During San Deigo Comic Con this year Warner Bros. Animation premiered their long awaited adaptation of Batman: The Killing Joke. For those who don't read comics, Batman: The Killing Joke is one of the most iconic, and most praised, Joker stories ever published. If you're ever wanting to get into comics, particularly Batman comics, then this story would be at your essential look into The Joker. This is because the comic shows the Joker at, arguably, his most darkest. Particularly at the time when comics were leaning away from kid-friendly material and going in a more dark and adult direction.
So because of how much fans loved the comic the animated adaptation of it has a very high standard to live up to. It's even rated R so that it can adapt the comic as best it can. But the question is does it deliver? And I would have to say no. There were some thing I liked about it and some things I really didn't. But overall, the cons outweighed the pros. Also, there will be spoilers in this review. You have been warned.
The story
I think the main problem with this film is that it feels like two films in one. For the first 30 minutes the audience is given a story focusing on Batgirl trying to take down a misogynist criminal and clashing with Batman. Then it actually gets into the adaptation of the comic. This was primarily so the audience would have more of a connection with this Batgirl, so that when (SPOILERS!) the Joker shoots her through the spine, paralyzing her, the audience would be more in shock when that part came up. However, this is just not the case. If the writers had woven the Batgirl sub-plot more with the original story then it would have worked. But it's not. Instead it's more of a prelude at the beginning which turns this into more of a Batgirl story than a Joker story (WHICH IS WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE!)
The Animation
If the story wasn't on par with it's comic book counterpart then the animation is just adding insult to injury. This is a problem I've been having with most of DC's animated films as of late. They've had very poor animation. To the point where it looks like it wasn't rendered properly. There were some good parts. When they tried to reflect still from the comic then they (mostly) looked pretty good. Like the Joker's eyes in the scene with Barbara. But when you look at the artwork in the comic as compared to the animation this film then it doesn't really do it justice. The animation from Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm is superior to this, and that was made over 20 years ago!
The Joker
Thankfully, the best part about this film is The Joker, seeing as this is supposed to be HIS film! Mark Hamill has played The Joker since the animated series in 1990's, and is considered the best voice actor that the Joker has ever had. And he is just as good, if not better than he's ever been, in this film. Every scene that The Joker is in is fantastic. Primarily down to Hamill, who gives such charisma and power to the character. From his psychotic comments, his terrifying monologues to even the flashbacks to the Joker's (Possible) past before he became the Clown Prince Of Crime. You could really get invested in The Joker's story and the point he was trying to make to both Commissioner Gordon and Batman, about how one bad day can drive good man mad.
Batman
Just like Mark Hamill, Kevin Conroy has voiced Batman since the 90's, and is considered THE voice of Batman. In the past Conroy has been phenomenal as Batman. Portraying both his cold and passionate side. But I'd have to say that this is not his best work. Batman seems to only have mono-toned voice throughout the film. Whilst it makes sense for Batman to have an emotionless tone to him, the scenes in this film required him to have some emotion. For example, when he goes to visit The Joker to try and talk things out before one of them inevitably kills the other you'd expect some kind sincerity from Batman. Instead he sounds like he's at a business meeting. Even when he finds out he's been speaking with an impostor and the Joker is free he sounds more annoyed than angry. Kevin Conroy is a good Batman actor. But he didn't seem to bring it here.
Batgirl
I felt the character who was given the most dis-service was Batgirl. In the film's attempt to flesh out the character it really made her somewhat unlikable. This version of Batgirl appears to be quite sexualised, which is something Barbara Gordon rarely is. In fact, Batgirl was even re-designed in the New 52 to be less sexualised and it boosted the character's popularity. And they had the opportunity to go for this kind of design, since Batgirl only appeared as Barbara Gordon in the comic. But in this she's wearing a very tight costume with high heels (Did we learn nothing from Jurassic World?!). Even s Barbara Gordon she's usually talking about her sex life with her stereotypical gay friend. Even when she gets creepy compliments from the villain she's hunting she says that she's "flattered" which is really out of character for Batgirl.
The sex scene
Yes. Batman and Batgirl have sex in this film. Many fans have expressed outrage at this. Saying it's something two characters would never do. Personally I have very little problem with unexpected relationships between comic book characters. But I do have a problem with this one. Forgetting the inappropriate age gap between them, the scene more or less just comes out of nowhere. There's almost no indication that either party is attracted to the other. So it's confusing as to why the filmmakers decided to have it in. It did nothing to further the plot and it was never brought up again after the Batgirl story.
Overall, the Killing Joke will be a disappointment to fans of the comic book. It was a half-assed Batgirl story with a Killing Joke adaptation attached. The animation was poor and doesn't hold a candle to previous work done by DC and Warner Bros. Animation. Batgirl was horribly portrayed and over-sexualised. The redeeming quality of this film is The Joker, which is lucky as he's supposed to be the focus of the film. But overall I would only recommend this film just for the Joker scenes. But I would highly recommend that you read the comic instead. It's far better!
2/5
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