When I first heard there was possibly three Joker movies coming out in the future, I was a little dismayed. I mean, who needs that many movies about one character, especially if there is no Batman in the film?
I know many of you will dismiss this since it is DC, but I think that might be a mistake. This looks interesting. Joaquin Phoenix is a fantastic actor and he can pull off this role. Especially since it looks like they are going a different route. An origin story, but this looks a bit different than what we have seen before.
Did you notice that his name is Arthur Fleck? Did anyone catch that little joke? A.Fleck? As in a play on Ben Affleck’s name? That cannot be a coincidence.
The movie is set in the 1980s, we get to see Thomas Wayne and it looks like Arthur will meet a young Bruce. Also, can we talk about how people in the 1980s just randomly beat up clowns on the street? I think that is fairly accurate of most cities during that era. It was tough being a clown back then.
I just wonder if this movie will make the Joker too sympathetic. Will we feel bad for Arthur to the point where we almost empathize with him? As he goes on a murderous rampage, will we totally understand his reasons? I hope not. I hope that during his breakdown, he does something that is totally unacceptable. We need to know that the Joker is a monster.
I always think of the one Christmas time comic, where Joker kidnaps Robin and travels around Gotham doing insane things while Robin is forced to watch. I think at one point he stops at a drive-thru and orders food, then he pulls a gun and shoots the person working. Just pure chaos. No reason for the crime. You cannot be on that guy’s side as a reader.
I am happy that DC has decided to focus on the movies and not worry too much about the DCEU. Who cares if they are connected, just make a good movie. I am interested to see if Todd Phillips (The Hangover, Old School, and other comedies) can direct a darker movie that has some odd humor to it. I will definitely give this one a chance.
