'I've seen Joker: Folie à Deux and it's a complete mess compared to the masterpiece original'

Hold on a tick... what have they done to Joker?

The original was a work of art. This, however, falls short.

We still have Joaquin Phoenix delivering an outstanding performance as the unhinged clown Arthur Fleck.

But someone had the bright spark to transform Joker into a musical. Yes, you heard right.

So we have Lady Gaga and Totally Gaga dancing around a bleak prison for what feels like an eternity. Actually, it is an eternity, reports the Daily Star.

There's a palpable sense of impending horror as Fleck heads toward his trial for the murders he committed in the first film.

The fuse is lit, but it fizzles out repeatedly before a truly impressive finale. By that point, I'd noticed quite a few people sneaking out of the cinema.

The film meanders from typical prison fare to standard courtroom drama. Much of it is laughably bad.

A judge's gavel bangs, a dream sequence delivers a dose of violence, then it's time for another song. Yawn.

As before, Joker is a hero to his misguided followers in Gotham City. A mad criminal with a painted face blindly followed by fools and failures? As if that could ever happen in America.

Perhaps I'm being overly critical. I certainly enjoyed the first film more upon second and third viewings.

The cinematography is stunning, and Lady Gaga and Brendan Gleeson deliver solid performances as love interest and wicked jailer.

However, it's Phoenix who commands our attention. His appearance is shocking, bones protruding from his body, face gaunt, his eyes revealing the mental anguish within.

He evidently suffered for his art. It's just a pity we had to endure it as well.

Joker: Folie à Deux is in UK cinemas from Friday, October 4.