“Joker” wasn’t the movie I expected.

Going into one of the year’s most anticipated films, I questioned if director Todd Phillips, known for quirky comedies like “Old School” and “The Hangover,” could helm a film of this magnitude. And he did.

Phillips, paired with strong performances from Joaquin Phoenix and Robert De Niro, seamlessly captured what’s made DC's most popular villain so appealing. Compared to other comic book films, the Phoenix-led “Joker” is almost unrecognizable -- in the best ways possible.