BLOOD WORK: DC EXTENDED UNIVERSE: JOKER (2019)

The Joker is perhaps the most iconic super villain across all comic books and maybe even the most recognized villain across pop culture next to Darth Vader. There have been many interpretations of the character in film media and most have explored the character in different ways. I grew up thinking Jack Nicholson's 1989 portrayal was untouchable for a live action film approach. Likewise I thought and still think Mark Hamill's voice acting of Joker for the animated series and subsequent appearances is hands down the best Joker there will ever be.

I'll admit that when I heard Heath Ledger was playing Joker in 2008's The Dark Knight I was very skeptical. When I saw Ledger's performance I was shocked and blown away by it. I never imagined a Joker quite like that. Ledger didn't tread upon Jack Nicholson's or Mark Hamill's interpretations, but rather discovered a completely new and terrifying take. The Dark Knight should be retitled The Joker as he clearly stole the show. Jared Leto, to his credit, found yet another new avenue for the character that didn't tread upon Nicholson's or Ledger's Jokers, but it was an interpretation I didn't enjoy nearly as much. But maybe we needed a wildly different and polarizing take like that to move on from Ledger's now legendary approach.

When Warner Bros. announced that they were releasing a stand alone film about the Joker I was intrigued but skeptical. When the first trailer dropped for JOKER earlier this year it appeared all the more curious. I've outlined above the versatility of the character and perhaps that's the reason why Joker is such a successful and beloved character. And that versatility is on full display here in this new film. Joaquin Phoenix, like the actors before him, discovers yet another side of the character that doesn't step on previous Joker portrayals and sets itself apart from the pack.

I liked JOKER a lot and feel Phoenix did a great job as this iconic character. But that doesn't mean I'm not left with a few questions...

THE PLOT

Gotham City's economic slump reaches disastrous heights. The divide between the wealthy and the destitute grows larger every day. Many citizens in the city need help yet budget cuts continue taking what little help exists. Arthur Fleck, a struggling citizen of Gotham City suffering from mental illness, can no longer afford his medications. An accident at work costs him his job. And everywhere he turns for help he is denied even the remotest amount of human compassion. When life pushes Arthur down a dark path there is nothing and no one there to pull him back.

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

This film is not a "super hero" film in the Marvel sense nor anything like the previous films from DC. You can't even call this film an action flick. Joker is a dark drama in the vein of brutal 70's R rated cinema. Films like TAXI DRIVER and ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST came to mind while watching Joker and, in many ways, this film feels like an homage and love letter to that era of cinema. This film is incredibly uncomfortable and chilling (which is a good thing in this instance). It's a slow burn that builds to a shocking finale. Joaquin Phoenix delivers a great performance worthy of praise.

This isn't a film that leaves you feeling happy or uplifted. It is nothing like any of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films (which, again, is a good thing). The closest modern super hero film comparison that comes to mind is 2017's LOGAN in terms of feeling bleak and sobering. The pacing and adrenaline of Logan is far different than Joker however. Joker also isn't nearly as violent or gory as I was expecting it to be, opting instead to withhold most of the bloodletting for the final act. But even then the violence is subdued by recent R rated film comparisons too. The R rating here is only due to adult language, which is in line with the dark dramatic approach. The sensationalism overall is downplayed to the film's benefit.

Here are my questions: Is this in the DC Extended Universe canon? If so, it appears that Thomas and Martha Wayne have been recast, no longer portrayed by Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohen. And what does this mean for Jared Leto's Joker? It is conceivable that Joaquin Phoenix's Joker isn't in fact the Batman's nemesis but rather the inspiration for Leto's character within the larger narrative. There could even be multiple Jokers in this universe, Leto's Joker possibly being a corrupted Robin according to some fan theories.

This film does take place in the past at a date where Ben Affleck would've been a child the same age as the Bruce Wayne depicted here too. One could interpret many of DC's moves of late as an attempt to softly reboot the DCEU's Batman and Batman related characters. But yet it appears they're continuing the previously established continuity with the forthcoming BIRDS OF PREY film and SUICIDE SQUAD film. The simplest answer to it all is that this Joker film is a "one-off" standalone film. But with how successful this film is proving to be, it seems foolish for DC to leave this interpretation as a "one and done" film.

There's a way to make it all mesh, it's merely a question of will they? Only time will tell.

Overall Ranking: 7 out of 10

This film captures a realistic tone and gravitas that I feel Zack Snyder wanted his DC films to possess minus the over the top "balls to the wall" action. DC has made some giant leaps forward with their films from the last twelve months. Let's hope they keep this forward momentum going and push the super hero genre further into places Marvel can't go. Marvel, whether intentionally or not, has left a particular door wide open. Go for it, DC!