Lady Gaga joins Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix for the sequel to ‘Joker’, but the bold move to turn it into a semi-jukebox musical doesn’t pay off in ‘Joker: Folie À Deux’. The film follows Arthur Fleck in Arkham Asylum, where he meets Lee and embarks on a twisted romance filled with musical numbers. The movie starts promisingly with Looney Tunes homage but quickly becomes a fumbled mess that fails to deliver. Despite attempts to delve into themes of collectivism and the cult of personality, the film falls flat with repetitive and underwhelming musical scenes that overshadow the exceptional score by Hildur Guðnadóttir. Lady Gaga’s talent feels wasted in a supporting role that should have been more prominent.
Phillips’ attempt to innovate with song-and-dance numbers feels forced, with on-the-nose song choices and a predictable ending that fails to impress. While Phoenix’s performance remains dedicated and impressive, the lackluster script and attempts at edginess make ‘Joker: Folie À Deux’ a monotonous and underwhelming sequel that offers nothing new or interesting. Despite the controversy surrounding the original film, this sequel will only be remembered for being a disappointing and forgettable folly.
In conclusion, ‘Joker: Folie À Deux’ fails to meet expectations and falls short of capturing the magic of its predecessor. With a misguided attempt at turning it into a musical, the film lacks depth and substance, ultimately leaving audiences feeling unsatisfied. Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix’s performances can’t save a poorly written script that struggles to find its footing. Despite its box office success, ‘Joker: Folie À Deux’ will likely be remembered as a disappointing misfire in the world of sequels.
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