Joker becomes highest rated comic book movie ever

It’s early days, but film critics are suggesting Joker could become the best comic book movie of all time.

There’s no question that comic book movies have recently evolved into a behemoth in the film industry. The draw of their incredible CGI effects, mesmeric action, and epic sound production is flooding multiplexes the world over with record audiences. Notably, Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame grossed $1.2 billion in its opening weekend.

However, it appears a comic book movie that breaks this archetypal mould in favour of a more grounded and affecting story is winning film buffs over like no other example of the genre. Todd Phillips’ R-rated Joker has already made serious waves in the industry and it’s a month away from its global release.

The movie is currently rated 9.7/10 on IMDb; putting it ahead of The Dark Knight (9.0/10), Endgame (8.5/10) and Infinity War (8.4/10), while boasting an impressive 87% on Rotten Tomatoes’ critic consensus. It’s also rumoured that it’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival last weekend provoked an eight-minute standing ovation from awed viewers as credits rolled.

This stand-alone origin story centres entirely around Batman’s iconic arch nemesis, but is in no way beholden to the character’s comic book roots. Indelibly portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix (yes, that’s pointy foil hat head from Signs) the biopic follows aspiring comedian and clown-for-hire Arthur Fleck.

We’ve gleaned from the trailers and promotional materials  that sadly it appears jokes are on him more often than not. Caught in a cynical existence of mostly apathy and cruelty, this gritty character study seems to descend rapidly once the three-piece comes out. It’s orange this time btw.

Perhaps unavoidably, Phoenix’s role is being compared to Heath Ledger’s Oscar winning incarnation, and people are already opposing the notion that Phoenix may one-up The Dark Knight villain. However – bear with us Gen Zers – fans once said that Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of the Joker in 1989 would never be topped, and how wrong were they? (I mean technically it’s a matter of opinion, but adopt the correct one).