Joker: Folie a Deux (WB’s Flops Vol. 2 #35)

After “Joker” became a critical and commercial success as the first R-rated movie to gross a billion dollars at the box office, Warner Bros. planned on making darker and mature solo movies with zero ties to now defunct DC Extended Universe. Basically, a cinematic equivalent to DC Elseworlds. Putting well known characters in another universe within the multiverse. For instance, “Gotham by Gaslight” features Batman in a Victorian era Gotham City, instead of the present day from the main universe. When I first heard WB’s making these of movies, I was open for more DC characters starring in their own unique movie.

After the DC Extended Universe ended in 2023, James “JG” Gunn’s now in charge of the upcoming DC Universe with “Creature Commandos” as the opening act intended to premiere on December 5, 2024 on Max. JG will direct a “Superman” reboot with David Corenswet as the titular character. It’ll be released on July 11, 2024. Anyway, DC Elseworlds will follow WB’s proposed DC Black Label movies and TV shows outside the main DC Universe are listed below. Mark your calendars. The Penguin’s now streaming on Max.

1. Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League – Sometime around 2025
2. Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires – Sometime around 2025
3. The Batman Part II – Release Date: October 2, 2026
4. The Batman Part III – TBA
5. Calvin Ellis as Superman – TBA
6. Constantine sequel with Keanu Reeves – TBA
7. The Jurassic League – TBA

Anyway, WB contacted Todd Phillips to direct “Joker: Folie a Deux” with Joaquin Phoenix (one of my all-time favorite actors) reprising his Oscar winning role as the Clown Prince of Crime. Lady Gaga signed on to play Harley Quinn following Margot Robbie’s footsteps. My initial reaction to Gaga playing one of my favorite comic book villains got me excited. She did an awesome job playing The Countess on “American Horror Story: Hotel.” Which earned her a Golden Globe.

Before 2024 commenced, I wrote an editorial about my Top 12 Anticipated Films of 2024. I picked Joker: Folie a Deux as my number one pick. I was open for a follow-up taking a new approach as a musical. Even though I’m not a big musical fan, I always speculated how the sequel’s gonna pull it off. I pictured it as a cross between “La La Land & “Natural Born Killers.” To keep myself patient, I watched and reviewed musical films from past to present by supporting DC Studios’ future.

The sequel’s out in theaters. Unlike the first entry, this one earned negative reviews. Oh, boy. I go to talk about why it’s not a worthy successor. There’s a lot of problems. I mean, a lot. If you haven’t seen Joker: Folie a Deux, beware of SPOILERS.

Happy & Sad Qualities

Happy: Joaquin Phoenix & Lady Gaga both did a superb job for their respective performances.

Other Cast Members such as Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener & Steve Coogan all did a solid job for their respective performances.

Cinematography was shot carefully lacking technical problems.

Only two good parts. An animated opening scene inspired by “Looney Tunes.” Joker represents himself in court talking like Woody Harrelson.

In two musical numbers, Joker wears two outfits from the comics.

• A black and white tuxedo painted by Alex Ross. Seeing him dance with Harley also pays tribute to Alex’s artwork.
• Dons a white suit taken from Frank Miller’s “The Dark Knight Returns.”

Remember that song from the first trailer, “What the World Needs Now Is Love?” Austin Powers introducing me to it. Turning a cheesy love song into something epic.

Sad: Todd Phillips didn’t do so well directing a worthy follow-up.

90% of the entire movie was boring as heck. I’d rather watch a four-hour cut of “The First Wives Club.”

Todd and screenwriter, Scott Silver didn’t put any effort on the screenplay. They lack passion on what made the first movie great.

Arthur never goes full on Joker until the end of Act II. Two Years After killing Murray Franklin on live television and inadvertently inspiring a clown themed riot after killing three men on a subway, he somehow relapses back to his normal self. Arthur’s character arc is an unnecessary rehash of his decent into madness. Way outta character after everything he went through.

Todd & Scott done Joker & Harley dirty. The Harley Quinn we know from the comics cartoons and video games feels badly depicted. She’s a fraud who checked herself into Arkham as a patient to see Arthur instead of working as psychiatrist. Adding insult to injury, Harley’s smarter and manipulative than Arthur. Her motive is to reawaken Arthur’s alter ego. That’s completely backwards. If you remember the episode, “Mad Love?” Joker’s the instigator encouraging Harley to unleash her dark side. As a fan of Batman, I have to Triple Down this con. Shawn Levy & Ryan Reynolds would never tarnish “Deadpool and Wolverine” in their team-up movie. These two are passionate fans taking the characters we know in love seriously.

Harley’s nickname is Lee. I know it’s a darker and serious take on the Batman mythos, but she never calls herself Harley Quinn. Imagine if Arthur never called himself, Joker?

Unlike the comics and Bruce Timm’s Batman cartoon, Joker never manipulates Harley into helping him escape Arkham. When I first saw a preview for the sequel, I expected Arthur pretending to form a relationship with Harley as a pawn to spread chaos in Gotham. Todd, Scott & WB tricked the fans including me. EGADS! This is “Kangaroo Jack” all over again! For those who don’t know, WB fooled the public into believing this is a family comedy about a talking kangaroo who can rap and dance. Turns out its a crime comedy about two guys trying to catch a kangaroo wearing a red jacket containing an envelope full of cash.

A few Musical Numbers never seem to connect to the plot. Mostly takes place in Arthur’s head. UGH! This gave me unpleasant flashbacks of Sia’s “Music!”

Joker & Harley never kill anybody. They did it in the former’s head daydreaming about his relationship with the latter. That’s the cinematic equivalent of a gutterball! It sucks monkey balls!

Jury Representative speaks the People of New York. Did Todd & Scott forget this takes place in Gotham City? It’s like mistaking Green Arrow’s hometown Star City for Arkansas. Same guys were nominated for “Best Adapted Screenplay,” didn’t do their homework.

The worst offender of ’em all? After Harley breaks up with Arthur for renouncing his Joker persona on live TV, he’s sent back to Arkham. Suddenly, a random prisoner fatally stabs Arthur leaving him dead. The prisoner carves a smile on his face offscreen like Heath Ledger’s Joker. OH, MY GOODNESS! Todd & Scott are making Joss Whedon’s theatrical cut of “Justice League” look like a masterpiece!

The Final Verdict: F, FOR FAKER!

Joker: Folie a Deux misses the punchline. A poorly executed sequel failed to recapture the first film’s lightning in a bottle. WB’s not doing so well this year.

1. The video game, “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice” ruined the Arkham games turning it into a blatant “Fortnite” rip-off. A commercial failure causing layoffs. Rocksteady used to be a great video game company. Oh, how the mighty have fallen!
2. The Watchers was a critical and commercial flop.
3. Kevin Costner’s epic western, “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1” flopped big time forcing WB & Kevin to remove planned sequels in favor of streaming on Max.
4. One more thing, Batman’s logo in the “Absolute Batman” comic book series, looks horrendously bad.

I haven’t seen a repugnant comic book movie since “Madame Web.” Sorry DC fans, don’t waste your money on Joker: Folie a Deux. Save your money on “My Hero Academia: You’re Next” and the video game, “Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero.” I hope James Gunn does a great job shepherding the DC Universe. That man’s our last hope for legit DC movies. Heck, buy Deadpool and Wolverine on Blu-Ray. Still my favorite film of 2024.