Yeah...there was no way I wasn't starting off this topic without this:
Surprisingly that's very fitting considering what we see in the trailers for this movie.
Anyso, this isn't as much a review of the movie as just some general thoughts I wanted to get posted. It's been a long time for me to get these topic talks in motion, so I want to get back to that, if only for my own sanity. :P
And it's fitting to say that, since Today's Topic Talk is about the insanity found in the Joker movie that came out recently. I have some things I want to talk about, though I think less than usual. So, this will be a little bit short...and a lotta bit delayed...but this is about the Joker movie. Spoilers...because really, that's what we're here for.
Anyso, this isn't as much a review of the movie as just some general thoughts I wanted to get posted. It's been a long time for me to get these topic talks in motion, so I want to get back to that, if only for my own sanity. :P
And it's fitting to say that, since Today's Topic Talk is about the insanity found in the Joker movie that came out recently. I have some things I want to talk about, though I think less than usual. So, this will be a little bit short...and a lotta bit delayed...but this is about the Joker movie. Spoilers...because really, that's what we're here for.
Thanks for the warning, random Lucario...now, to spoilers.
So firstly, I think this movie is fine. Better than a lot of DC movies I've seen lately, but in DC's defense, I haven't kept up too much lately. Surprisingly, I have yet to see Aquaman or Shazam!, not because I'm not interested, but...just because I'm not THAT interested.
The recent DC movies I did see (Man of Steel, BVS:DOJ, Suicide Squad, Justice League...) were really lacking appealing moments, and even with gems like Wonder Woman, it was too much and sent me avoiding DC movies...unless there was going to be a special circumstance.
In this case, there were two reasons I went to see the movie. The second was because my sister invited me at random, so it was a case of "Sure, why not?" But the first and major reason I was going to see it was a theory I had.
So firstly, I think this movie is fine. Better than a lot of DC movies I've seen lately, but in DC's defense, I haven't kept up too much lately. Surprisingly, I have yet to see Aquaman or Shazam!, not because I'm not interested, but...just because I'm not THAT interested.
The recent DC movies I did see (Man of Steel, BVS:DOJ, Suicide Squad, Justice League...) were really lacking appealing moments, and even with gems like Wonder Woman, it was too much and sent me avoiding DC movies...unless there was going to be a special circumstance.
In this case, there were two reasons I went to see the movie. The second was because my sister invited me at random, so it was a case of "Sure, why not?" But the first and major reason I was going to see it was a theory I had.
I know, I know, I'm big on random theories and Wild Mass Guessing that goes nowhere. And this is true here too...but it doesn't have to stay that way.
Basically, the whole thing that got in my head is the timeline of this movie. The movie takes place in 1981, and even though it's not supposed to be canon to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, in THAT movie, the Wayne parents die...in 1981.
Basically, the whole thing that got in my head is the timeline of this movie. The movie takes place in 1981, and even though it's not supposed to be canon to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, in THAT movie, the Wayne parents die...in 1981.
Well...that's weird. Hmm, why such a specific time, especially if the movie isn't meant to be canon? The movie is definitely taking place IN 1981, there's a lot of fun references to WB 1981, the architecture, the attitudes, and the culture all reflect 1981. It's good work on the production team's part.
But...it does make me wonder. Now, of course, the counterargument is that the Joker in this movie is clearly not the Joker from BVS:DOJ, or at least it shouldn't be considering age and look differences. And I agree, if this theory is going to be canon, it means the Joker of Joker is not the Joker that is joking around in Suicide Squad.
However...there was a theory about that.
But...it does make me wonder. Now, of course, the counterargument is that the Joker in this movie is clearly not the Joker from BVS:DOJ, or at least it shouldn't be considering age and look differences. And I agree, if this theory is going to be canon, it means the Joker of Joker is not the Joker that is joking around in Suicide Squad.
However...there was a theory about that.
No no no, this wasn't by me. This theory was getting juggled around since Dawn of Justice was in production. Basically, the Joker in the DC Cinematic Universe was meant to be a Robin that was driven to become a Joker for whatever reason. It's not clear why...or how, but it could be a possible explanation of some things.
I don't think that's what DC was going for, and I think they fully intend to keep this Joker movie separate from the DC Extended Universe. But this Justice League Universe would benefit from this to act as a new foundation for things to come.
The Joker in this movie is very unique in comparison to others, and he helps set up a world that DC could have a lot of serious and real situations to work with (and let's face it, DC loves serious stories for their Worlds of DC Universe).
There's also another theory in that this Joker movie was meant to be with Jared Leto's Joker from BVS:DOJ, and this goes back to a bunch of plans DC had to make movies. I don't know if that's what THIS is, but it could be the leftover of an idea. That happens a lot with franchises like Star Wars and Spider-Man, so it's possible that happened for this Joker as well. But we'll probably never find out, and this may all just be a wasted effort on my part.
I don't think that's what DC was going for, and I think they fully intend to keep this Joker movie separate from the DC Extended Universe. But this Justice League Universe would benefit from this to act as a new foundation for things to come.
The Joker in this movie is very unique in comparison to others, and he helps set up a world that DC could have a lot of serious and real situations to work with (and let's face it, DC loves serious stories for their Worlds of DC Universe).
There's also another theory in that this Joker movie was meant to be with Jared Leto's Joker from BVS:DOJ, and this goes back to a bunch of plans DC had to make movies. I don't know if that's what THIS is, but it could be the leftover of an idea. That happens a lot with franchises like Star Wars and Spider-Man, so it's possible that happened for this Joker as well. But we'll probably never find out, and this may all just be a wasted effort on my part.
Alright, alright, we'll move on. We talked enough about the Worlds of Justice League DC Cinematic Extended Universe. Let's focus on something positive!
To put it simply, it is a good movie, and it's meant to make things unpredictable and mysterious. It works in certain ways in the attempts to be deep, but how deep the movie is will depend on your personal preferences.
Another point I've seen made is that a lot of the character, maybe even all of them, aren't likable. I know for me, having unlikable characters can ruin any hype I may have for a show or movie. So I understand that reasoning, though I'm a bit undecided on how unlikable all these characters actually are.
And to be fair, the movie isn't necessarily about liking any of the characters, it's more about watching the story itself and see everything fall apart. If anything, I think not liking the characters is a good thing, and not liking the events the way they played out is a worthwhile interpretation.
Another problem I saw a few people had...was the dancing.
Another point I've seen made is that a lot of the character, maybe even all of them, aren't likable. I know for me, having unlikable characters can ruin any hype I may have for a show or movie. So I understand that reasoning, though I'm a bit undecided on how unlikable all these characters actually are.
And to be fair, the movie isn't necessarily about liking any of the characters, it's more about watching the story itself and see everything fall apart. If anything, I think not liking the characters is a good thing, and not liking the events the way they played out is a worthwhile interpretation.
Another problem I saw a few people had...was the dancing.
I was questioning the dancing too a few times, particularly in the bathroom after the train shooting. But someone pointed out to me that we're meant to see that as the first time he feels full control of himself, which I assume means the dancing is a symbol of that.
That said, the whole "deep" thing is, well, it's complicated, because depth can be found in anything. For instance, you can look at The Room and see a strange story of a person fighting to make something of his life, a guy who is too friendly and caring for his own good, and someone dealing with hyper-sexuality. It's an odd thing to explore the depths of The Room, but you can.
Joker has depth, and for some people exploring that depth is going to give them joy. And in an effort to spread that joy, or at least enhance their own, they may push their hunt for depth onto you, so be prepared for that. But if you're not interested in that depth, that's fine; if you could only enjoy the movie by going deep, then you'll have a hard time digging up out of the hole.
I also thought it was odd how Gotham was very basic, minus making Arthur climb up a hill and down a hill any time he needed to cross town (poor city structure is definitely Gotham). I remember thinking the trailers were strange since they never made the movie feel 1981-ish, but the movie definitely embraces that at the start, which I appreciated.
But I think Gotham looking basic was either because it was just the way Joker viewed the world, or it was meant to show that Gotham was some standard and simple before deteriorating into madness. I mean either way, I liked it better than Dawn of Justice Gotham, so I can live with this.
That said, the whole "deep" thing is, well, it's complicated, because depth can be found in anything. For instance, you can look at The Room and see a strange story of a person fighting to make something of his life, a guy who is too friendly and caring for his own good, and someone dealing with hyper-sexuality. It's an odd thing to explore the depths of The Room, but you can.
Joker has depth, and for some people exploring that depth is going to give them joy. And in an effort to spread that joy, or at least enhance their own, they may push their hunt for depth onto you, so be prepared for that. But if you're not interested in that depth, that's fine; if you could only enjoy the movie by going deep, then you'll have a hard time digging up out of the hole.
I also thought it was odd how Gotham was very basic, minus making Arthur climb up a hill and down a hill any time he needed to cross town (poor city structure is definitely Gotham). I remember thinking the trailers were strange since they never made the movie feel 1981-ish, but the movie definitely embraces that at the start, which I appreciated.
But I think Gotham looking basic was either because it was just the way Joker viewed the world, or it was meant to show that Gotham was some standard and simple before deteriorating into madness. I mean either way, I liked it better than Dawn of Justice Gotham, so I can live with this.
Another weird bit was Bruce. For whatever reason, the kid playing him...didn't really act. And I'm not saying he was bad, I'm saying...he just stood there. I'm still trying to work out if that was done to show Bruce also has issues, or if Bruce was meant to be a figure to watch over this situation (as in Batman is remembering this all thing and thus why the kid never acts), or if that was just meant to be a sign that Joker cared so little about this kid that he couldn't even see him as more than a prop.
Other bits to gnaw on are stuff like the way the city is basically filled with crazy people. It is unrealistic in some ways, but...it is Gotham, and we're meant to see this city on the verge of widespread rioting. The teenagers going insane is a bit...insane, but the three guys on the train make sense for the sake of being drunken jyks.
Other bits to gnaw on are stuff like the way the city is basically filled with crazy people. It is unrealistic in some ways, but...it is Gotham, and we're meant to see this city on the verge of widespread rioting. The teenagers going insane is a bit...insane, but the three guys on the train make sense for the sake of being drunken jyks.
Er...jerks, not jyks. Whatever. >_>
Overall, I appreciate that the creators did major research on the condition Arthur suffers, and they set up scenarios that can be interpreted as "Either he did this, or he did this, or he did nothing at all." That kind of scripting takes a lot of forward thought, and considering it's a movie, you also have to know how to position actors and manipulate scenes in such a way to make something that's real possibly unreal.
I think a few people out there will enjoy this movie for trying to understand a character's motivation, or even the filmmakers' motivations. However, it doesn't stand out as much as I expected, but at least it gave me some things to think about. In any case, I think the movie was fine, better than anything in the DC Cinematic Extended Justice World of Universe at least. :P
Sincerely,
Lan Prower Kopaka
Overall, I appreciate that the creators did major research on the condition Arthur suffers, and they set up scenarios that can be interpreted as "Either he did this, or he did this, or he did nothing at all." That kind of scripting takes a lot of forward thought, and considering it's a movie, you also have to know how to position actors and manipulate scenes in such a way to make something that's real possibly unreal.
I think a few people out there will enjoy this movie for trying to understand a character's motivation, or even the filmmakers' motivations. However, it doesn't stand out as much as I expected, but at least it gave me some things to think about. In any case, I think the movie was fine, better than anything in the DC Cinematic Extended Justice World of Universe at least. :P
Sincerely,
Lan Prower Kopaka