Joker is a origin story of how Arthur Fleck became the Clown Prince of Crime in Gotham City. Since the opening weekend, Joker has grossed $939.8 million with mixed reviews from comic fans and movie critics like Rotten Tomatoes, who dropped their score for this film since the pre screening review. Despite the mixed reviews, Joker is the #1 rated R movie of all cinematic history. The dark tone was believed to incite violence to the audience as it did in The Dark Knight and fans wondered if Joaquin Phoenix could portray the iconic villain in a way we haven’t seen before.
This story takes place right before the infrastructure collapse of Gotham City. Arthur is among the lower class of Gotham City, living in the projects with his mother and working as a clown, either for party entertainment or street advertising. Arthur suffers from a mental disorder that causes him to laugh hysterical, especially during times of stress, nervousness and anger. Arthur is provided with heavy medication by social services, who is soon be shut down. Despite his hardships, Arthur inspires to become a stand up comedian, take care of his mother and be respected by others.
Despite his efforts for a peaceful life, Arthur was always physical or verbally attacked by people that didn’t understand his mental condition. This movie displayed the underlying tension between the upper and lower class of Gotham City, especially after the deaths of three Wayne employees by Arthur’s hand. Slowly Arthur began losing his sanity, losing his sense of right and wrong, as his personal life began to crumble before him. Arthur began to embrace the attention he received after committing his crimes, believing that crime and chaos would break the spirit of the upper class citizens in Gotham.
The cinematic version of the Joker began with Jack Nicholson in the 1989 film of the Batman. Nicholson’s Joker was more of a prankster than a homicidal maniac. Like the comics, Jack’s Joker became disfigured by falling in a vat of chemicals, turning his skin ghost white and his hair emerald green. This Joker is very similar to the Joker in cartoon series. Heath Ledger was next to portray the villainous character in The Dark Knight. Comic fans have voted that Heath was the best Joker because of how he bent Gotham’s underworld to his will. Heath’s Joker was less focused on prankster antics and more on domination. Suicide Squad brought in the next Joker with Jared Leto. This story of the Joker was about how his relationship began with Harley Quinn. As we seen in the comics and cartoons, Joker treats Harley with kindness and disrespect at the same time. The hoodlum, gangstar look for Joker, with the tattoos and platinum grills, had a disconnect with comic fans. The Joker displayed by Joaquin made the audience sympathize with how the character came to be. Through this story of the Joker, he would seem to be a symbol to the impoverished people of society. Who do you think was the best Joker so far in the cinematic universe?
This film incorporated events that led up to the deaths of Thomas and Martha Wayne. In all previous versions of the story, The Waynes are leaving the theatre out the side exit leading to a dark alley. What is confusing is why would they leave out the theatre in that direction? Why wasn’t Alfred out front waiting to usher the family in their vehicle? This movie gave a different perspective on that night; riots in the street is what forced the Waynes to run for cover in the alley, only to be spotted by a clown protestor who has a grudge with Thomas Wayne. Ben Affleck retired his role as Batman, moving the position to Robert Pattinson of the Twilight series. Will DC’s cinematic universe keep Joaquin as The Joker so he can face off against the new Batman?
Zoë Kravitz has been announced as the actress to play Catwoman in the upcoming Batman film with Robert Pattinson. Zoë is no stranger to the silver screen, especially in the comic book category. Joe played Angel Salvadore: in X-Men: First Class, was the voice over in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse as Mary Jane and the voice for Catwoman in the Lego Batman movie. If DC Comics decide to bring these actors together in the new Batman storyline, will they be able to beat out there predecessors and become the new fan favorites? Comic Multiverse has rated this movie 9 out of 10. What is your rating for this film and do you think the Batman Universe will ever be secure will the continual changes in character portrayal? Leave your comments below!!
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