Thanks to Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment, we had a chance to review the “Joker: Folie À Deux” Blu-Ray combo pack with our very own copy!
Below is our description and analysis of the product:
Be sure to pick up your copy starting 12/17/2024!
About Joker: Folie À Deux – From acclaimed writer/director/producer Todd Phillips comes Joker: Folie À Deux, the follow-up to 2019’s Academy Award-winning Joker, which earned more than $1 billion at the global box office. The new film stars Joaquin Phoenix once again in his Oscar-winning dual role as Arthur Fleck/Joker, opposite Oscar winner Lady Gaga (“A Star Is Born”). Joker: Folie À Deux debuts for purchase and rental Digitally at home on October 8.
- On October 29, Joker: Folie À Deux will be available for early Premium Digital
Ownership at home and for 48-hour rental via PVOD on participating digital platforms
where you purchase or rent movies, including Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google
Play, Fandango at Home, and more.
- On December 17, Joker: Folie À Deux will be available to own on 4K UHD, Blu-ray
and DVD from online and physical retailers. Joker: Folie À Deux will also continue to
be available to own in high definition and standard definition from participating digital
retailers.
Joker: Folie À Deux finds Arthur Fleck institutionalized at Arkham awaiting trial for his crimes
as Joker. While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love, but
also finds the music that’s always been inside him.
The film also stars Oscar nominees Brendan Gleeson (The Banshees of Inisherin) and Catherine Keener (Get Out, Capote), alongside Zazie Beetz, reprising her role from Joker.
Phillips, who was nominated for Oscars for directing, writing and producing Joker, directed
Joker: Folie À Deux from a screenplay by fellow Oscar nominee Scott Silver & Phillips, based on characters from DC. The film was produced by Phillips, Oscar nominee Emma Tillinger Koskoff and Joseph Garner. Lady Gaga served as music consultant. The film’s executive producers are Michael E. Uslan, Georgia Kacandes, Silver, Mark Friedberg and Jason Ruder.
DIGITAL, 4K, BLU-RAY & DVD ELEMENTS
Joker: Folie À Deux Premium Digital Ownership, 4K UHD and Blu-ray contain the following
special features:
4K UHD
- Everything Must Go (4 Part Longform Documentary)
o Can I Have A Cigarette?
o Finding Lee
o A Hundred Films In 1
o King of Nothing
- The Character Of Music
- Live! With The Joker
- Colors Of Madness
- Crafted With Class
HNS Review: The sequel to DC’s standalone villain film has been one of the most discussed films of the year. It has garnered some polarizing responses, most of which pertain to the musical elements and conclusion to Arthur’s story. While I can understand how some audiences were disappointed with the end result, I believe the film takes some bold chances. While not every swing is successful, certain elements of the film are shocking and thought provoking. Director Todd Phillips certainly did something different here, exploring Arthur’s condition further and combating the reasons his Joker persona made such an impact. I always appreciate a distinct vision that puts the characters at the forefront. While “Joker: Folie À Deux” doesn’t reach the heights of the original, it still challenges audience expectations and provides a thoughtful look at fame, self-worth, and mental illness. I enjoyed the complexity of the story and believe it is a nice pairing with the first film!
About the Product: What really catches the eye about this product is the first glance at the cover sleeve. We see one of the theatrical posters of Arthur and Harley staring at the viewer with an intimidating gaze. Highlighted by some shiny color contrasts, the look is sleek and effective. The package also allows buyers to watch the blu-ray disc at home or with a digital code. This allows viewers access to the film anywhere at any time. Fans of the character or DC Comics will certainly enjoy adding this one to the collection.
About the Special Features:
Extras:
Everything Must Go – This segment is split up into four separate videos. Something that really stood out was the idea that the world is getting crazier. Todd Phillips expressed that the tensions, divisions, and COVID pandemic played into Arthur’s observation that the world is growing increasingly unstable. Phillips decided to use a mix of professional actors and individuals who have previous prison/hospital experience. This enhanced the tone and realistic environment of the film. This is also true for the color they used on set, where the black and white emphasized the dreary nature of Arthur’s life. But when he meets Lee, it becomes more colorful and hopeful. Lady Gaga’s musical background and theatrical presentation worked nicely into her portrayal of Harley. Phoenix and Gaga challenged each other in great ways to bring out the best versions of their characters. It is noted that the filmmaking process and plans were constantly changing, which makes sense due to the chaotic mind of the two lead characters. Seeing how they shot different takes of the Gary Puddles scene was interesting. This was my favorite sequence of the film so hearing about the different ways they thought about crafting the scene was fun. Lots of fans showed up to see the shooting of the stair sequence, so the cast had to ignore them while using the constant energy New York City always has. The film is always highlighting the idea of exploring who your true self is and the masks we create in order to belong. Phillips seemed to convey the desire (from the beginning) to do something creative and different rather than play it safe.
The Character of Music – Phillips wanted to do something bold and different by implementing music throughout the story. When the characters broke into song, it was meant to showcase that these were things that could not be said, but sung. The play on classic songs were meant to be comfort for Arthur as they are likely ones he is familiar with. Recording the music live added a sense of authenticity to the emotion the characters were feeling in each scene. I enjoyed seeing how composer Hilder Gudnadóttir’s music was essentially a character in its own right. I always enjoyed how much it played into the mood and themes of both “Joker” films.
Crafted with Class – The sets were built to convey the grandness of each sequence. Whether it be the courtroom, Arkham, or the cityscape, the idea was that the sets were meant to make the actors and crew feel as if they were truly integrated into that environment. They also helped audiences understand the duality and fantasy in the minds of Arthur and Lee.
Colors of Madness – The color grading throughout the film is meant to symbolize how Arthur is feeling. When we see him in his darker moments, the grey aesthetic is prominent. But when he meets Harley and escapes into his fantasy, the color pops off the screen. This was an excellent way to convey mood while telling a story largely through color. Lighting was also an important aspect of conveying the hues in each scene. Todd Phillips was using experimental techniques and perspectives to give the film a distinct creative imprint.
Live! With Joker – The Looney Tunes style opening had a unique transition to the rest of the film, as if the inmates were running the asylum. Using animation to begin the film was something Phillips had never done, but the unexpected presentation of the scene had me guessing how the rest of the story would go. The contrast of the happy/silly nature of cartoons with the dark themes of the film made for an uneasy foreshadowing of events. I loved the classic Warner Bros. animation style that they used with the Looney Tunes.
Check out more from Hollywood News Source here.
