Why fans are hating Joker: Folie à Deux (but loving The Penguin series on HBO)

As a lifelong fan of Batman and his intriguing rogues gallery, I must say that both “Joker: Folie à Deux” and “The Penguin” have certainly piqued my interest. However, if I were to pick a favorite, it would be “The Penguin.

The movie titled “Joker: Folie à Deux” is currently playing in cinemas, but it seems to be receiving negative feedback online. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 34% rotten rating from critics and 39% from audiences. In comparison to the original “Joker” movie released in 2019, preview screenings have only managed to make about half as much money. The first film was well-received by both critics and audiences, making over a billion dollars at the box office.

The latest film doesn’t live up to its predecessor because it lacks focus and coherence. It attempts to blend various genres such as a love story, prison drama, courtroom drama, action sequences, and even musical numbers. However, the transition between these different elements feels abrupt, making the movie seem disjointed at times. Additionally, some viewers have expressed dislike for the musical aspect of the film, with one critic summarizing their opinion as “I hate musicals.

In simpler terms, “Folie à Deux” sometimes achieves its goals, yet the outcome is inconsistent, leading to an unbalanced viewing experience. However, what truly upset many viewers was how the film handled its main character. Unlike 2019’s “Joker,” where Joaquin Phoenix’s character, Arthur Fleck, transformed from a troubled individual to a gleeful instigator of disorder, prompting audiences to join in his madness, “Folie à Deux” portrays him as a pitiful loser once more. Unlike the first movie, this time the film doesn’t rebuild the character into the Joker; instead, it leaves him in that state.

The sequel to “Joker: Folie à Deux” appears to focus less on advancing the storyline from the original film, opting instead to reintroduce characters and replay past events through Arthur Fleck’s memories. This approach might leave many viewers feeling unsatisfied, as they expected to witness the Joker’s future actions rather than his regression. Additionally, the inclusion of Joaquin Phoenix’s raw singing only added to the overall discontent.

Simultaneously, I acknowledge director Todd Phillips for venturing off the beaten path. Instead of delivering a narrative about the Joker gaining power and causing mayhem, which was desired and anticipated, he presented a tale of a mentally ill individual spiraling inward. In a way, it feels like he’s returning the audience’s expectations to them. IndieWire described the film as “blockbuster movie-making as a form of collective retribution.

While I can understand if someone left the movie feeling frustrated, as it’s not unreasonable to expect a blockbuster to provide entertainment. However, it seems that “Joker: Folie à Deux” wasn’t particularly focused on providing that entertainment. If this film weren’t a spin-off of Batman, if it didn’t feature a renowned character with preconceived notions, if its budget wasn’t $200 million, “Folie à Deux” might be viewed as an intriguing cinematic exploration, attempting to provoke audiences to reconsider their reactions from the first movie. Why were we so captivated by Arthur’s violent acts in the initial film? Isn’t he receiving his due punishment now? Are we as a society more inclined towards violence than we care to admit?

This film isn’t just a Batman spin-off; it features a renowned character, and its production budget was a whopping $200 million. Therefore, let’s drop the wit and get down to business: It’s a significant movie with substantial backing.

Why fans are hating Joker: Folie à Deux (but loving The Penguin series on HBO)

Joker: Folie à Deux vs The Penguin

In a few years, I believe “Folie à Deux” might be reevaluated, moving past the initial surprise and disappointment many felt when it deviated so dramatically from what was anticipated. The current wave of critical backlash seems more like a bandwagon effect rather than an objective appraisal of the film’s qualities and flaws. “Folie à Deux” didn’t quite meet the expectations set by fans of the first movie or Batman as a whole, but I admire its boldness in taking such a daring approach. And even if it didn’t fully succeed in navigating these high expectations, the cinematography by Lawrence Sher is undeniably stunningly beautiful.

It turns out that another Batman spinoff, currently captivating audiences more than expected, is called “The Penguin” and is airing on HBO and Max. The Penguin shares some similarities with the upcoming Joker sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, but the differences make it intriguing. Both series feature remarkable performances from lead actors portraying Batman villains – Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker and Colin Farrell as the Penguin. They are set in the universe of Batman but seem self-conscious about this fact. Interestingly enough, neither project features Batman himself, and both adapt character names to sound less outlandish: Harleen Quinzel becomes Lee Quinzel in Folie à Deux, while Oswald Cobblepot is renamed Oswald Cobb in The Penguin. As producer Dylan Clark stated, “That small change of the name allowed us to approach this character in a more realistic way.

In essence, both “Folie à Deux” and “The Penguin” aim to distance themselves from the lightheartedness often associated with comic book adaptations, instead offering a more serious narrative. However, while “Folie à Deux” strays far from the traditional superhero mold, “The Penguin” remains within its confines, making it a dramatic comic book series, albeit still rooted in the comic book genre. In this aspect, “The Penguin” is similar to the first “Joker” movie, which blended elements of classic Martin Scorsese films like “Taxi Driver” and “The King of Comedy,” but with a “Batman” twist. Similarly, “The Penguin” takes heavy inspiration from HBO’s influential mafia drama “The Sopranos,” but it’s set in Gotham City instead of New Jersey.

In the past, you could craft unique narratives such as “Taxi Driver” and “The Sopranos,” and there was a good chance of finding an engaged audience. Today, if you wish to delve into complex topics like these, it’s beneficial to be connected to a well-known franchise. So, Batman becomes your chosen platform. It seems that Todd Phillips, the director of “Joker,” is expressing dissent in this regard with his upcoming film “Folie à Deux.” He has messages he wishes to convey about the media, corruption, the justice system, celebrity, but all people seem to care about is launching the Joker’s next escapade. Well, if that’s what they want, he’ll give them a movie they won’t anticipate.

That feels like a selfish approach to filmmaking; if the movie cost $200 million to make, I expect it to prioritize entertaining an audience. But there’s also something charmingly punk rock about that approach; at least it’s bold and memorable. But I also understand why it could be a let-down. The Penguin is bold too, but never so much that it loses its audience. It’s a better viewing experience than Folie à Deux, but not more daring.

I value the unique perspectives these two projects offer. For over a decade, we’ve been inundated with superhero movies and TV shows, but The Penguin and Joker: Folie à Deux manage to keep the conversation going. In art, mediocrity is often overshadowed not by greatness, but by boredom. However, I am anything but bored with what DC is presenting on my screen, making it worth more than just a little.

2024-10-05 16:41

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Why fans are hating Joker: Folie à Deux (but loving The Penguin series on HBO)

Joker: Folie à Deux vs The Penguin

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