I'm seeing it tonight. The reviews from friends are all solid. That cat is creepy

The film itself is pretty damn good, even if Taxi Driver is pretty obvious in it, but JP's performance is absolutely amazing.

It's very slow building but the payoff at the end makes it all worth it. I think Joaquin Phoenix is definitely the best Joker since Heath Ledger.

IMO it's a one-shot, not canon and with no obligated ties to the DCU. It's great to make references back to the Universe, but it's not part of it in any way...which frees it from the "comic book movie" constraints and lets it be one of the best dark-psych thrillers I've ever seen.

* - the non-canon, one-shot Joker comic Alan Moore wrote, for those not in the know.

And that it was in fact a character study. Once you realize that Arthur is the star and Batman isn't coming (even though Bruce Wayne and his parents are characters in the film) then it is brilliant.

And I do think Phoenix is as good, if not better than Heath (I'm an 80s kid, my heart is forever with Jack though)- my issue is with the calls for a sequel or integration into the DCU.

That's not what this movie was for or about. It's a one-shot look into what made The Joker who he is, and that's the beginning and end of it, IMO.

this movie demands many sequels for sure. Hoping to see some serious movies coming from this

This is the film version of The Killing Joke, a standalone masterpiece. Let it be referenced and tied in, sure, but no more.

with the right screenplay.

A sequel?

Removing the comforts of the present day allows for a better plot: No instant communication via Smartphone. No online-communities for emotional support. And dramatic cigarette-smoking in the hospital is somehow allowed.

Are you not surprised yet entertained?

Jack Nicholson was a manic mobster.
Heath Ledger was a violent anarchist.
Joaquin Phoenix' Joker was a mentally ill murderer.
Jared Leto's Joker was... a nobody.

Jared Leto's Joker had none of the gravitas, presence and drama. The entire character reeked of desperation. Desperately trying to look cool and dangerous and cray-cray. "Everybody look at me! Look how crazy I am! HEY! LOOK!"

Jared Leto's Joker custom-ordered grills for his teeth. Can you imagine ANY other version of the Joker being that obsessed with his looks while simultaneously having THAT bad of a taste? At least Jack Nicholson's Joker was a man of style.

Jared Leto's Joker walked into a tattoo-shop, sat down with the tattoo-artist and said:
"Now, I want you to tattoo 'Hahahahaha' on my forehead. I want you to use this font and this font-size. I want the tattoo to go from here to here. Oh, and I want the color to be nice black that contrasts with my make-up."

Leto is insane, and sometimes very good (see Blade Runner), but mostly a raving lunatic.

His "Joker" is, in fact, a joker, and is therefore persona non grata in the rogue's gallery of Jokers. He simply does not exist.

So, please do not ever mention him in my presence again.

On a serious note, Leto actually tried to get the Phoenix Joker shot down in favor of his own cray cray shitshow - https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/youve-got-stop-jared-leto-fumed-new-joker-movie-1247699

My 12 year old granddaughter wanted to go. So to get a little time with her, we went. I'll have to say it was one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. It is Oscar worthy.

That was not an appropriate film for a 12 year old.

in my opinion it depends on the maturity of the child and communication with family i.e. parents ,grandparents. She's more mature than my 22 year old grandson. She also knows if she has questions about anything and I mean anything we will talk about it or if we don't know we will help her find out.

But my gut feeling is that it definitely wasn't a movie for kids.

they'd give it to him for an uplifting role.