Why is Joker 2 so bad? There’s an obvious answer

As a longtime fan of the Joker, I must confess that Joker 2 left me feeling more bewildered than entertained. It wasn’t just bad; it was like watching a train wreck in slow motion, knowing there was no way to stop it.


As a gamer, let me tell you, Joker 2 isn’t merely disappointing – it feels like a squandered opportunity, almost like a slap in the face to the fans who eagerly awaited this sequel. It seems to be a snide jibe aimed at its critics as well, an unrefined joke that falls flat. Here’s the harsh truth: it appears intentionally flawed.

Near the finale of the movie Joker 2, one particularly disturbing sequence unfolds: Arthur Fleck is forcibly taken back to Arkham Asylum, where he is brutally attacked and subjected to a traumatic experience that awakens his madness – this is implied to be rape.

In essence, Arthur Fleck, later known as the Joker and a future supervillain, was the central figure of this tale. A mentally ill outcast, he endured mistreatment and neglect from birth, ultimately transforming into a chaotic force that challenged not only Batman but society as a whole. His actions resonated with the marginalized not just in Gotham, but with audiences globally (and I must admit, I found it captivating, but let’s face the truth).

It sounds a bit trite when I write it like that – reader, it always was – but at least the first film had dramatic momentum; a grim and thrilling inevitability as a starved soul cackled out of control. Joker 2 doesn’t idolize or even propel his ascent to infamy. It’s a movie built on the foundation of disdain for its predecessor’s arc, and it doesn’t matter if you loved or loathed it, Todd Phillips is showing you the finger. 

Blame Todd Phillips for Joker 2 

Why is Joker 2 so bad? There’s an obvious answer

In the finale of Joker 2, Arthur relinquishes his Joker persona, admits guilt for his crimes, and decides to live in Arkham Asylum. Just before he dies from being stabbed by an inmate, who humorously asks if Arthur can tell him a joke first, the attacker carves a Glasgow smile on his face.

A less disappointing conclusion for Arthur’s tale is what the story offers, but the issue lies in Phillips not fully capitalizing on the twist (U-turn). The movie as a whole lacks commitment: its portrayal as a comic book adaptation, subtle references to the larger Gotham (such as Harvey Dent ending up with half his face scarred, merely presented as an Easter egg), and half-baked, irritating musical sequences.

Phillips recognized that the audience, including himself, craved more insight into the Clown Prince of Crime’s beginnings, with Harley Quinn at his side, igniting chaos in Gotham City. A spin on the ending of The King of Comedy; a murderer for one night, a Joker for life. However, what we received was the epilogue to a tale about an unsavory character, a strange individual who murdered dislikable people and unwittingly sparked a rebellion – not to mention the true embodiment of the Joker.

In a conversation with IGN, Phillips clarified: “The film we’re making is titled ‘Joker.’ It’s not called ‘The Joker.’ The script has always referred to it as ‘An origin story,’ not ‘the origin story.’ This suggests that perhaps this isn’t the actual Joker. Instead, it could be the genesis of the character who would later become the Joker.

As a gamer, I’ve often noticed how people can be idolized to the point where unrealistic expectations are placed upon them. It’s like when a character in a game becomes so popular that players start projecting their dreams and hopes onto it, forgetting that even the most iconic figures have their limitations.

Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of the Joker, similar to Heath Ledger and Jack Nicholson’s versions on screen, transcended the character off-screen: partly admired, partly notorious. Essentially, he was adored by certain groups like incels and self-proclaimed edgelords. Arthur, a social outcast yearning for fame and affection, was often dismissed or ridiculed by those around him. However, through his portrayal of the Joker, he was thrust into the limelight and his most problematic traits became something others aspired to emulate.

Why is Joker 2 so bad? There’s an obvious answer

For some individuals, it’s an extraordinary dream come true; “I never knew if I truly mattered in this world. Yet, here I am, and more and more people seem to be taking notice of me.

In an interview with Just Jared, Phillips firmly refuted the suggestion that his work romanticized incels. He explained, “I was being portrayed as a provocateur, someone trying to stir up controversy.

To be completely straightforward, I had never come across that term before, and my film definitely wasn’t an ode or tribute to individuals of that particular kind.

In theory, it’s intriguing to consider a sequel that stands in stark contrast to its predecessor. However, experiencing it is challenging to appreciate or even endure (a suspicion I have about Phillips and his team given the movie skipped the test screening process). It seems possible that this was his intention all along: a deceptive move where a nerd is presented as a legend.

In one dream sequence, Arthur tells Harley: “I don’t think we’re giving the people what they want.” Phillips didn’t care what the people wanted, and one thing is certain: nobody’s laughing now. 

As a gaming enthusiast, diving deep into the world of movies, here’s what I’ve uncovered about the upcoming Joker saga: Who took down Arthur Fleck in Joker 2, the intriguing plot twists, and where you can stream this thrilling sequel.

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2024-10-08 17:48