Joker 2 is a lot different from the original, and against the better wishes of the original Joker fans, completely addressed the issue that this wasn't for DCU fanbois but was a deep psychological film about being forced to be a character you don't want to be.
Todd Phillips is an established director, bringing us limitless, a star is born and the hangover trilogy.
The film was complex, and pulling off a psychologically dark thriller on the back drop of a jukebox musical is creatively genius.
In fact, psychology is often the elephant in the room, and in essence Joker 2 put the first film on trial in order to address a few issues.
- We didn't invest in Arthur we invested in the joker.
- Harley Quinn didn't invest in Arthur, she invested in his character. The Joker.
- Arthur Fleck was never truly the joker.
- The film explores being someone you don't want to be.
- The film explores our psychological investment into characters.
- The film shatters illusions about perception.
- The film explores the deep dark side of human psychologically in good people.
- The film explores how nice people are forced to desperation.
In summary, I loved Joker 2, if you haven't seen it yet, go in with your eyes open, and don't expect a DCU encore, I'd most definitely watch the first.
