Joker 2 CinemaScore Is the Worst Grade for a Comic Book Film

As a seasoned gamer and movie enthusiast with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the reception for “Joker: Folie ? Deux” has left me more puzzled than a particularly challenging level in Silent Hill. The D grade from CinemaScore, coupled with the abysmal audience and critic scores on Rotten Tomatoes, is truly unprecedented for a comic book adaptation, surpassing even the dismal ratings of movies like “Batman & Robin” and “Catwoman.

It appears that audiences aren’t particularly fond of the movie “Joker: Folie ? Deux,” directed by Todd Phillips. This musical sequel, featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, has garnered an unusual D grade from CinemaScore, a system that gauges a film’s popularity by surveying audiences on its opening night. Similarly uncommon is the agreement between critics and viewers in their rejection of the R-rated DC film. On Rotten Tomatoes, “Joker 2” currently holds a “rotten” rating of 33% across both the Tomatometer (critics’ score) and the Popcornmeter (audience score). This is even worse than the critically panned and financially disappointing films “Borderlands” and “Megalopolis,” which received a D+ grade from CinemaScore.

In contrast to the 2019 film Joker, which garnered a B+ from CinemaScore and grossed over $1 billion worldwide, Joker 2 received a lower score. In fact, it holds the dubious distinction of having the lowest CinemaScore among all comic book movies in their 45-year record. The 2015 adaptation of Marvel’s Fantastic Four, produced by Fox, previously held this position with a C- grade.

Have you seen “FOLIE A DEUX” with The Joker tonight? We’re eager to know your thoughts about it. #TheJokerMovie #CinemaGrade

— CinemaScore (@CinemaScore) October 5, 2024

Movies based on comic books that received scores around C+ include Batman & Robin, The Spirit, Jonah Hex, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, R.I.P.D., and Morbius starring Jared Leto. The 2019 Hellboy reboot was the first comic book movie to earn a C grade since Virus in 1999, a score not seen since Superman IV: The Quest for Peace in 1987. Even Catwoman from 2004, often considered one of the worst comic book movies, managed to achieve a B grade, as did Green Lantern from 2011.

In its D rating, Joker 2 has now been grouped alongside movies such as Wing Commander (1999), American Psycho (2000), Jeepers Creepers (2001), The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004), The Happening (2008), The Last Exorcism (2010), Movie 43 (2013), and The Snowman (2017).

In a 2016 interview, CinemaScore founder Ed Mintz explained their poll strategy as focusing on the audience that turns out for movies on Friday nights. He clarified that this doesn’t mean they simply aim to give every movie an A grade, but rather, grades will lean towards higher ratings due to a built-in curve in their system to account for this bias. Mintz further explained that A grades indicate good movies, B grades are questionable, and C grades are poor, while Ds and Fs suggest the filmmakers should reconsider their approach or marketing strategy.

In the movie “Folie ? Deux,” Oscar winners Joaquin Phoenix plays Arthur Fleck, while Lady Gaga portrays Harleen “Lee” Quinzel. Brendan Gleeson, known for his role in “The Banshees of Inisherin,” takes on the character Jackie Sullivan, a guard at Arkham State Prison. Catherine Keener, famous from “Get Out,” is Arthur’s lawyer, Maryanne Stewart. Zazie Beetz, starring in “Deadpool 2,” portrays Arthur’s former neighbor, Sophie Dumond. Steve Coogan, known for his work on the “Alan Partridge” comedies, plays interviewer Paddy Meyers, and Harry Lawtey, from “Industry,” portrays Gotham Assistant District Attorney Harvey Dent in this film.

2024-10-05 11:40

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