capably... separately, I will call it, from the rest of the franchise.

Joker 2 is in the planning stages but they don't yet know who will play the lead, though it will not be Joaquin. He was only interested in doing the one character study. And that makes sense to me. Joaquin is a true character and method actor. He loathes to be referred to as that, but his style and method of performing are extremely immersive and intense, and does not lean itself to being covered up in a suit and tonnes of CGI. He lost something like 46 lb for this role and believe me, you're going to see it. Gollum, anyone? Also, in real life he has a painful issue with his shoulder, and while normally trying to correct and compensate for this on film, here he played into it, exaggerated it. His physicality is exquisite. His entire being is transformed into this man, and he did it with every ounce of himself. It would be inaccurate for anyone to criticize his performance here. (See his scene, alone, in the public restroom - choreography created entirely by Joaquin, with no direction or pre-planning. This was my favourite of the film.) And I tip my hat to Director Todd Phillips who had a masterful, deft hand at the helm. His past work is mostly comedy, but somebody obviously knew that he was capable of something completely different. And one must know, and push their own ego aside, and understand that you cannot wrangle Joaquin. To do that too much would stifle him, and then his focus and inspiration dries up and self-doubt overtakes him. Todd and Joaquin seem to have a magical alchemy together. (He's signed on to direct the next one. I think that's a good call. Consistency is important and I believe very much in singular visions.)

But what people are talking about is comparing Joaquin to the beloved Heath. Heath's depiction was also phenomenal, without question. I personally don't buy all of these reboots, and I would call it rehashing, retelling of the same essential story, which looks to me not just like a gift to the newest generation so that they can see it with fresh eyes and fx, but it's a bit [financially greedy of the studios?], to have all these different angles and actor takes of the same character. But, people love Batman, so here we are. But this time, it truly is close to being a standalone product, and it does a huge service to rounding out this character, showing his origin story.

cont'd...

Joaquin at his finest.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/BBY4zUFxUjA

My second favourite scene. (See my physicality comments above.)

https://www.youtube.com/embed/NgrM4_JMi9w

[AmandaYVR]

This is not so much the story of an evil genius or an arch nemesis or a psychopathic killer. It's a social commentary, completely apt for today's world, about a sad and disenfranchized man, who despite all efforts and optimism and desire for a normal life, and to be a good person and be recognized for that, it just doesn't happen for him. He is not the everyman, but he is not an uncommon man either. There are many men today who suffer from some of these same disadvantages. This movie is not a cautionary tale. There is likely little this character could have done to reverse his fortune or fate. It is almost like looking at a documentary, a 'what if', if at every turn the road diverged, he was struck unlucky. What leads to his ultimate downfall was not one thing, but many. A series of unfortunate events, perhaps. This film is impressive in its concept and execution. It is a movie mostly for men, about men, and what struggles they face. But I believe everyone over a certain age should watch it. You could screen this movie in a university class and have potentially hours of discussion about many social and economic issues facing people today.

[AmandaYVR]

True superhero genre enthusiasts may be impressed, but somewhat disappointed. This movie is here to make you think. It doesn't want you to rest easy. Dark, brooding, cynical only scratch the surface of what it is. Much of our entertainment today centres around the idea of anti-heroes. They are extremely popular now, particularly with males. It's not hard to decipher why. This film is sad, but important. It could have come in any recent decade (imagine it as the sub for De Niro's/Scorcese's 'Taxi Driver'), but it feels so exquisitely made for this time, it seems to slide in as if on a knife's edge. And a knife, not some other weapon, seems the only one appropriate. This movie cuts you. I don't think anyone who watches it could not be moved by it, or feel immense empathy for the plight of this man. It reminds you how many other men out there are walking on a knife's edge, and like the totem in 'Inception', you just wonder if and when it will stop spinning. This is not one man's problem, it's society's problem. And we need to make some changes. Major changes.

(P. S. I'm sorry this is so long.)

[SimpleRhubarb]

A good movie really affects me. I get so into them. This film did that.

I felt crazy. It was a different type of experience. Watched it three times. Definitely a favorite!!

[Jaximus-Lion]

Meh! Not my kinda cup of coffee. Sure Joker has some dramatic live to become what he is but the acting was not on that level to be this great as some claim. His laugh as a mental person, all the by him self dancing and cry-laughing, interacting with todays problems to show how much can effect a person, all that doesn't make me to be a clown that kills. They need to make a movie that is based on a comic character, not based on today's polotics problems.

[Jaximus-Lion]

I love the dislikes ❤️👎❤️

[Sonorous]

I thought it was a good movie. Not very surprising though because I knew what the outcome would be. And Joaquin did such a great job! I like his version of the Joker more than any other. But I think I'd like the film more if it were a part of a franchise rather than just a standalone film. Because I would definitely want to see more franchises with the direction that the film was going in.

[Jackelray]

It’s fine.
Visually it is very beautiful and well shot. The acting is top notch.
The script only the other hand is average at best, the movie doesn’t really have anything to say, which wouldn’t be a problem if it didn’t clearly think it had something to say.
It mentions things like mental health but does t actually have any real comment to make about it.
It is taking its structure form movies like Taxi Driver and King of Comedy but it doesn’t have anything new to say, nor is it as interesting as either of those films.
Worth a watch if you like cinematography or to see Phenoix do some good acting and dance and laugh for about 40mins if it’s run time 😂

in summery I enjoyed it, but it will not be a classic we remember.

[AllThatSweetJazz]

A little slow, but it's powerful and the ultimate payoff is fantastic. It's not really a 'classic superhero franchise' movie, it apparently wasn't originally written to be the joker, but the writer got rights to use the joker and it fits very well. It's a excellent alternative take on the joker character.
Best Joker since Heath Ledger.

[D2theB666]

It's a ride. You feel sorry for the absolute loser he is in the beginning. He's pathetic almost. Then he starts to slip & his descent into complete insanity begins...

This is why I still love the Batman universe as an adult. It's always dealt with very human ideas like mental health

[JimRSmith]

I watched it on the plane recently.

I thought it was a good film, and it explored some interesting themes, but I don't feel like I need to see it again, either.

[BronzedAdonis]

I get the feeling the movie resonates with a lot of guys on here...

[JimRSmith]

Right? That honestly would not surprise me one bit.

[cloud9vortex1234]

I rented it about a month ago and it was ok. I heard about some people getting up and walking out of the Cinema during the middle of the movie. I didn't think it was that bad. Overall, it was a Unique Film. Just don't expect it to top Heath Ledger or come close to it.

[ShortCircuit]

It was a good movie, stand-alone, but it wasn't... The Joker. It just wasn't him. Nobody will ever do it better than Heath Ledger.

[LordOfTheFries]

It feels pretty pretentious at times but it's a fantastic movie

[art84]

I rented it and was blown away by it. It really felt like you were watching someone who could just snap and go insane.

[Waffles731]

Its REALLY good, but I never want to see it again.

Its REALLY REALLY REALLY hard to watch

[TheFlak38]

Seen it three times so far. It's a masterpiece. The last 20 minutes are crazy.

[Dolemite510]

Pretty Good movie but not a “masterpiece” like some people have called it

[Anonymous]

Watch the last few minutes and you have the entire movie.

[ChiPaPa]

I loved it. His performance was amazing.

[Dragan]

Exhibitions without artistic value.

[monkeynutts]

Can't watch it, heath ain't in it.

[Lance1965]

I still need to see it.

[OfDeath]

It was pretty good. Sort of a tragedy melodrama.

[Fuentes]

Was good until the end

[Fuentes]

I mean it was not good til the end

[Plitty-Tank]

I have never watched it.

[CT_CD]

Haven't seen it