'Joker 2' review: A slog of a sequel
Joker: Folie à Deux, directed by Todd Phillips, is a direct sequel to 2019's global blockbuster Joker, which focused on the mental insanity, disturbing life, and shocking crimes of Arthur Fleck (Joker). The sequel is a direct follow-up to that story, but sadly, it doesn't match up to the brilliance of the first one. Unnecessary, needlessly dragged, and disjointed, it's an incredibly underwhelming experience.
The story of the sequel
In Joker 2, we find the Clown Prince of Crime incarcerated (and visibly struggling) at Arkham Asylum. He is set to appear for the "trial of the century," where he seeks to prove his insanity and psychological problems. At Arkham, he meets Lee (Lady Gaga), another inmate who quickly becomes infatuated with him. With Lee by his side, can Joker (Joaquin Phoenix) save himself?
It struggles to keep you engaged
Joker 2's biggest drawback is how burdensome and weary it feels, despite such an incredibly layered protagonist with a remarkable backstory. Joker moved propulsively from first part to the next without wasting any time, any scene, but Joker 2 can be a test of your patience because there aren't enough immersive episodes to draw you in. It refuses to mine its potential.
Lee's character could have been fleshed out better
Joker 2 makes one awkward turn after another and doesn't realize it. For instance, we don't know enough about Lee, so, despite a respectable screentime, she remains an enigma for us. Some characters from the first part make an appearance too, but tell us nothing we don't already know. The biting dark humor of the predecessor is also largely amiss.
Gotham, as a character, isn't presented well, unlike in 'Joker'
Intense media-frenzy, Joker being hailed as a vigilante, protests right outside the courtroom, anarchy on streets—Joker 2 tries to offer us a peep inside the crime-infested, war-torn world of Gotham, but it's not enough. Most of the film takes place inside the court or at Arkham, so, for the most part, we don't get a sense of what's happening in the city.
The musical sets are its biggest undoing
The musical interludes have been awkwardly crammed in between the dramatic parts, and while they may be sometimes pleasing to look at due to the top-notch production design, they eventually weigh the movie down. Each time a thrilling dramatic sequence begins heating up, a song comes up, completing destabilizing the foundation built by the previous scene. It robs the film of all its gravity.
More on how they backfire
There are several conversation-heavy scenes where I was invested to see how the characters would behave, but the succeeding musical pieces completely undercut the situation's seriousness. During such instances, you're just left wondering: "What just happened onscreen?" The musical sequences can certainly enhance the story, but they can't fill the gaping chasms left by weak writing. In Joker 2, such cracks are easily visible.
Positives: Another award-winning performance by Phoenix
Coming to the parts that work, Phoenix once again delivers an unbelievably enchanting performance as the titular character, bringing alive the depths of the character's lunacy. There's also a lot of physical acting involved: contorted facial muscles, crouched body, drooped shoulders, and such skinniness that he appears to be a child for most of the first-half.
It has been shot beautifully
The musical interludes may take you out of the drama, but you can't help but appreciate their marvelous production design, especially the one set amid the backdrop of a white-blue moon. The framing and cinematography don't disappoint, and one scene where Lee-Arthur kiss while the world goes up in flames in the background is particularly spectacular. The colors truly pop out.
Watch only if you're a committed fan; 2/5 stars
Joker 2 is a mess that lasts two hours and thirty minutes, and it's ironic that the first part was shorter yet had much more to say. It struggles to find a firm footing between thrill, character analysis, social critique, and music/romance, succeeding only in some aspects and failing in others. It's the cinematic version of a meeting that could have been an email.
