I thought the movie itself was okay. It's one of those instances where a great movie is in there somewhere, but the script bogs it down. Things get pretty heavy-handed at times.
The MVPs are Phoenix, the score, and the cinematography. While I'm not high on the movie, I'd recommend it just for these three things alone. Phoenix basically carries it.
Right now I'd give it a 7/10. Without Phoenix, I'd really be tempted to give it a 5/10. It's not a masterpiece, nor is it a disaster. It's right down the middle of the road, elevated by an Oscar-worthy performance.
For what it's worth, any critic that walked out of this thinking it was dangerous should be ashamed of themselves for pushing and exaggerating that narrative. I walked out and my immediate impression was, "That's it? That's what people are freaking out about?" Talk about a whole lot of nothing.
I still prefer Ledger, but Phoenix 100% belongs in the Oscar conversation. I just wish the movie itself had lived up to what Phoenix achieved here. If his performance had a better overall movie around it, Joker would have been next-level.