The Next Evolution of Comic Book Films.

Rating: 9/10 (3 October 2019)

I think Jeremy Jahns said it best, "Joker gives movie fans and movie go-ers the ability to see what comic book fans have seen for years," and I agree.
Granted, Joker is nowhere faithful to the comics' origin and that's okay, because the character Joker only has apocryphal origin. Todd Philips craft a story that reflects the spirit of it's comic book lore with skillful panache. Also true, is that this movie could not have worked half as good if it wasn't for Joaquin Phoenix - he is masterful in making you feel both uncomfortable but empathetic in understanding the mind of a psychotic killer and at once not justifying nor condoning the choices that his character makes.
He is after all a villain, and Phoenix has shaped and chiseled a fine villain here.
In a recent interview, Phoenix commented that he did not refer to any previous incarnations or interpretations of the Joker and I think it shows. He fully owns the character here; this is his Joker - a raw, gritty, grimy and unpolished Joker - and even though in my opinion it's not as good as Heath Ledger's, Phoenix's performance can proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with Ledger's.
Other notables is the really good sound design, original soundtrack and score, of which really adds to the atmosphere of the film, I would recommend watching in a Dolby Atmos theater, as well as the above average cinematography that captures both figuratively and literally the filth and decay that infests Gotham.
The movie is not perfect (though I understand why many would deem so). I find that in the end, I wanted more Joker. I am fine with Arthur Fleck and the buildup towards the Joker is necessary and I was entertained. But I wanted more Joker. I wanted more of the mayhem, more carnage, and more dark humor. Joker 2019 had some jokes, but it was contained in the last third of the movie.
The movie is also deliberately slow paced, but the end is worth it. Arthur Flecks slow descent and ultimate transformation into the Joker is a gratifying moment for comic book fans and even non-comic book readers who have arduously discussed and imagined this character for decades. This is the best deep dive of Joker that you're going to get out a film.
Still, I believe that this is a fantastic leap forward for comic book films, just as the Dark Knight was a leap forward of the genre in 2008. After the tiresome though admittedly entertaining decade of MCU popcorn flicks, we who grew up with them are ready for something more and Joker delivers.