Despite Controversy, 'Joker' Laughs His Way To Greatness

10/12 ForReel Score | 4.5/5 Stars

He's laughing at all of us now, despite the controversy involving possible “incel” violence and beefed up security presence the likes of which I hadn’t experienced before at the cinema. Walking out of Joker left me wondering where the controversy came from in the first place because the film, while dark and gritty, did not convey that to me.

Joaquin Phoenix is no Heath Ledger, but his take on the Joker is phenomenal and the pain within every cackle is brilliantly delivered. The film really is a slow dramatic build for the young struggling mentally ill lead character. It felt a lot like Ad Astra in this sense, the difference being Joker’s third act truly gives a satisfying conclusion. The visuals continuously portrayed the film and Gotham in a dark, gritty, and broken light. Perfect for the rise of Joker (as well as the future rise of Batman).

Thanks to a Oscar worthy performance from Phoenix, Joker could be a blueprint for origin stories for years to come. Don’t buy into the controversy and go see the best adaptation of Batman’s arch nemesis since The Dark Knight.

Acting and Casting - 2 | Visual Effects and Editing - 2 | Story and Message - 2 | Entertainment Value - 2 | Music Score and Soundtrack - 1 | Reviewer's Preference - 1 | What does this mean?