Batman: The Killing Joke

While live action movie adaptations of DC Comics' superheroes continue to struggle with the recent Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) release, the same can't be said with their continuing line of animated adaptations. Since Superman Doomsday (2007), Warner Bros. continues to release animated movies of DC Comic's famous stories such as Superman vs. The Elite (2012), Wonder Woman (2009), and many others under the Batman name. With their most recent Batman movie probably being their riskiest yet since The Dark Knight Returns (2013), the adaptation of Alan Moore's famous graphic novel of the same name; Batman: The Killing Joke (2016). Will this adaptation live up to the psychological horror or will this killing joke fall flat?

The film begins with Barbara Gordon as Batgirl, played by Tara Strong, who fails to stop a robbery while unknown to her that the robber becomes obsessed with her. While tracking the criminal down, Batman, played by Kevin Conroy, becomes concerned that she is not taking the case seriously and possibly going too far as he takes her off the case in fear for her safety. After coming across the crook again and nearly beating him to a pulp, Batgirl realizes that Batman was right and retires from crime fighting. Time passes and as Batman and Detective Harvey Bullock investigate a murder scene they conclude it was The Joker's doing. After realizing that he escaped from Arkham Asylum, The Joker, played by Mark Hamill, attacks Barbara and kidnaps her father, Commissioner Jim Gordon to be subjected to torture physically and mentally.

During the time of the story, flashbacks are shown to explain the Joker's past as a struggling comedian who is desperate to support his pregnant wife.While back in the present as Batman finds Barbara in the hospital, he learns what the Joker has planned for her father. To prove his point how anyone can give into madness just from one single bad day. Will Batman be able to stop the Joker from his horrific plot or will the Joker show that we're all doomed to become insane like him?

In case if one couldn't tell from this synopsis this is not your average Batman story, like the original graphic novel back in 1988 this film is presented as a horror story. There is a reason this movie is stamped with an R rating unlike the other DC animated films. While it does present some blood in its violence and mild swearing, the imagery alone is enough to warrant it as it is brutal and psychologically traumatizing. When Bruce Timm said that he and his crew were gonna keep this movie 100% faithful to the original source material, they meant it! From the story to the designs, the character expressions good grief it was all there. So when one sees this in their movie department and think that kids will enjoy it just because its about Batman, you will be sorely mistaken!

I didn't want to reveal too much of the plot since doing so would remove the shock and impact this story has as its a film that needs to be seen. With that said though, how does it hold up as a movie adaptation? To get the negatives out of the way this film will be VERY polarizing. Adaptations of Alan Moore's work can be VERY difficult to pull off and most of them sadly did not do well. The Killing Joke (2016) stood  a better chance aside being animated that having a cast and crew who KNOWS how this story works really benefited its execution. With that said, adapting a thought provoking story from book to film still isn't easy. While I thought it worked really well, there will be some who'll believe the film fails to properly represent the original source material since people get different emotional responses between the two forms of media. But that problem is more of everyone having their own different perspectives.

The other problem for many who read the original book and possibly those new to this story is the additional material added for Batgirl. Barbara Gordon in the original story didn't get that much character as her involvement was harshly criticized for being used as a plot device to move the story along. To of which even the creator Alan Moore regretted since then. The film tries to change that by adding in twenty minutes of new original footage to show Batgirl in action to help convince the audience why her character is important to the story. People can see this as a problem in two ways: One being that some might see the footage as being pointless if they want a 100% retelling of Batman: The Killing Joke (1988) without adding anything new, or that what is presented in the new footage can be seen as off putting as there are some moments that will make people scratch their heads. As a character, Batgirl is as she's always remembered for, but some of her actions can be divisive given the much darker tone in this film's universe. Some might accept it but still find it off putting while others might not like it overall. Then again, this is not your typical Batman story, it IS supposed to be different and shocking. But as mentioned before, not everyone will have the same reaction so it is up for the audience to decide for themselves if it works or not. It works for me since I understand what the filmmakers are going for as an adaptation, but I can see where the criticisms can be valid.

With that said, the film is very entertaining coming from a fan of the original graphic novel such as myself. The story is 100% faithful, the animation fits the style as close as it can to Brian Bolland's original artwork while combing it with some of Bruce Timm's own art style. However most of my praise goes to the top notch voice cast in the film. If you can think of any people to portray these iconic characters, it would be them. From Kevin Conroy to reprising his role as the Dark Knight who gives a great performance making Batman dark and gritty while staying natural whereas other actors before had to alter their voice to TRY and make Batman sound threatening. Tara Strong as Batgirl gives a very passionate performance as a heroine who strives to do what is right but is struck by tragedy, never trying too hard or to little to present her emotions into her character. And finally the actor who steals the spotlight, Mark Hamill as The Joker. While many people would remember either Jack Nicholson or Heath Ledger as the clown prince of crime, it is Hamill who knows how to capture the insane criminal. Ever since playing the role in Batman: The Animated series from the 1990's to the successful Batman Arkham video games, this film shows how Mark Hamill will continue his chilling performance to be the best Joker in the entire franchise, bar none!

Batman: The Killing Joke (2016) is set to be released on blu-ray and DVD on August 2nd as I highly recommend it for any Batman and/or fan of The Joker to add it to their collection. But for those who are seeing this for the first time, just be prepared for some frightening moments as you may never look at Batman's iconic villain the same way ever again.