MovieChat Forums > Joker (2019) Discussion > Expertly crafted, but needed more action

Expertly crafted, but needed more action

posted 5 years ago by PrimeMinisterX (8708)
6 replies | jump to latest

Even taking into account that Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix were going for more of a Taxi Driver-esque character piece, there was still too little time spent with JP in Joker mode.

I kept waiting to get to the part of the film (the entire second half, I assumed going into it) when we'd get some full-on Joker action where he terrorizes the city with his minions, and that just doesn't happen. We never get there. It's called "Joker" but it felt as it this entire film was ultimately a big tease for a sequel where we actually get to see a story focused on the fully-developed version of that character.

It's rare that I think movies need to be LONGER than they are. Usually I am the one saying that a film could've been trimmed down. But in this case, I thought there could've been another hour and the film would've been much stronger for it.

At the moment when the Joker is standing on the car, in the middle of the clown mob, it felt to me that that was the beginning of a new act of the story, where we finally get to see the Joker break bad on the world . . . but then it was over.

[–] fzane (1105) 5 years ago

This was primary a cash grab using the name of The Joker. So, adding those action scenes you mention would have actually cost money, and cut into their profits. ;-)

[–] actionkamen (23176) 5 years ago

I do think so too. However, I also understand where the filmmakers stand. See, with the critics and media already bashing them for "glorifying violence" when there aren't any violence glorifications in the movie.

Imagine how berserk they would be had the second half of the movie actually shows the Joker wreak havoc murdering people, the police and what not. I noticed that they even put in the news that the two police officers mobbed by the protesters in the subway train survived and in stable condition. They took great lenghts just to make sure.

I guess, the producers / studio don't want to risk that. Afterall, it's their money there, at the front line. In the end, it's still a show-biz.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8708) 5 years ago

Ha, you know, there was this big build up in the media about how violent the film is when, in reality, there are only like four significant moments of violence in the entire film. When it IS violent, it is violent in a realistic and graphic way, but those scenes are few and far between.

With the way the film has been portrayed--Oh no! This film is so fucking violent! We're heightening security at the theaters!--I really expected much more. I kept waiting for, as you put it, "the Joker wreaking havoc and murdering people," but it never came. It was like this build up, build up, build up but with no payoff. It's like a bomb that never explodes.

[–] actionkamen (23176) 5 years ago

Yeah. I think the filmmakers also already expected that. Somehow it also can be said to be beneficial for the marketing anyway.

What I actually wanted is that the movie should end abruptly right after the Joker stood on the car. He woke up, looked around, people cheering on him, and then do the blood smear lipstick thing, close up, black screen (while we hear Joker's maniacal laugh.)

Then show a few snippets (picture-in-picture) of Gotham City in utter chaos, news broadcast style while the credit rolls.

The asylum scene then could be put as a Marvel-esque post-credit scene with young intern Harley Quinzel in the background while the ill-fated doctor examines Arthur. Or not. I don't think it's important, just a cool factor.

[–] mikeflatley (761) 5 years ago

I concur. Yeh dat last hospital seen wuz dumb way 2 end.

[–] mikeflatley (761) 5 years ago

Too much use of gun. Wat happened 2 knivez? Oh dat wuz last guy!

Also dis is 70s Romero joker. Hate the colorz. Purple so much cooler, Heath joker is prolly coolest joker ever on screen. He wuz kool kat. I’ll watch again on tnt today. So much better.

On action, when there wuz actually some like police chasin him, dat wuz actually purdy good and fun. I almost 4got how grate action is in a movie lol. But then it got borin again. Da writing is not strong enuf as in Nolan movie. Wud luv 2 see a Tarantino joker movie. Now dat wud be a grate joker movie.