Joker: Folie à Deux [4K Ultra HD + Digital]
(Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Zazie Beetz, et al / 4K Ultra HD + Digital / R / 2024 / Studio Distribution Services)
Overview: 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.
4K UHD Blu-ray Verdict: Warner Bros. Entertainment is expanding their 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray catalog offerings this month with the release of the highly-anticipated Joker: Folie à Deux (4K Ultra HD + Digital) in the expansive 4K Ultra HD video format this December 17th, 2024.
For my money, this Joker: Folie à Deux (4K Ultra HD + Digital) sharpness takes a fairly large step forward from others in their 4K Ultra HD catalog and even comes with HDR (High Dynamic Range) for the complete 4K Ultra HD experience, of course.
So, what we have is Joker: Folie à Deux presented to us as a one-disc with a sheet for a Digital HD Copy. Other stand out points you should know are: Codec: HEVC / H.265, Resolution: Native 4K (2160p), HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10, Aspect ratio: 2.20:1, 1.90:1 AND Original aspect ratio: 2.20:1.
Featuring Dolby Vision and HDR10 for brighter, deeper, and way more lifelike colors, as with most all 4K UHDs, everything that we watch features these qualities - but somehow, this film gloriously shines within them all.
Noticeably crisp with the overall clarity receiving an obvious boost here on this release, what is more is that it is enjoyably noticeable. For as well as some new nuances to the somewhat drab palette courtesy of Dolby Vision, we also get to witness sudden bright pops of color, which makes the eyes draw in, for sure.
One of those moments also happens to be the best of the film, where in the scene we will call the Musical Number Scene, where The Joker takes the spotlight, beginning with an innovative tap dance! Culminating alongside Harlequin, it truly feels like the official music video to the original film, much similar to the ones they used to produce in the 90’s/early 00’s for MTV, etc.
As for the audio, well we get the choice of: English: Dolby Atmos and English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit).
Overall, this is a very strong 4K HDR Blu-ray presentation, and, for the most part, the audio track remains fairly similar to its DTS-HD counterpart; with much of the action occupying the surrounds with outstanding directionality and placement where effects flawlessly pan between the sides and rears.
As for the film itself, well, have you ever danced alone in a room, guided by music coming exclusively from your head, or read a book that broadened your horizons, disturbed your previous convictions, forced you to change? Have you ever looked into someone’s eyes so deeply, felt someone else’s soul and the infinity of existence in those pupils? Have you been consumed?
If your answer is no, it’s obvious why this movie is not for you. Mediocre thinking has led you to the conclusion that a villain must have a hero to fight against. This movie is NOT about good and bad guys and how a superhero will defeat a sick psychopath. The fight is solely within ourselves, us against the shadow that we were and that we can become. What is the biggest driver for fighting with ourselves, with the anxieties that the world burdens us with, where to find the right motive valuable enough so that every time we wipe the floor, we get up again ready for another round.
Money, fame, recognition, beauty, power? The answer is precisely in every aspect, the words and songs of our hero Arthur Fleck and Harley. That’s love. And what is the closest way to feel the storm of euphoria when you are next to someone you love, than through a musical symphony. Tracks such as Get Happy, To Love Somebody, Gonna Build A Mountain and of course That’s Life performed by Lady Gaga perfectly approximated the crazy romance and constant Arthur Fleck’s fight with his, I believe, alter ego in the form of the Joker.
The fact that we were watching an ordinary man, no super villain, is confirmed by his reaction when he was finally able to embrace his role as the Joker. He felt power, support, belonging, and despite everything, he finally became interesting and funny to someone, but he chose none of that, but to heal the absence of love that he never really had.
Which shows us another reason why people didn’t like this movie. They expected a crazy killer who stomps people with his club and gets a prelude to his villainous era, while they got a vulnerable, unstable and in love man, who would like to take off the mask and be who he is, and that is hurt.
Of course, the broad dullness of the masses through social networks made it impossible to give a chance to anything that does not immediately and constantly hold their attention, alienation from emotion, listening to superficial and generic music and finally the inability to understand any artistic metaphor led to the fact that the film it turns out to be a flop.
To conclude, the film is solid, interesting with minor problems with pacing. It has strong emotion, satisfying acting and a perfect ending. The failed fate of this film reinforced the whole point of the film, which is that people don’t understand madness or any more abstract emotion and condemn anything that is different from what is widely represented and trendy.
Joker: Folie à Deux gave everyone the opportunity to step out of their comfort zone, some did it, while some, unfortunately, remained cocooned. Nonetheless, watch this film and make up your own minds, and don’t be sheep and get fooled by the so-called knowledgeable journalistic masses!
Joker: Folie à Deux Premium Digital Ownership, 4K UHD and Blu-ray contain the following special features:
Everything Must Go (4 Part Longform Documentary)
Can I Have A Cigarette?
Finding Lee
A Hundred Films In One
King of Nothing
The Character Of Music
Live! With The Joker
Colors Of Madness
Crafted With Class
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 29.
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 | Official Trailer | Warner Bros. Entertainment