by canofhumdingers » Sun Sep 01, 2019 6:04 pm
TIME review:
I don’t normally pay much attention to reviews other than to get a very general idea about the possible quality of a film. But man, this sounds like it is EXACTLY the film I was hoping against hope that it would NOT be. The trailers didn’t do anything to placate my concerns, but this review confirms all my worst fears. It sounds like the people in charge of this film could not possibly misunderstand the Joker character any more.
I know some of us have had disagreements about 2019’s GKOTM being tone-deaf. But if this review is accurate, I cannot think of a more appropriate description than completely and utterly tone-deaf.
I think one of the reasons Heath Ledger in TDK is still so highly regarded is, despite some pretty drastic departures from tradition with his appearance, at the core the filmmakers absolutely understood who the joker is and what makes him so fearsome and such a compelling villain. He’s not misunderstood. He’s not a poor sap who society abandoned. He’s an evil person who knowingly and gladly chooses evil because he likes it. He likes the power it gives him over people. He likes the freedom from conscience that allows him to do utterly heinous things without a care. This new film could not be more opposite from that essential core element if it tried.