Batman: Knightfall Part 1

Break the Bat!

Just when I thought I've had enough posting about superhero films, my passion for comic books drives into the animated version of my favorite Batman story arc of all time: Knightfall. Yes, that dark and gritty story that ran from 1993 to 1994 that introduced readers to the unthinkable: Batman is finally beaten, and crippled for life. For life? Well, at least for a couple of years. How can you possible tell a story that took two years, 102 (some say 106 to 112) issues on a film over an hour and so? The answer is, yes you can. DC Comics has been agonizing for years with their live action films. Even now, with James Gunn on the helm, the situation doesn't seem to be any different from that when Zack Snyder was in charge. However, the animated universe of comic book films from DC has been fairly good, and true to the source. Batman has already had some animated versions of classics like Dark Knight Returns, Year One, The Killing Joke, Hush & The Long Halloween just to name a few acclaimed graphic novels we all hold dear to our hearts. 

The films were directed by Jeff Wamester from a script by Jeremy Adams and stars Anson Mount, Michael Mando and Pablo Schreiber. 

The first installment, Batman: Knightfall – Part 1: Knightfall, follows Batman as he exhausts himself in confronting the escaped inmates of Arkham Asylum who were freed by Bane, and we all know, eventually this exhaustion leads to Bane breaking his back and taking him out of business for two long years. Like most adaptations, there are a few changes, but for the first time I can merrily say they're minimal and do not affect the legacy of the best Batman saga from the 1990s. Key characters like Shondra Kinsolving, Tim Drake, and of course Jean-Paul Valley are present and are reasonably represented both in their looks and psyches. The gallery of rogues is also there, and their crimes after escaping Arkham asylum are also a faithful source representation. Of course, not every story is included. Time constraints make it impossible to have room for every adventure the caped crusader goes through until Bane has him cornered.

No time to rest.

 

Azrael is one of the coolest additions to the Batman world.

Faithful Enough

Discussing comic book faithfulness is one recurring matter amongst my friends and I. They think I'm an extremist by demanding a fair representation from pages to screen. By all means, they are right. Adaptations to different formats will always include the vision from the author ,even if that involves making changes to the source material. One minor thing that may be a tad different from the comic book here, is Bane's intentions behind conquering Gotham city. His origin story in the animation pretty much resembles that of Captain America: A man undergoes a secret project where through drug infusions he will become the ultimate killing machine. The comic book origin makes it clear he's no hero. He actually spends 31 days in a coma after a near-fatal fall. The time he's imprisoned  allows him to grow his physique and develop his intellect. You see, Bane is not all muscle and brute force. Warner Bros already made the mistake of dumbing down Bane in Batman & Robin (1997) Another change regarding his evilness, is the fact his henchmen are completely absent in part 1. Bird, Zombie and Trog provide essential reconnaissance and tech support to Bane's plan.  Maybe we'll see them later, who knows? Other subplots involving The Joker, Scarecrow and Cornelius Stirk driving Gotham into chaos were omitted for part 1. Again, they may show up later, it's still early to declare these changes as permanent. We need an extra year to agree to that, since Part 2 & part 3 are currently in production and technically  will premiere somewhere in 2027. Moreover, a whole action packed sequence involving Robin & Killer Croc are also absent from the film. 

What about Azrael? 

The character first appeared in the 1992 four-issue miniseries Batman: Sword of Azrael as Jean-Paul Valley. He then became a supporting character in the monthly Batman titles, eventually taking over the role of Batman through the "Knightfall", "Knightquest", and "KnightsEnd" story arcs. One of its creators, Denny O'Neil, admitted to having difficulties with Azrael's transition from villain to hero: "If I'd known he was to become a monthly character, I might have set him up differently. The problem is that I had to turn a bad guy into a real hero, not just an anti-hero or lead. It's possible to do that, but it's difficult to retain the original characterization. You almost have to change his personality".

O'Neil characterized Azrael as contrasting to Batman: "Bruce is very aware of what he is and how that contributes to what he does. He is not moved by internal or external forces that he doesn't already understand. Jean-Paul, on the other hand, has virtually no idea who he really is. He is, in the worst possible way, ignorant. Think about it: he had a rotten childhood he can barely remember; conversely, Bruce remembers his childhood, which was, up until that one critical moment, a very happy and privileged one – all too well. So they are at extreme opposite ends of the psychological spectrum." The subsequent Azrael series, chronicling Valley's battles against the Order of St. Dumas, ran for 100 issues between 1995 and 2003. O'Neil modeled the series on Arthurian legends, comparing Azrael's quest to discover the truth about himself to the Holy Grail. Starting with issue #47, it was retitled to Azrael: Agent of the Bat in an attempt to boost sales by tying the series in with the rest of the Batman mythos, including Azrael as part of the team of Batman, Robin, and the new Batgirl. Eventually, the character was killed off in the 100th issue of his series and would only make a handful of appearances in flashbacks and the Blackest Night storyline. Long story short, he has returned in several stories after his death, you see, in comic books, no one stays really dead.

 

Jean Paul Valley, one of my favorites.

Knightfall, the comic book.

"Knightfall" resulted in long-term ramifications for the Batman continuity, as Batman's trust from the police, the public, and his fellow superheroes had to be rebuilt due to Azrael's violence. Additionally, Bruce realizes the peril and burden of attempting to work in solitude, leading to the eventual creation of the modern incarnation of the Batman Family. The events of "Knightfall" also led to the temporary resignation of Bruce's loyal butler, Alfred Pennyworth.

The entire "Knightfall" storyline took over a year to complete in the comic book serials. In later years, the comics were reprinted several times, though never in full, as the "Knightquest: The Search" story arc was not collected until the second omnibus edition in 2017.

The initial idea for the character of Azrael stemmed from a two-part story idea pitched by Detective Comics writer Peter Milligan circa 1991, as he was leaving that position. After line editor Dennis O'Neil decided to expand it into a larger epic, he and the Batman line writers Chuck Dixon, Doug Moench and Alan Grant convened an authors' summit over a long weekend to flesh out the details and story points. At the same time, the Superman team was planning for a similar character-altering storyline, and neither they nor the Batman group initially had any knowledge of each other's plans. Dennis O'Neil denies the Knightfall storyline was in any way inspired by The Death of Superman storyline and states that it was already in development by as much as three years, saying that if the Batman staff had known, the storyline would likely have been pushed down a year. 

The intent of Knightfall's writers was to counter the then-popular style of violent heroes in comics and demonstrate that the traditional Batman made for a better hero. The issues featuring Jean-Paul Valley as Batman on the cover depict him with highly exaggerated musculature and legs which taper into disproportionately tiny feet, mimicking the styles of contemporary "violent hero" artists such as Rob Liefeld. 

 

The now legendary #497 issue.

Did you like part 1? let me know in the comments.

 In the meantime here's part 1 trailer:

 ...and happy Batman day!

 

The Flash, AKA the end of an era.

It ends here.

Fads come and go. What was once a matter of laughter in the film industry, became the ruling genre, and it ultimately imploded. Questions also came from every corner of the industry: producers, directors, actors, and a toxic, rather questionable fan base. The Flash was originally intended as the next step into Zack Snyder's DCU. Sadly, movies are now treated like products, people no longer root for the artistic elements that make a good movie. Now the world has turned its back to artists, and all it does is deliver headlines based on how much money these films are making or losing. There's also the unwanted comparison "our film is making more money than yours" and a neverending thread of negativity that really makes it seem social networks could be the worst idea of recent years. In  fact, I stopped reviewing films in 2017 (Wonder Woman) only to return briefly in 2020 with WW 84. Superhero exhaustion is real regardless what corporate  patronizing media says.

In the 80s (I was born in 1981) we had very few superhero films. Superman III, Supergirl, Superman IV and Batman. Although The Incredible Hulk TV show lasted until 1982, that's pretty much everything we had available, despite cartoons and older TV shows reruns. So, an 80s kid would get his/her comic book education mostly from actual comic books, and boy were the 80s a nice decade to get that superhero degree. So, I would say there are two kinds of superhero fans now. The casual ones, the ones that watch the movie, or TV show, and obviously the, let's say, dedicated ones. Those who read the comic book, and watch the movie and TV show with their critic eye looking for every similitude with the source material. but wait! there's more! there are fans of the superhero video-games, fans of the collectibles like action figures, wear, and a never ending etc. So how can you please every type of fan? Simple, you can't.

 

Two flashes for the price of one, and a Supergirl.

The reason to watch this film for older fans.

The Flash film is its own version of Flashpoint, or any based upon a multiverse story already told to exhaustion on paper by DC Comics for decades.In a nutshell, Barry Allen discovers by accident that if he goes faster than expected he can time travel. Obviously, any Flash fan at this point knows this can only mean one thing: He's going to prevent his mother's death. Moreover, in doing so, we all know this will have catastrophic consequences for reality as we know it. If you're one of the few unfamiliar with Flash's story, the film will explain it you with the aid of tomato sauce can, and spaghetti cooked by none other than Batman, the dark knight.

Production wise,  the scarlet speedster film faced a neverending season of problems that halted and delayed the project for five years. The internet incels, paid & biased media, made it really difficult for Warner Bros to develop a cohesive and coherent cinematic universe. On the one hand,every film, save for Wonder Woman & Aquaman "performed" really well ,although Wonder Woman's sequel flopped despite being released for free on streaming platforms for the pandemic. On the other hand, Aquaman's sequel has been halted and delayed by Amber Heard's divorce, and the many changes Warner Bros fat executives demanded. So in a strange universal alignment, real life problems seem to have defeated the idea of having a shared multiverse. Oh, I forgot the Shazam movies and the Blue Beetle one coming soon. They're also hot garbage, or at most filler material for something that will never be. Enter James Gunn, the new head of the cinematic reboot he promises will change the tide to smooth sailing. However, his The Suicide Squad film wasn't that much of a success. Perhaps, Peacemaker seemed like an original idea, a one hit wonder, in music terms but nothing worth calling groundbreaking.

 

Iris West and her unfinished arc.

His face relates to our experience as fans.

Anyway, going back to The Flash, the film would originally  Superman & Aquaman, and perhaps other Justice League members but nope. Henry Cavil was fired years ago, and despite all the love he gets on the internet, not even The Rock and his Black Adam cameo could save him. Moreover, Warner Bros, and James Gunn just didn't care at what millions of fans were asking for years on the internet. True, we got the Zack Snyder 4 hour cut of the Justice League Warner execs spent years saying it didn't exist. Oh, also that canceled Batgirl film. Not to mention Ezra Miller's legal problems which led a lot of people into boycotting this film.

At this point, we realize we're focusing on corporate business territory we shouldn't give a crap about. Sadly, this is how both social and official media work these days. We are told to celebrate those who get richer, and laugh at those who don't. So where is the art in that? Where are those cinema fans looking for a soul changing experience? Well, they're probably busy buying stuff they don't need.

The batmobile rides again (not)

A nice Supergirl with no future.

So in a world where everything is based on algorithms that will offer customized ads to maintain your brain busy consuming and avoiding at all costs thinking, how hard can it be for another superhero film to make sense? While The Flash flopped in theaters, it's actually doing pretty well on streaming and on-demand services. 

Useless business talk aside, The Flash offers an entertaining story that is outdone by what was happening outside in the real world. Going to the movies knowing this is a standalone project with no future led a lot of people into not buying the movie tickets. How can you root for characters that will never return? For example, Supergirl. Sasha Calle's version of Kara Zor-El while brief, leaves a mark, and a lot of people would have loved to see more of her. Same with Michael Keaton's return as Batman. Fans of his movies were thrilled when the official announcement was made, but nope, no more movies for him too. Moreover, Ben Affleck's Batman also shows up for one final adventure, and I know many people liked his take on the caped crusader. While comparisons are a bitch, the other film example I can think is Rogue One. A film that is completely wasted by the fact everyone knew every main character would die at the end. Bad idea! The viewer needs to establish an emotional interest in character development. If you already know what's coming you simply lose interest. I for one, think The Flash is a good movie, but it could have been larger than life had it not being devoured by behind the scenes trouble.

As above mentioned, time travel changes everything for Barry Allen. The first big change, is he meets a younger version of himself, and this is the best part of the movie. The way Ezra Miller is capable of portraying two very different versions of himself, proves he can act. Sadly, there won't be any more movies to see how much farther he could have expanded the fastest man alive story. 

Zod returns, and where is Superman?

Batfleck's final adventure.

Another interesting occurrence in The Flash is how much they reused from Man Of Steel to tell the main story. But, didn't people hate Man Of Steel? Why choose this particular film to be the setting of the story? I don't think I have an answer for that. Henry Cavil is nowhere to be found in the film, yet we get all his foes back searching for him, while they conveniently adjust the story to offer us Supergirl instead. 

 

Early on the movie also offers the last Justice League moment from the DCU. Batman, The Flash and Wonder Woman. I have to admit I jumped in happiness when she showed up! Gal Gadot did a wonderful job! I do hope she gets a chance to complete her trilogy of films. I mean, James Gunn gave Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn a chance, why stop there? Heads up! there is a rumor that James Gunn, Peter Safran, and Gal Gadot herself are working in Wonder Woman 3 as I'm posting this review.

 

Here to do a man's job.

The lasso of truth delivers the best joke.

 

Plot wise, Barry Allen discovers the mess he caused, so in teaching his younger version how to become The Flash, he loses his powers, which leads to laughter as the inexperienced young Barry attempts to master his powers as fast as he can. Of course, in this new reality there is no Superman, no Justice League, so while the original Barry knows there is no way he can defeat General Zod, because... he was there! In a cleverly placed sequence, we discover he was testing his powers with a proto-suit while Earth was invaded by Kal-El's not so friendly long lost relatives. So with no powers, and a younger version of himself, all they can do is hope The Batman still exists, which to our 40 year old happiness, it actually does! Bruce Wayne, The Batman returns from self-imposed exile, and it's none other than Michael Keaton himself. Tim Burton's Batman is back for one final adventure.

 

The batmobile, the batwing, the batcave and even a collection of bat-suits all return to the big screen bringing mostalgia to its peak once we hear him say "Yes, I'm Batman". However, he'll only help them find this Superman and then hit the sack. The white whale proves to be well guarded by mad scientists and a legion of soldiers. Obviously, Batman is a one man army, so with his aid, our two Barry Allens discover the shocking truth: There is no Superman! only a mysterious female prisoner that goes by the Kara Zor-El name. Phew! We're saved! As soon as she gets some vitamin D, she's ready to wear the red S suit and cape to take down the bad guys and see if she can find his long lost cousin.

 

Just in case, a few extra bat-suits.

 

 

Moving forward is the only way.

 

The concept of time travel in the movie offers one valuable life lesson. What if all the bad stuff in our lives was necessary to make us the people we are today? The question is not only raised by Ben Affleck's Batman, but also by many other characters throughout the film. Changing the past, or erasing it to save the pain, will not always be the best solution to our problems. Moreover, the original Barry realizes some things are impossible to fix, and all he's got left is learning how to come to terms with it.

 

Even though the movie features a lot of DC comics characters, make no mistake, this is a Flash film, he is the main character. His personal drama goes back and forth until he realizes what he really needs to do. The loss of his mother in the hands of a mysterious murderer (we know from comic books it is Reverse Flash,but not here, we're neither told, not shown), and how his father is unfairly sent to jail because of it, play an important part in the film.  

 

Some of the CGI from the movie.

 

Visual effects, or CGI has been one of the most criticized aspects from the film. Although director Andy Muschietti said: “We are in the perspective of The Flash. Everything is distorted in terms of lights and textures. We enter this ‘waterworld’, which is basically being in Barry’s POV.

“It was part of the design so if it looks a little weird to you that was intended,” he added.

All in all, The Flash doesn't win the superhero race, regardless of how fast he can go. The Marvel Cinematic Universe did it first, despite the fact we all know DC Comics came first with many of the most innovative stories and characters in the industry.  People talk about superhero fatigue, and I agree. It's time for the industry to push other kinds of TV Shows and films. We need more variety urgently.

La Mujer Murciélago / The Bat Woman

Dressed for the job you want.

Holy copyright infringement Batman! Today's entry will take us to the warm waters of 1960s Acapulco (Mexico) and the not so safe lands of blatantly stealing somebody else's idea.

La Mujer Murciélago, AKA The Batwoman is a 1968 Mexican wrestling superhero film directed by Rene Cardona and starred by Mexican Italian bombshell Maura Muti. Yes, you read that right "Wrestling superhero" was a popular movie genre in Mexico. In a nutshell, most of these films would have a super powered wrestler aiding the police in solving the weirdest cases: Aliens, vampires, werewolves, mummies, gangsters, imposters, you name it!

Acapulco city is no longer a safe city for wrestlers and fit people. Some madman that goes by the name of Dr. Williams has been plotting murders of the best specimens available: Luchadores! Obviously, the police are too stupid to find out who's behind these surgical precise murders. The FBI sends one of their best agents to aid detectives Mario Robles & Tony Roca: The Batwoman!

A mad scientist that looks like an early Two-Face.

A sea creature! Call Aquaman!

Set to work undercover (because she dresses casual, like everybody else does) Our Batwoman  is actually, Gloria, a rich woman who's champion of all martial art, wrestling and scuba diving. Everyone loves her, and everyone wants to befriend her or fuck her. Being so popular, no one will notice her undercover work at a local gym where the best wrestlers work out.

Why didn't DC Comics notice this movie?

Being so popular with the now classic show, Batman was the number one superhero in the late 60's. Toys, apparel, candy, records, stickers and even a movie and a strong influence over the actual comic book, guaranteed millions of dollars to the property owners. So why didn't DC Comics stopped the production of this rip-off? Perhaps they didn't think their comic books were sold south of the border. Be that as it may, we can't help but notice how shameless this rip-off is:

Like Bruce Wayne, Gloria is a rich loner, master of all martial arts. Check! She also wears a batsuit with the exact same color pattern as Bruce does! check! She has black car with red stripes that kinda looks like the magnificent Batmobile from the original show.

Fight crime with an ergonomic suit.

Look gorgeous at any situation.

So what's original in Batwoman's world?

Well, she's more like a hero wrestler. The likes of El Santo and his many imitators. Also, she fights evil scientists and sea creatures. Not that Batman didn't, but there are subtle differences here. In addition, she wears a skin tight bikini to fight crime. No nip slips, no pubes in broad daylight. On the other hand, Batgirl had a full body suit, or a skirt depending on the version. A lot less kinkier in the source material if I might add.

Another aspect that would make therapy charlatans shit in their pants, is the fact that evil Dr. Williams was ahead of its time! The reason behind murdering perfect athletes is because they can be the best pineal gland donors! Yes, the bad guy is depleting the substance to create the ultimate man-fish warrior! And yet, here you are wasting your money on scam therapies to feel happier! Wait no more and call now! Dr. Williams can turn you into a perfect creature in no time! Oh, wait, you're neither a wrestler nor living in 1968. Oh well, whatever, nevermind!

¡Arriba las manos y abajo la verga!

It's not wise to upset a lady.

Believe it or not, the film did so well in Mexico that they sold it to France & Italy where it caused a big sensation. Sadly, you can't get an official copy of it in the U.S. because, DC Comics! However, it's on YouTube.

Now, what makes this film memorable, is the fact they got away with it, and of course Maura Muti's perfect body. A shame she never posed nude or worked in dirty movies. 

Plotwise, La Mujer Murciélago isn't an original story. As a matter of fact, it plays like a standard wrestler hero movie. The bad guys don't help either. Cloned from 50's horror films Dr. Williams is cliched as fuck. Same with the sea monster which looks to be taken straight from The Creature from the Black Lagoon. On the other hand the action scenes cause a mildly better impression on the viewer. There's an excellent car chase sequence, and while there aren't a lot of fight scenes, they're well staged as well. 

Hands up! panties off!

Sometimes we feel like fucking justice, don't we?

Overall, The Batwoman can be an odd addition to those looking for some entertainment during these pandemic times. Just don't expect too much, enjoy the visual spectacle Maura Muti is.

Here's the movie trailer:

Joker

Put on a happy face!

Wow! just wow! for a 37 year old man that has read comic books since he was 6 years old, I can definitely tell you we've come a long way since the Joker from the 1940's. Not to mention the on screen versions we've been offered by the film & animation industry throughout the years. I can honestly say, this is the best comic book movie of all time, and I'll tell you why on today's review.

It's no secret that superhero films are making a ton of money, and companies are squeezing the hype as much as they can so that you not only buy the movie ticket, but the home version, apparel, funko Pops!, action figures, soundtracks, underwear, and limited edition dildos. Well, I got some news for ya popcorn girl! Joker is unlike any other comic book movie you've ever seen. In fact, Joker makes every other superhero film look like a Saturday cartoon show from the 80's (a glorified TV ad). 

When they announced the end of the DC Comics Extended Universe, I had already grown tired of the superhero hype, so once the Joker's solo film announcement was out, I didn't give a damn about it. I think I stopped reviewing superhero films by the time Avengers Infinity War came out. Good versus bad, green screen and computer generated graphics where just too much for me. Before I was a fan of superhero films, I was a fan of good film making. Movies that brought human emotions to the table, movies that had you questioning your personal decisions on life, or at least discussing for hours how well depicted was mankind every once in a while in one of a kind films. Joker is that every once in a while kind of movie.

Arthur Fleck.

Family ties.

Todd Phillips didn't have a past directing superhero films. Neither did Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro or the co-writer Scott Silver, and yet their working force gave us a unique film. One that will be discussed, analyzed and dissected for decades to come. One that for sure will be imitated in a short term. 

Is it possible to bring to life the most human depiction of a comic book psychopath? Is it possible even when you didn't based your story or characters in some of the must read comic book stories featuring The Joker?  The answer, as unexpected it may be, is a thunderous yes!. Joaquin Phoenix was born to play this role. Every minute you see him, he owns the character with absolute grace. The intensity of his laughter, his theatrical moves, the suffering, the neverending pain easily make you root for team Joker, despite the fact he is a horrible criminal that is way too far from setting the example as a citizen of the year. In addition, and this is what really sets this film apart from all the other superhero flicks, Arthur Fleck (The Joker's name) is not a chosen one type of character. He isn't going to fulfill a destiny, he doesn't have a mission. In fact, he's got absolutely nothing worth fighting for. His whole existence is subdued to being underpaid, looked over the shoulder, misunderstood and most importantly, he's completely loveless. Add his mental condition to the recipe, and you get not one but, millions of potential Joker characters in real life.  Phillip's Joker is a loner, someone who's nothing but a cipher within hundreds of ciphers, someone who's there, but no one sees. Someone who's speaking, but nobody's listening to. Someone who desperately needs serious help from a society that is probably sicker than he already is. Of course, the "support cast" is there too with great characters and some stunning performances that only add more substance to the already established decadent world where everything takes place. 

Talk show man.

Time to shine!

But where's Batman?

The movie title makes it clear: This film is about the Joker alone. Where he started, how he mutated into the legendary criminal everyone knows, and simply there's no room for other comic book characters. My wife said, she's always been fascinated by the character. Every depiction, from César Romero to Heath Ledger offered a different set of nuances on how this 79 year old villain has evolved along with each decade passing by. I have no doubts, Bob Kane, Bill Finger & Jerry Robinson would be immensely proud of this film. Back in the day they worked with what they had. Resources were limited, and censorship created barriers that granted the kid friendly aspects of the character will be secured for as long as possible. Moreover, Alan Moore & Frank Miller only showed a side of the madness behind the character, but didn't quite explorer it as deep as this film does. Batman wise, and this isn't a spoiler because you see them in the trailers, we do get some scenes with Thomas Wayne and a very young Bruce Wayne but then again, this isn't their movie. 

In the past The Joker was confined to the antagonist boundaries, there was always a Batman to be defeated by. In this film, Arthur Fleck fights against his own life, his dreams, the lies he's been told, and the social and mental abuse. This guy just wants to break free, and in doing so, he will be liberated by violence and murder.

The solution to Gotham's crisis.

The future.

Phillips (director) conceived Joker in 2016 and wrote the script with Silver throughout 2017. The two were inspired by 1970s character studies and the films of Martin Scorsese, who was initially attached to the project as a producer. The graphic novel Batman: The Killing Joke (1988) was the basis for the premise, but Phillips and Silver otherwise did not look to specific comics for inspiration. Phoenix became attached in February 2018 and was cast that July, while the majority of the cast had signed on by August. Principal photography lasted from September to December 2018 and took place in New York City, Jersey City, and Newark. Joker was the first live-action Batman film to receive an R-rating from the Motion Picture Association of America, due to its violent and disturbing content. 

Disturbing Reality?

Arthur Fleck is the flesh and bone incarnation of a person with a mental disorder. He laughs uncontrollably because it is a condition, not happiness. Besides, he's a special needs person in 1981. Social security isn't doing much to deliver seven different prescriptions that allegedly don't work. Moreover, he's in charge of his ill mother and he barely makes ends meet. If we set aside the fact this is a movie, and that The Joker is a fictional character, we could easily be in front of a universal mental health system critique. Shrinks don't listen, medicine doesn't work, job opportunities are highly limited, and people don't want "freaks" around them. In addition, and this only applies to the country where this film was made, guns are incredibly accessible, even for people that shouldn't have them for security reasons. In a nutshell, I feel the movie is telling its audience societies in general have a shared responsibility with murderers. The lack of prompt action may feed some mentally unstable people, and drive them into killing themselves or those around them. 

Make that change!

Reveal your true self.

The Beauty behind the beast.

Before Arthur Fleck becomes the beast, he's nothing but a hopeful citizen. He dreams to pursue a career in stand up comedy. He tells everyone her mother told him if there was a reason for him to exist, it's because he's here to bring joy and laughter to the world. He sees no evil, he wants his job, he cares about his colleagues, he always takes good care of his mother, and is a huge fan of Murray Franklin's talk show. One day, he'll be a guest there, and make the whole world laugh with his carefully crafted jokes which he keeps in a notebook. What could go wrong?  

For years I thought Sin City (2005) was the best live action movie based upon a comic book. Today, that changes forever. In fact, I'd even say Christopher Nolan's holy Batman trilogy pales next to the Joker in terms of realism. I urge everyone to go see this movie. I would even recommend it to MCU fans, so that they get a chance of seeing a caffeinated good movie. Remember it's R-Rated for a reason, so make sure your kids stay home. 

Todd Phillips directing DeNiro.

Neighbors.

Production wise, the movie costed around $50 million dollars, a modest budget considering how much is spent in the superhero film industry these days. The soundtrack is plain beautiful! classic songs from Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and an brand new score by Emmy Award-winning composer Hildur Guðnadóttir (Chernobyl, Sicario: Day of the Soldado), whose composition features the cello as the centerpiece of the score, leading string-based melodies played by a symphony orchestra of 90 musicians. WaterTower Music will release the picture disc and colored vinyl editions of the soundtrack on December 13th. The album is already available on digital format in your streaming platform of choice. 

Now, moving on to more interesting stuff, here's a selection of some of the behind the scenes situations that led Joker to be the fantastic movie it is:

Laughter.

Joaquin Phoenix called perfecting the Joker's laugh the toughest part of playing the character.  He based his laugh on "videos of people suffering from pathological laughter." He also sought to portray a character with which audiences could not identify. 


Who's laughing now.

The joke "When I was a little boy and told people I was going to be comedian, everyone laughed at me. Well no one's laughing now" is inspired by the late British comedian Bob Monkhouse's "People used to laugh at me when I said I wanted to be a comedian. Well they're not laughing now." 

Villain or victim?

Joaquin Phoenix was cagey during interviews at the Venice Film Festival when asked about siding with Arthur. Phoenix told press that any questions they might have about "Joker" will be left up to the audience to decide. "The great joy of the film for the audience is that they get to decide for themselves [what to think about Arthur's transformation]," Phoenix said. "That's what I was attracted to. In most movies, certainly in genre movies where there is a hero and the villain, the motivations of the character are clear. What I like about this is that I was never certain what was motivating him. I have my own opinion. I think I know what it is for me. But I wouldn't want to impose on anyone who hasn't seen the movie."  

No DCEU .

This version of Joker exists separately from DCEU movies like Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Justice League--a fact Phillips has been clear about. But at the Toronto International Film Festival recently, the director also insisted that Phoenix's Joker and the upcoming new iteration of Batman played by Robert Pattinson will not collide. "I don't see [Joker] connecting to anything in the future," Phillips said. "This is just a movie." 

Pogo's makeup.

The Joker's make-up is very similar to John Wayne Gacy's, a serial killer who would often entertain children while dressed as Pogo the Clown. This make-up style was shunned by working clowns at the time, as they strictly prohibit "sharp" ends in their make-up, as it scares children. 

Golden Lion Award.

Todd Phillips won the Venice film festival's prize, the Golden Lion, for Best Film. During his acceptance speech, Phillips thanked "Warner Bros. and DC for stepping out of their comfort zone and taking such a bold swing on me and this movie," according to The Hollywood Reporter. Phillips also thanked Phoenix, who joined him on stage. "There is no movie without Joaquin Phoenix. Joaquin is the fiercest and brightest and most open-minded lion I know. Thank you for trusting me with your insane talent," said Phillips. 

-Joaquin Phoenix was good friends with the late Heath Ledger who won an Oscar for his portrayal as The Joker in 2008's The Dark Knight.  

Monster, or...

...helpless victim?

Overall, Joker is the most intense comic book character study film ever made. No other movie will ever come close to what the team behind it delivered here.

Joker, a cautionary tale based upon fictional characters. That's life!

Here's the teaser trailer:

Here's the first trailer:



Here's the second trailer:



here's the third and final trailer:



Here's Joker official Q&A: