Joker: Folie à Deux (4K UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Warner Brothers
Release Date: December 17, 2024
Rating: R
Film: 3/5


Plot
Arthur Fleck is institutionalized at Arkham awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that's always been inside him.
 
My Thoughts
I was torn on whether I was going to request this film for review or not, but I wanted to see how the story concluded after watching the first Joker film right before Covid-19 took over the world. While the first film was disturbing to watch, I rated it 4.5/5 due to the excellent writing and the fantastic performance from Juaquin Phoenix. With that being said, I have never revisited the film because it’s just too dark for me, but that didn’t impact my overall rating.

So here we are with Joker: Folie À Deux, which is every bit as dark as the first movie but for some oddball reason, is also a musical. No, that’s not a typo! The part of Harley Quinn was given to Lady Gaga and like Phoenix, gives a very good performance as well. My wife refused to watch it with me because she doesn’t like Phoenix at all and didn’t want any nightmares (who can blame her?), so I sat down alone and much like the first film enjoyed the performances even though the film is nearly as dark as the first. Furthermore, the musical elements fit with the narrative although I can see why people didn’t like it if they aren’t a fan of musicals.

Not to spoil the film, but Fleck and Quinn connect through a prison music class and she turns out to be an oddball herself and quite attracted to the Joker’s persona (not necessarily Fleck). She encourages him to get off of his meds and embrace his inner Joker and his “fans” would rally to his side (and they do). What’s disturbing with this storyline is we are seeing a similar phenomenon with the United Health CEO’s alleged murderer. Talk about life imitating art!

While the movie is very polarizing, the presentation isn’t—it’s absolutely flawless. Detail is off the charts with a crystal clear image, vibrant colors, and extremely deep and inviting shadows (just like the original film). The Atmos audio is just as impressive with Hildur Guðnadóttir's score front and center and while some may complain about the song and dance numbers, Gaga’s voice sounds crystal clear and drew me into the movie.

Video 9.5/10 (AVC)

Audio 10/10 (Dolby Atmos)


Special Features:
·      Everything Must Go
·      The Character of Music
·      Crafted with Class
·      Colors of Madness
·      Live! With the Joker
·      UHD + Digital Copy





 
 Conclusion
I debated about rating the film 3.5/5 but figured I’m already going to take some heat for not completely panning the film considering the critic and fan reaction to it. Maybe I was in the perfect mood when I watched it but I found the performances compelling and the musical numbers well-integrated into the storytelling. The film delves further into Fleck’s psyche and his madness is conveyed through the music. Would this have been my first choice on how to present this? Probably not, but I like how director/co-writer Todd Phillips took a chance and thought out of the box. I’m curious to see how everyone else feels if they actually take the time to watch this.

PS: I plan on rewatching this sometime in the near future to see if my opinion changes and I reserve the right to change my mind 😊

Reference Review System:
 JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
 (Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
 Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
 Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
 ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
 ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Zidoo UHD8000 Media Player
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
 System Controller: URC MX-990
 M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
 M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
 Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
 Dual Rythmik FV15HP2
 Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
 Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
 PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[Barry]

I appreciate your review and highly respect your opinion.  First, I love musicals. Second, I saw this in the theatre and totally disliked it.  There is just so much time you can spend with a homicidal maniac before the fun fades. One movie was enough.  

[SRW1000]

I saw the first movie and found it to be fascinating, but I agree with you that it isn't a movie I felt a need to ever see again.  I also didn't care for the idea of calling it and the character the The Joker and yet the movie had nothing to do with the comic book character other than the name.  The movie was good enough to stand on its own rather than leaning on a preexisting property.

While curious about the sequel, I'm desperately allergic to musicals (I have to keep an Epi-Pen within reach just in the event someone was to suddenly break into song), so I'm going to skip this one.

I'm glad you found some things to like about it, though.  I've heard others that have said similar things, so you're not isolated in your take on it. 

I'll be interested in seeing if your opinion changes one way or another when you rewatch it.

[Craig Peer]

I saw the first movie and found it to be fascinating, but I agree with you that it isn't a movie I felt a need to ever see again.  I also didn't care for the idea of calling it and the character the The Joker and yet the movie had nothing to do with the comic book character other than the name.  The movie was good enough to stand on its own rather than leaning on a preexisting property.

While curious about the sequel, I'm desperately allergic to musicals (I have to keep an Epi-Pen within reach just in the event someone was to suddenly break into song), so I'm going to skip this one.

I'm glad you found some things to like about it, though.  I've heard others that have said similar things, so you're not isolated in your take on it. 

I'll be interested in seeing if your opinion changes one way or another when you rewatch it.

What? No Singing In The Rain? No Wizard Of Oz? No Rocky Horror Picture Show?

[SRW1000]

What? No Singing In The Rain? No Wizard Of Oz? No Rocky Horror Picture Show?

Yes, except for The Wizard of Oz, which I'd consider primarily a fantasy movie with songs, rather than a musical.  Same thing with Labyrinth.  My body must be able to produce natural antihistamines as the imagination elements kick in.  I was forced to watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show once, and almost died. 

I do know that I'm on the outside of opinions on those, but they just don't do it for me.  I'm happy for you guys that do like them, though.  Maybe if the musical parts of this movie could be skipped over, I might be tempted to watch.  I'm guessing that they're vital to the story, though.

[DLCPhoto]

I appreciate (as always)  your reviews. I liked the first one a lot, including at least one rewatch. Your review, and Rotten Tomatoes reviews are sobering!

I just saw that this is on Max, so at least I can give it a shot for free (relatively speaking, that is!  ).

[bmoney]

FINE. I’ll give it a spin haha 

[David Vaughn]

I appreciate (as always)  your reviews. I liked the first one a lot, including at least one rewatch. Your review, and Rotten Tomatoes reviews are sobering!

I just saw that this is on Max, so at least I can give it a shot for free (relatively speaking, that is! ).

I let Ralph Potts know that I found the movie completely watchable and not nearly as bad as the reviews said it would be so he decided to give it a shot---for 40 minutes. He said he and his wife had to turn it off. 

The character isn't pleasant to be around for sure, but like a roadside accident, I just couldn't look away. Maybe it helped that I find Gaga to be quite interesting as well (the lady can definitely sing!). 

[DLCPhoto]

I let Ralph Potts know that I found the movie completely watchable and not nearly as bad as the reviews said it would be so he decided to give it a shot---for 40 minutes. He said he and his wife had to turn it off.

The character isn't pleasant to be around for sure, but like a roadside accident, I just couldn't look away. Maybe it helped that I find Gaga to be quite interesting as well (the lady can definitely sing!).

Wow! 

[bmoney]

I will watch it soley for gaga

[Paul Heroy]

I've been holding off on trying to watch the first Joker movie because of how dark everyone says it is. Pretty much have to wait until I have the house alone to even try as I don't want to even think about subjecting my wife to it - she'd complain for weeks about nightmares from it. 

I'm not a huge fan of Lady Gaga or anything but the woman is very talented and can sing. As a jazz fan I probably know her work with Tony Bennett better than the pop stuff - she started her career as more of a jazz cabaret singer so I knew early on she had some actual singing chops.

[David Vaughn]

I've been holding off on trying to watch the first Joker movie because of how dark everyone says it is. Pretty much have to wait until I have the house alone to even try as I don't want to even think about subjecting my wife to it - she'd complain for weeks about nightmares from it.

I'm not a huge fan of Lady Gaga or anything but the woman is very talented and can sing. As a jazz fan I probably know her work with Tony Bennett better than the pop stuff - she started her career as more of a jazz cabaret singer so I knew early on she had some actual singing chops.

She did a good job acting in "A Star is Born" and the songs from that film were pretty good too. I found her performance here to be quite good as well and you're right, she can definitely sing. My wife wouldn't watch the sequel but did watch the first, but really gets creeped out by Phoenix in whatever role he's in--she just doesn't like him!

[bmoney]

She’s great in  house of Gucci as well