2024 has been a banner year for movies (despite what social media and some people may have you think) and a strange one for Warner Brothers. Before diving into the home release of Joker: Folie à Deux, I want to dive into the year for Warner Bros. Pictures. They released the sequel everyone was clamoring for with Dune: Part Two, which may have been the best use of IMAX in 2024, yet that atmosphere is missing from then home release. Then, on the theatrical side, they absolutely fumbled what may be Clint Eastwood’s last theatrical release, Juror #2, which was also simply fantastic. So, when looking at theatrical and home releases this year, Warner Brothers has been simply inconsistent, and we won’t ever start with the Looney Tunes conversation, either.
L-R: Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck/Joker and Lady Gaga as Lee Quinzel in Warner Bros. Pictures’ JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX, a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Niko Tavernise & DC Comics. © 2024 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
While my opinion of Joker: Folie à Deux may be in the minority (it was something I enjoyed significantly and more details of why can be found in my theatrical release review), there is a lot to love about its home release on 4K. It is not bare bones, it has the IMAX changing aspect ratio included, and the 4K restoration pops and looks better than it even did in theatres (and my theatrical viewing was a laser IMAX presentation, so the theatrical viewing shouldn’t have been a little muted). What needs to be discussed is that not *every* movie that is shot in IMAX gets home releases that coincide with the IMAX aspect ratio change; it’s usually reserved for movies that benefit from it and, moreover, movies that deserve the treatment. I am a firm believer that not *everything* needs to be in a format, let alone IMAX, and Joker: Folie à Deux certainly didn’t need it (a large screen with incredible audio, yes; an IMAX aspect ratio, no), but the fact that it’s included in this 4K (no combo pack but with digital code) home release is nice and just begs the question why something like Dune: Part Two didn’t get it for its home release.
L-R: Joaquin Phoenix and director Todd Phillips on the set of Warner Bros. Pictures’ JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Niko Tavernise/™ & © DC Comics. © 2024 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC.
There is over an hour’s worth of special features, which do not include a commentary track — which is most impressive especially considering the fan reaction to the movie. The most interesting feature, which is *mostly* safe to watch without watching the movie first, is “Colors of Madness,”’ which talks about the roles coloring and colors have in the film itself. Without spoiling the movie, Fleck’s (Joaquin Phoenix) world is dark and muted until Lee (Lady Gaga) enters the scene and brings energy to the lifelessness of Fleck’s perspective and existence at this point. “Colors of Madness” truly speaks to that and dissects the importance of color and vibrancy in the film, bringing something that I didn’t connect with watching the first and second time but now was more evident after watching this special feature and then re-watching the film for a third time. While it’s not a black and white/monochrome movie until Lee is introduced, it’s certainly more muted and brings to life a new palette with her introduction.
L-R: Steve Coogan as Paddy Myers, Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, and Catherine Keener as Maryanne Stewart in Warner Bros. Pictures’ JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX, a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Niko Tavernise & DC Comics. © 2024 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Seeing the 4K, this certainly helps expand that understanding, as well. As previously mentioned, my first viewing was in laser projection and there truly shouldn’t have been anything dark or muddled, but watching it in 4K at home allows the colors and atmosphere to pop more when needed and feel more secluded and muddled when intended to. The biggest special feature, though, is “Everything Must Go,” which is broken down into four segments and comes in at just under 45 minutes talking about Joker, casting Lee, and everything else sort of like a behind-the-scenes featurette. Finishing the list are “The Character of Music,” “Crafted with Class,” and “Live! with The Joker,” truly an exceptional display of features boasting a beautiful 4K home release that is perfect for the fans of the film (and, yes, we do exist) and for people who didn’t go see the movie but are cautiously curious.
L-R: Lady Gaga, Joaquin Phoenix, director Todd Phillips, and Leigh Gill on the set of Warner Bros. Pictures’ JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX, a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Niko Tavernise/™ & © DC Comics. © 2024 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC.
Overall, this release of Joker: Folie à Deux shocks as a digital copy is included but not a Blu-ray, but removes any doubt at the quality and care put into this home release when the play button is pressed. The opening Looney Tunes spoof cartoon is vibrant, colorful, and even better at home, while the rest of the feature boasts an absolutely beautiful, clean, crisp picture with bursts of color and whimsy. The extras are over-flowing with behind-the-scenes featurettes and other features, making this home release a true bounty of wonders. Joker: Folie à Deux may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but everything is subjective, and it is definitive that this home releases is not a joker in the deck.
Joker: Folie à Deux Special Features:
- The Character of Music
- Live! with The Joker
- Colors of Madness
- Crafted with Class
- Everything Must Go (4 Part Longform Documentary)
- Can I Have A Cigarette?
- Finding Lee
- A Hundred Films in One
- King of Nothing
Available on digital October 29th, 2024.
Available on Max December 13th, 2024.
Available on 4K UHD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K steelbook December 17th, 2024.
For more information, head to the official Warner Bros. Pictures Joker: Folie à Deux website.
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Categories: Films To Watch, Home Release, Recommendation
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