Batman: The Killing Joke [DVD] [2016]

An intriguing interpretation of the highly acclaimed graphic novel. I would agree with some of the criticism relating to the 40 or so minute introduction that has absolutely nothing to do with the original comic and came out of DC guilt for the alleged maltreatment of Barbara Gordon's character in the original story. Whilst the details are aptly graphic and quite disgusting (this is definitely not a film for younger audiences) the added introduction seemed quite unnecessary and weighed the film down. I think their time could have been better spent on explaining more about the Joker and the backstory to his actions. Having said that, the animation was good and the narrative style (when featuring on the actual comic) was strong. A very well made adaptation.

Despite the unnecessary sub plot opening to this film involving Batgirl and Batman that wasn't in the original graphic novel, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, and it was great to hear Mark Hamill back in the role of the Joker, a character he has made his own since first voicing this iconic Batman villain in the 1990's animated Batman series including several animated movies and video games. Kevin Conroy is excellent as usual as Batman, and a strong cast of actors makes this an enjoyable movie. The real hardcore fans of the original graphic novel may disagree with me, but I recommend this film for all you Batman fans out there.

Great film

An animated movie version of the famous Batman Graphic novel 'The Killing Joke.' Which was originally published back in the 1980's. Just in case you've never read it: Back in the middle of that decade, people started to produce comic work geared more towards mature readers. With mature themes. And mature moments. Strong language and adult moments naturally got in as well. An advertising slogan of the time proclaimed 'DC Comics aren't just for kids!' Which is the case here. Yes, it's Batman! And it's a cartoon! But see that 15 certificate, parents? This dark, graphic, and disturbing. Dc animated movies aren't just for kids. The graphic novel tells of Batman getting frustrated with the fact that, after fighting the Joker for so long, he still knows nothing about him. And he wants them to find a way to deal with their endless battle before it ends with one killing the other. But the Joker has a cunning scheme. And the life of one resident of Gotham city will never be the same again as a result. As Joker once did, someone is going to find out what it's like to have a bad day... The Killing Joke wasn't the longest graphic novel. The movie runs for seventy five minutes. Five of those are the end credits. It's been taken up to this length by a twenty six minute long bit of original material at the start of the film. Which sees Batgirl [Tara Strong] find her approach to crime fighting being different to Batman's getting her in trouble when it comes to dealing with a mobster. This section of the film does take a while to get going. But once it does, it's not bad. Ultimately, it has a point to make. Which it does quite well in the end. Possibly raising a few eyebrows along the way. And it gets Batgirl as a character to a point where it needs her to be for the start of the narrative as we know it. Or so it feels at the end of the twenty six minutes. But once you're in the main narrative, what came first is a bit easy to forget. The main section does, possibly a little better than the first twenty six minutes, give that not just for kids feeling. It is dark and disturbing and graphic at times. Bad things happen and it doesn't flinch in it's depiction of them. It does give us an excellent Joker, who is really quite scary at times. Mark Hamill, who voiced him in the 1990's Batman cartoon here. Delivering an absolutely stellar performance. Kevin Conroy of the same show returns to the Batman role, and is as capable as ever. But Mark Hamill really takes the acting plaudits. Of course, if you have read the graphic novel, then you're going to know all that happens from twenty six minutes on. But it is a very faithful depiction of such. If you haven't, what you think of the story will be a matter of subjective opinion. Also how well it makes it's key point. Which possibly does come over slightly better in the graphic novel than on screen. There are flashback scenes, which are well done. Although it has to be said that when the score tries to get emotional, it gets a bit intrusive. The animation uses static backgrounds and moving figures. With different tones for the flashbacks. It worked for me. But it's something else that is a matter of opinion as to how you like it. Or not. So once you're past an opening that you may or not be okay with, you will get a very solid attempt at getting the story to animation. The ultimate opinion on this is going to be a subjective one as well. But like you're not going to give it a go? Do keep watching during the end credits for an extra scene. Which doesn't come from the graphic novel. The dvd has the following language and subtitle options: Languages: English, French, German, Castilian Spanish. Subtitles: English, Castilian Spanish, French, German. Only extras are the usual trailers for other DC comics animated films that usually come on these. Which have cast and crew talking about the film, along with unfinished animation, storyboards, dialogue and the very occasional clip. There are three here. Assault on Arkham and the Dark Knight returns. Both films that have been out a few years so you will possibly have seen them. But also one for the impending Justice League Dark movie. So that's new. The dvd also contains the usual flyer with code to download copy of the film onto a digital device.

It's a good movie, the movie is good. It's The Killing Joke. It's a DC animated movie. It's good.

I enjoyed this very much! Animation isn't great but the story more than makes up for it and the voice acting is incredible.

OK, let's get the big problem out of the way first: the deviation from the book. If you read the (excellent) comic book first, you will expect a certain story in this film adaption. I saw the film first, and read the book later. The big difference is this: the book focuses solely on the story of Joker's attempt to drive Gordon mad. This film, on the other hand, adds more story: it tells of Batgirl's work with Batman, her highly controversial love interest in said masked avenger, and her turning into Oracle at the end of the film. This is the main reason why so many fans were disappointed with the film - they see it as non-canon. One particularly controversial move is the sexual encounter between mentor and student - many see this as out of character. To be honest, it's pretty much in line with the story told in the animated series, wherein Batgirl does dream (literally) of a romantic connection with Bruce Wayne, and the story in this film continues this arc and follows it to its conclusion. The same connection is made in "Batman Beyond", where Barbara reveals that she was once Bruce's girlfriend and that it ended badly since the latter was consumed by his crime-fighting mission. Personally, I do feel it was pretty brave of the producers to follow through with the sex scene, but this is a matter of taste. In my opinion, if you are a fan of the animated series and cartoon films, you will probably like this film. If you're a fan of the comics, however, you should be aware that this film is not simply an adaption of the comic book, but adds a whole lot more. The quality otherwise is OK; the voice acting is done by familiar people (again, if you're a fan of previous films...) and the efforts of Mark Hamill in particular are quite good. The animations are of the same quality as the animated series; pretty good, but could be better considering the quality of the comic book. Again the book and the film are not really comparable.

For fans of the killing joke this is an excellent interpretation just rule out the bat girl build up & you have a major story come from page to screen.

Lange Liferfrist, sonst ok