Well, they just couldn't leave well enough alone. Picking up two years after the events of the 2019 film, Arthur Fleck is waiting to stand trial for his crimes. He meets a fellow Arkham inmate named Lee (this movie's Harley Quinn), who stokes a part of himself that's long remained dormant. This highly stylized sequel is basically Joker meets La La Land. It's dark as all fuck, and the only light comes through those extended musical sequences which convey the characters' rich inner lives. Due to the success of the original, the filmmakers are able to take much more creative and experimental risks, which work to varying effect. But make no mistake, this is harrowing stuff. I for one am glad it tried something different. It could have easily gone a more conventional route, but it manages to stay true to the spirit of the original.
The people who criticize this film apparently didn't understand the message of the first one. There's a meta-commentary going on where a lot of fans are attacking it for not being what they wanted it to be, which fits in well with the themes of the film. I do find it ironic that everyone is treating this film the same way the characters treat Arthur. It's a criticism of society itself, but most people won't have the self-awareness to see it.
3½ tears in the rain out of 5
2 comments:
I wonder...does Fall Out Boy's album sync up with it, à la Wizard of Oz and Floyd?
I hear it pairs well with the STS Christmas Album.
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