Todd Phillips 2019 

Critical score: 5/10 

The film had amazing cinematography, however there were too many filler scenes that were unnecessary and worthless to the plot, despite the attempt of these trying to give the audience an emotional connection to Arthur and his feelings it was overpowering and became forced.  

Stand out scene: The murder of the three men on the subway, it was the first proper act of violence from Arthur and caused a switch into his violent persona into ‘Joker’ compared to his seemily caring emotional past self, seen when he cared for his mother. Additionally, it also caused an outburst of riots and violent protests in the city and was like a breaking point for people. Specifically, when Arthur is stood over the man on the staircase, this is significant as it portrays the lower class above the upper class which was a big change for the society in joker. 

Rating- 7/10 

It was very beautifully shot, the soundtrack was great and very clearly displayed and heightened emotions in the scenes. But the first hour was not my favourite because it was just Aurther wallowing for an hour, which I did not connect with.  

Stand out scene- the ending 

I feel that the music was really carrying the ending, the use of much more happy music compared to the subject that was happening on screen really heightened it. I feel that it really showed the extent of Aurther’s descent to madness. I also think the music fits because throughout the film the song ‘that’s life’ is related to Murry’s show and the reason he is in the ward is because of what he did on the show. 

Critical score: 8.8/10

I think this film is an amazing piece of filmmaking and social commentary on how society deals with those who are mentally ill. In my opinion, it has quite a few iconic shots, the stair scene, Arthur being hauled out of the wreckage by the growing mob, who view him in this almost deified way etc. Also, the performance by Joaquin Phoenix is one of my personal favourites, as he portrays the character’s mental deterioration, and struggles he faces in his life, in such a convicting way.

Memorable Scene:

I think the dancing on the stair scenes is the most iconic and memorable, as it shows how the character of Arthur finally feels free from society’s boundaries with his newfound joker personality. This can be inferred by comparing it to an earlier scene where he slowly dances in a rundown bathroom after killing three men. In that scene, his movements are controlled and delicate, as he is still a Fleck and he hasn’t killed his mother yet and is therefore still held by the boundaries of society. Compare that to his dancing on the stairs and there is a clear difference. His movements are brash and wild, as he is now free from the limitations and negative thoughts that society has set upon himself, and that he has found his true personality/persona.

My rating: 4/10

Pros: The set design, cinematography, and framing of each scene really grounded me as an audience member in this gritty and cluttered world that Arthur is surrounded by in Gotham, adding to the films depressing and grim tone.

Cons: Poorly paced, with an overdrawn exposition and an excessive amount of characterization that didn’t pay off, as Arthur ends up ditching his prior morals and personality, making the whole first hour of the movie entirely obsolete.

Favourite Scene: Arthur viciously attacking and killing his former co-worker Randall, then sparing his other co-worker Gary for “being the only guy there to be kind to him”

This scene sticks out to me due to it ending with a break from the films painfully drab story, by having a classic slapstick comedy-esque moment where Gary is told to leave by Arthur but can’t as he’s too short to reach the lock. This scene also includes Arthur doing a fake-out lunge towards Gary, and him having to open the door for Gary who spends the entire scene utterly terrified of Arthur. This scene works so well because while it is mostly used to provide a moment of comedy relief, it also relays a message about how a little bit of kindness can go a long way, which is especially impactful when reviewed in tandem with the films collective message.

Score: 7/10 

The movie was good, and it showed many mature scenes though those scenes were quite gory it replicated what was happening in the Jokers mind. I genuinely enjoyed the fact that there was a bit of a roller coaster of emotions and that it did not choose the same basic template that most movies made in America use. The only reason I gave it a seven is because there was a lot of blood. It is not truly about the film; it is more about personal preference. 

For a memorable scene, I picked the scene where he is on the bus and playing with that child. The scene is memorable because it shows that he was a good person, but it was the world around him that compressed him into this psychotic individual. Which he tries to explain to others but because of his illness and job, they all think differently.  

Joker first response 

Phillips, 04/10/19 (release date) 

Critical score: 5/10 

Memorable scene: When the dwarf, Gary tries to escape Arthur’s apartment, but he can’t reach the lock, so he asks Arthur to unlock it for him which is a tense moment since he just saw his colleague get killed in front of him. This makes the scene oddly comedic in an awkward sense, Arthur was completely calm after committing an act of random violence. Then there’s the casual joking around, for example when Arthur pretends to lunge at Gary.  

Thoughts: Overall, it was okay, I don’t understand the hype about it but there were some good cinematic shots throughout, although the narrative switched up from serious and gritty to stereotypical action movie, which was off-putting and underwhelming.