By Melissa Antoinette Garza
It’s nice to finally be excited about something that isn’t something terrible. Cards on the table, I’m bias. I’ve loved The Joker since I can remember. One of my earliest crushes was on Cesar Romero. Even at 4 years old, something about the make-up, the hair, the whole ensemble, make me root for The Joker and against Batman. I also admittedly have a thing for underdogs and overall villains.
I loved Jack Nicholson in the role and what is there to say that hasn’t been said about Heath Ledger’s performance. He owned the role so much so I feared it would be a long time before seeing The Joker on the big screen again. As I don’t pay attention to the DC Universe unless The Joker is involved, that was a downer for me. I can honestly say, I’m pretty certain Leto will not only make the role his own, but may even surpass the previous performances.
Then I heard about SUICIDE SQUAD and the casting of Jared Leto. I was thrilled to have the character back and was open to Leto. He’s a great actor. CHAPTER 27 (2007) about Mark David Chapman, the man who killed John Lennon, was an amazing flick because of his portrayal.
When the first picture of Leto was released and some were in an uproar about the tattoos and teeth, it didn’t bother me. With all the different animated and live action versions of The Joker, I saw nothing that broke any sacred rule of what the character is supposed to be. As more of him was shown, the more on-spot, I thought the look was. From the little we’ve seen, it matches his portrayal. Not to mention, it’s drop dead SEXY. I see a little 1970s David Bowie meeting Brandon Lee’s The Crow.
Then there was Harley Quinn. To be honest, at first glance I thought the role was being portrayed by COMMUNITY (2009) actress Gillian Jacobs which would have been great. Instead, I found out it was Margot Robbie and by the trailers alone, it looks like she not only nailed it, but brought some real power and strength to a character that is often shown as weak and led by The Joker.
I have always been fascinated by the relationship between The Joker and Harley Quinn. MAD LOVE is my favorite comic and favorite episode of BATMAN THE ANIMATED SERIES. Many people, including my own LoveLove and husband Stephen Garza, loves the comic, but dislikes The Joker’s physical abuse toward Harley Quinn. Oddly, I don’t have a problem with it. This sounds horrible, but the way that I see it is the Joker is a bad guy and he does bad things. It wouldn’t make sense to have a guy who is willing to murder and maim, but toward Harley he was docile and meek. I do prefer the stronger Harley Quinn who fights back and I love that rather than be upset, he actually likes it.
Now for the movie, Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) is a high-ranking government official who is ruthless in her aim to uphold National Security. She decides to run a secret operation recruiting the most insane and despicable criminals from prison promising lighter sentences if they accomplish the mission and death if they don’t.
One of the individuals released is Harley Quinn. For those unfamiliar with the comics, Quinn was once a psychologist who was assigned to The Joker. He manipulated her and she fell hard for his lines. Dr. Harleen Quinzel was then reborn into Harley Quinn. For more information, read MAD LOVE or watch the cartoon. It’s totally worth it.
So, the Joker is upset that Harley Quinn is with the Suicide Squad and he’s obsessed with her. She is even more dedicated and obsessed with him. He decides that he’s going to bring her back and doesn’t give a damn about anyone in the Suicide Squad. He’s the villain of the villains.
The movie will thankfully depict the transition of Harley Quinn and there’s even a Harley Quinn movie in the works.
I literally cannot wait for this movie. I’m on edge. I have my IMAX 3D tickets for an early show on August 4th at which time I’m sure I’ll be reviewing this. My expectations couldn’t be higher and they only grow with each trailer being released.
Kudos to the casting director in seeing Leto’s talent. One of the individuals considered was Ryan Gosling and I can’t really see him in the role. Leto on the other hand, owns it. He commands so much attention and carries the gravitas of the megalomaniac he’s portraying.
Below I’ve included the trailers concerning The Joker and Harley Quinn’s romance. I’m hoping at the end, they’re together and on the run. They’re too HOT of a couple to break up. Insane, destructive, and obsessed equals pure entertainment. Not to mention, the chemistry between Robbie and Leto pour off the screen when The Joker and Quinn kiss in the trailer.
Not sure if you’re as excited as I am, but I’m hoping this makes more than expected and The Joker and Quinn don’t die anytime soon.
SUICIDE SQUAD (FINAL TRAILER)
HARLEY QUINN TRAILER
THE JOKER TRAILER
