The first Joker film served as more than just an origin story for DC Comics’ clown prince of crime and a showcase of Joaquin Phoenix’s phenomenal acting ability, but also an introspective look into the spectrum of mental health. However, not even director Todd Philips’ top notch cinematography and the Oscar winning performances of Phoenix & Lady Gaga, playing her own interpretation of the Harley Quinn character, could save this sequel from feeling as pointless as it did. Between, albeit impressive but misplaced, musical numbers that brought the story to a halt and an unsatisfying courtroom drama narrative that was not worthy of the film that came before, I could already tell that this film was not made with a Joker 3 in mind. Score: 4/10
Noah Robinson 