I just hope my death makes more cents than my life.
Weltschmerz. Despair. Grief. Desperation. Those are the keywords that came to mind after watching this movie. If you are a superhero film fan and you expect heroic confrontations between this crazy clown and our bats-related superhero in a tight latex suit, you can safely turn around and skip this film. The interpretation of “The Joker” by Jack Nicholson was masterful. He played a mean Joker who was obsessed with money and power. But without a doubt, Heath Ledger’s interpretation is the most legendary. He played Joker’s insanity and psychopathic behavior in an unparalleled way. An outstanding acting performance. What Joaquin Phoenix does in this film, however, is breathtaking and brilliant at the same time. After “You were never really here” I thought Phoenix belonged to the leading group of excellent actors. After “Joker“, for me anyway, he’s already the front-runner in that group.
A confronting and impressive film.
I am not easily impressed by a movie. But “Joker” made an immense impression on me. And not because of the violence. By the way, I found the reports of people leaving the cinema prematurely, because it became too intense, grossly exaggerated. Every average action movie today is filled with aggressive scenes full of senseless violence. I was more overwhelmed by a constant uncomfortable feeling while watching this film. A feeling of pity and vicarious shame. For Arthur Fleck, as well as for the fellow citizens he meets in his daily life. For me, the saddest scene was the stand-up comedy moment. You know Arthur’s performance will be completely ridiculous and that his would-be funny performance will backfire in his face. The most significant scene was the one with the over-concerned mother in the subway who shouts at Arthur and tells him to stop intimidating her child. After his hysterical laughing, she turns her back on him anxiously. Pitiful. Confronting. Enough incentive to derail the psyché of this disturbed soul.
Phenomenal Phoenix.
Joaquin Phoenix is phenomenal. Not only is he extremely psychologically vulnerable. Also physically he looks emaciated and fragile. Little more than skin and bone. It looked as if his rib cage would burst out of his body. And his shoulder blades could be ripping through his skin at any time. Skin like yellow parchment full of cracks. Just like his by antidepressants ravaged morbid mind. Antidepressants that are needed to control his uncontrollable laughter and help him through his measly existence. A hopeless life without understanding and loving feelings. Except toward his mother (Frances Conroy). An old woman who sits all day in her seat. Demented. Fading away. With a daily routine of writing letters to Thomas Wayne (Brett Cullen), father of Bruce Wayne and future mayor of Gotham, asking if he could help them.
May the force be with you.
“Joker” is not a relaxing film. It’s depressing to see how such an individual is harassed and spit out by society. Not a day goes by without being scorned, physically abused or treated as a leprosy patient. This downward spiral he’s getting into creates an explosive moment in which he takes matters into his own hands, resulting in a disastrous outcome. The discharge that follows afterward, has been portrayed both frighteningly and magically. That unreal and silly dance in the public toilet is probably a moment of realization that his life is at a tipping point. And without realizing it, he becomes the symbolic force behind a movement against injustices in society. A sort of evil, insane Katniss Everdeen for the outcasts. And although many don’t like to hear this, the number of similarities with our current society is alarmingly high.
Hand over that statuette. And fast.
Yes, “Joker” is a sort of origin story of Batman’s most infamous archenemy. On the other hand, this could be the portrait of so many others as well. Everyday people who struggle with their personality and fall through the cracks and out of the system at all levels. Individuals who are often driven into a corner and cultivate a destructive hatred toward everything and everyone. And then there’s a day their fuse blows and they resort to actions that aren’t tolerated by modern society. Not that I approve of these actions but I think it’s kind of logical consequence. “Joker” is not part of a superhero universe. This film is more realistic than any psycho-dramatic film. A film that shows how an underdog grows into a monstrous tormentor who preaches chaos and destruction. A numb, sick mind that doesn’t care. The harder you pound him, the louder his laugh. The movie “Joker” helped me understand who that figure is and where he comes from. For me the most impressive film out of the superheroes potpourri that we’ve seen these few last years. And for my par. He’ll certainly be laughing about it uncontrollably the evening of the award ceremony.
Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence. But unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe. When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey City super-fan Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel, and Carol’s estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau.
Brie Larson as Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel (Marvel Studios)
Movie Review (no spoilers)
Exceptional performance by Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris and Iman Vellani as Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel respectively. Samuel L. Jackson is back with a fury as Nick Fury and bringing the much-needed energy and comic relief as usual.
I highly encourage watching the following Marvel movies and TV series in order to thoroughly prepare for The Marvels.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Captain Marvel (2019)
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
WandaVision (2021)
Ms. Marvel (2022)
Secret Invasion (2023)
The Marvels’ storyline picks up right after each of the main stars’ respective storylines and manages to combine their story arc into a unique and marvelous manner, keeping it consistent with some of the current events within the broad Marvel Cinematic Universe and developing our heroes from individual stars into a team of superstars. The costumes are aesthetically pleasing.
Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel (Marvel Studios)
Zawe Ashton plays the part of Dar-Benn, the antagonist in The Marvels. I would have loved to see more of her character’s backstory and hope that we get to see more backgrounds being unpacked either through Marvel TV Series or even an television special.
The movie’s runtime is 105 minutes, making it the shortest Marvel movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The story felt a little bit rushed, considering a dangerous mission is underway to prevent world-level ramifications but no-time is wasted to deliver yet another masterpiece in the cinematic universe.
The story delivers a few unique twists, lots of humor and a few surprises. The movie definitely contains something for everyone, young and old, and I encourage you to take the whole family to experience The Marvels.
Teyonah Parris as Captain Monica Rambeau (Marvel Studios)
The Marvels is a story that keeps the golden thread, which is the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and still manages to peak higher, further and faster into the multiversal trajectory.
The trailer doesn’t spoil much, but as always, a secret awaits for those who eagerly pay attention to the Marvel’s trailers. My only worry is that usually key spoilers tend to emerge in the week following the release of the movie in the forms of updated sneak peaks and mini-trailers.
There is a mid-credits scene that you don’t want to miss, but no post-credits scene.
I rate this movie 4 out of 5. Really excited to see what the future holds for Captain Marvel.
Marvel Studios’ Echo | Official Trailer — Disney + and Hulu
Maya Lopez must face her past, reconnect with her Native American roots and embrace the meaning of family and community if she ever hopes to move forward.
Maya Lopez must face her past, reconnect with her Native American roots and embrace the meaning of family and community if she ever hopes to move forward.