Batman: the Killing Joke animated review and fathom Events
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Hey O&G fans, Thanks to Fathom Events we got a chance to check out Batman: The Killing Joke on the big Screen. For those who have never read the 1988 one shot classic, here isa quick synopsis of the comic book story:
Written by Alan Moore, illustrated by Brian Bolland, and published by DC Comics. Set in the fictional U.S. city of Gotham, Batman: The Killing Joke provides an origin story for the supervillain the Joker, loosely adapted from the 1951 story arc "The Man Behind the Red Hood!". Taking place over two timelines, The Killing Joke depicts the Joker attempting to drive Jim Gordon insane and Batman's desperate attempt to stop him.
REVIEW
Most Fans know the story behind the Killing Joke, the Joker shoots Barbara Gordon (Bat Girl) paralyzes her and attempts to drive her father Jim Gordon insane. Making the animated movie about just that story would have been 1. short and 2. predictable. So the movies tries to expand on the story by adding a back story about Batgirl and Batman. Producer Bruce Timm told empire:
"We thought if we were going to expand this to feature length, we didn’t want to just pad out the original story... So we took that opportunity to basically tell a Batgirl story, which we don’t often get a chance to do these days. And it was great, because we could spend more time with her as a character and get to understand what she’s all about and how she’s similar to Batman in some ways, and really different in others. .... The good side of that is we get to spend more time with her and learn that she’s an interesting character. The bad side of that is that we get to like her so much that when The Killing Joke part of the story happens, it’s, like, “Oh, no!”, because we really like her".
The added Batgirls story really gave fans a reason to be invested in her character though-out the movie. The animation keeps true to the dark and violent story of the one-off comic book. The one thing about this movie that will be odd to fans is the.... one time sexual encounter between Batman and Batgirl. Considering that he is older and her love interest was usuallyDick Grayson (the first robin) in the comics and animated series.
Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill, the iconic voices of Batman and The Joker really bring this movie to life and takes you back to Batman TAS and answers my question from my teenage years as to what an adult Batman animation would look like. Tara Strong is so talented is no wonder she plays so many voices in the DC animated universe and I think she's found a new character for future films.
Overall I think the film was awesome, the BatGirl back story was a good touch ( the short intimate scene has fans a bit confused) This is a film for Batman fans. I give the animated movie 3 1/2 stars.
