Batman: The Killing Joke

Plot synopsis:
This animated film starts with Barbara Gordon/Batgirl (voice of Tara Strong) observing Bruce Wayne/Batman (voice of Kevin Conroy) meeting with Commissioner Jim Gordon (voice of Ray Wise). Gordon shone the bat-signal to call Batman due to a robbery in progress. Batman heads off to take care of it while Batgirl pursues the robbers herself.The getaway van is driven by two punks, one among them being Paris Franz (voice of Maury Sterling), nephew of Gotham City's biggest crime lord Carlos Francesco (voice of John DiMaggio). Batman chases the crooks in the Batmobile while Batgirl leaps onto the van. She blows the backdoor open, letting some other criminals shoots at Batman. Paris shoots at Batgirl, causing her to fall off the van. She and Batman end up catching one criminal, but Batman is upset with Batgirl for getting in the way and almost harming herself.Paris and his buddy meet with Francesco. He is pissed at his nephew for Batgirl's intervention, where four of Francesco's men were caught, as well as $100,000. Francesco orders Paris to get the money back, or he'll have him killed.Paris and his goons go to rob a warehouse. Batgirl finds them, which Paris was counting on since he's developed an infatuation with her. He sprays her with knockout gas, but she has enough time to knee him in the groin before hiding out in the vault. Paris and the others get away. After she comes to and the police arrive, Batman meets Batgirl on a rooftop. He expresses his concern for her work on the case and orders her to stay off it. This angers Barbara, making her feel like Batman won't trust her.The criminals are on their boat after a night with some prostitutes. Paris gets a call from Francesco, and when his buddy picks up the phone, he gets shot in the head. Outside the boat are four shooters on a motorboat. Paris and his other cohort make their getaway by rigging the boat to explode as the hitmen board it, killing them all.Paris sends a video message to Batgirl so she can go looking for him. Batman is with her while she watches it. He knows it's a trap, so he tells her to stay off the case. She doesn't listen and follows the clues, leading her to find another phone with a message from Paris. She is led to an apartment where she discovers Francesco's dead body. Two of Francesco's men show up, forcing Batgirl to flee. Batman arrives and starts kicking ass.Batman and Batgirl stand on a rooftop arguing. She is finally pushed over the edge and she begins to attack Batman. He defends himself but is quickly subdued. In the heat of the moment, Batgirl kisses him. She then takes off her cowl and suit, and they start to have sex. This later fills Barbara with regret.The next night, Batgirl calls Batman as he is driving to find Paris. The Batmobile gets hit with an RPG by the docks. Batman ejects himself to safety and is faced by a bunch of crooks. Batgirl shows up on her motorcycle. She finds Paris and beats his face to a bloody pulp, but stops before she kills him.Paris is arrested, but Batgirl realizes what Batman was saying in regards to his concern for her. She meets him as Barbara and tells her she is giving up being Batgirl.A while later, Batman meets with Detective Harvey Bullock (voice of Robin Atkin Downes) at a crime scene where four men have been found dead, all of them with big smiles on their faces. Batman knows this is the work of The Joker (voice of Mark Hamill). He and Bullock go to Arkham Asylum to meet with him in his cell. The Joker appears to be obscured in darkness. Batman tells him that this will end with one of them killing the other. The man doesn't respond and continues stacking playing cards. Batman grabs his hand and sees the man has white powder on his hand. He pulls the man into the light and sees he is not Joker, but a decoy.The real Joker is meeting with another man to buy out an abandoned amusement park for a sinister purpose.We see a flashback of Joker before he became what he is now. He was a struggling comedian tending to his pregnant wife Jeannie (voice of Anna Vocino). The two had been in financial troubles for a while, and he was trying to find a way to support his growing family.Bruce is in the batcave trying to figure out what Joker's motives are. Alfred (Brian George) tells him he can't save everyone.Barbara is with her father in his apartment. She hears a knock at the door, thinking it's a friend of hers. It's The Joker, holding a gun. He shoots Barbara in her abdomen and sends her crashing onto a coffee table in front of Gordon. Two of Joker's men come in and beat Gordon before taking him away.Another flashback shows Pre-Joker meeting with two gangsters at a bar as he tries to come up with some money. The gangsters want him to help them break into the chemical plant where he once worked so that they can pull off a heist at the card company next to it. They show Pre-Joker the mask they want him to wear, which is that of The Red Hood. Two officers find Pre-Joker at the bar and inform him that Jeannie has died in an accident. The man expresses grief and says he has no more reason to go through with the crime. The gangsters give him their condolences but insist that it's too late for him to back out now.Batman finds Barbara at the hospital. The doctor tells him that she will never be able to walk again due to the through-and-through bullet injury to her spine. Bullock also implies to Batman that Joker may have raped her. Barbara wakes up and tells Batman that Joker is trying to prove a point, and that Gordon is "top of the bill".Gordon is taken to Joker's amusement park where he is tortured by some of Joker's freak show henchmen. The freaks take Gordon onto a ride through a house of horrors as Joker puts on a performance with the other freaks. Gordon is forced to see pictures of Barbara nude and bloodied, with Joker's intention being to drive Gordon insane.The last flashback shows Pre-Joker and the gangsters getting ready to pull off the heist as Pre-Joker wears Red Hood's mask and cape. They engage in a shootout with security as Batman arrives on the scene. The gangsters die while Pre-Joker is startled by Batman. He trips over his cape and falls into a vat of chemicals. He is swept out through a pipe into the river. Once he gets out, he sees his reflection in a puddle. His skin is bleached white, his lips are red, and his hair is green. His mind then warps into insanity, and he is now The Joker.Batman finds a clue that leads him to the amusement park. He finds Gordon, who remains sane. As Batman heads to pursue Joker, Gordon tells him to capture him "by the books" to show that their way works. Batman follows Joker into the funhouse as he fends off the freaks who try to kill Batman. Joker taunts Batman by saying the world isn't worth fighting for and how one bad day can turn anyone insane, as it was one bad day that led Batman into becoming what he is now. The two of them fight until Batman throws himself and Joker out the window. Joker tries to shoot him, but the gun only pops out a "click bang bang" sign. Batman tells Joker that he doesn't want either of them to kill each other, and he offers to help him be better. Joker declines, saying it's too late for him. He then starts to tell a joke about two men escaping from a loony bin. After the punchline, both Batman and Joker start laughing together.During the end credits, Barbara is seen in a wheelchair. She goes into her room and onto the computer, where we see the Oracle logo, indicating that she has new work to begin.

Tags: gothic, murder, neo noir, violence, flashback, good versus evil, insanity, comic, tragedy, suspenseful, sadist

Review:
This is (for better or worse) the Joker's origin story, incendiary though it is, and I can understand why they'd want to flesh out Barbara's character; but it still doesn't work because Batman doesn't recall her horrific fate later on in the movie.
This movie is doomed by a complete misunderstanding of what made the comic great, a bad writer and total lack of respect for its characters (especially Barbara Gordon).
A fan of the comic will hate it and a newcomer will just wonder why the hell the comic is considered a masterpiece, if this is the story people raved about for 30 years.Animation is decent and voice acting is good, so I gave it a 4/10 out of respect for those things.
not very good; besides, the animation was very weak in several scenes, I mean like 10 fps and that's unacceptable Mark Hamill and Kevin Conroy's work was the best of the movie, I can't complain about that.
It's been awhile since I read the graphic novel but when I found out they were making an animated movie based on the book, I was excited, I couldn't wait to see it then when I found out it was being shown on HBO & not The Cartoon Network like I expected it was going to be, I was even more excited.I thought it was going to be (For some stupid reason) exactly like the graphic novel.I guess it's true, the book is always better than the movie.Watching Batman: The Killing Joke was like watching an episode/movie of Batman: The Animated Series but with sex & extreme violence.This movie was not for the kids.Since it was more like watching Batman: The Animated Series, the sex & extreme violence felt unnecessary.It didn't add anything to the movie at all.If this movie was supposed to be based on the graphic novel then they should've stuck to the story.At times I also found the movie to be boring.When it was over, the only thing I felt was disappointment.There are kid friendly Batman animated movies that are a million times better than this 1.I suggest watching any of them or picking up the graphic novel instead.
Not to mention how it's presented is silly especially given what room is open with an R rating (the first for any Batman film, ironically you could show this to most kids 12 and up and it'd be fine).Despite this troubling and/or just typical Batman/Batgirl story that squanders potential with really delving into backstory the comic hinted at, or because of it, when that second half of the film kicks in to gear and we get the story of the comic it'S presented largely faithfully and the genius and power of that story comes through; the Joker as a 'sympathetic' being with his own origin story which, by the end, is satisfying as its own story and is brilliant as a circumspect narrative from an unreliable storyteller.I may also be a sucker for Hamill as the Joker but how can one not be when he always sinks his teeth in and makes him a real PRESENCE in a room?
The animation is also top notch (as far as the limited budget allows), and some moments in that fun-house/amusement park are shown to be iconic for a reason; if you get any allusions to the Burton 89 Batman there's a reason for that.I think my high rating is due to finding that main story so compelling - what a hero or villain means when they have to face existential questions and how they relate to one another through "one bad day" (interestingly though Moore recently says he doesn't like his own work here I find he underrated it, that he got under the skin of these iconic figures to show them as people).
This just goes to show that not every comic looks good on the big screen.Really the only thing I liked was the fact that Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill were in it.Would I recommend it?
Lets start with the good:+ The voice work was great especially Mark Hamils Joker+ animation in some scenes look pretty goodNow the bad:Even though some animation in some scenes are good overall its extremely choppy and not worth buying in 3D Batman and Batgirls sex scene.
If it was one with Nightwing it be passable, but Batman????unnecessary side story for the first 30 minutes just to make the movie longer -its like they don't care, they barely ever focus in one scene that the comic great and just rushes itOverall it was a massive let down by DC hopefully Suicide Squad is good.
I nodded, thinking "Cool, this'll set up the Killing Joke stuff that happens with her to have more emotional weight." And it should have, but then it went in a direction I still feel very uncomfortable with every time I think about it-- spoiler: Batman and Batgirl have sex.
Voice acting was really good.(of course) I specially enjoyed the part where Joker sings, thanks Mark Hamill for adding an enjoyable part into this film..
Batman goes on the hunt for The Joker who is kidnapping and torturing Commissioner Gordon and his family in a similar way to his own descent into madness.One thing that immediately stands out about this film is how much it seems to want to be like the graphic novel that it is adapted from.
In fact the connection with the characters in this film isn't really that strong and at times they just seem to be there ,even Batman has this feeling when he is present in some scenes, this can also be said for the character of the Joker (voiced by Mark Hamill) he might be one of the best things about the film but he doesn't seem very understandable in his actions and motives until later in the film when his backstory ,if it is even his real one due to the character previously making up many different backstories making him more mysterious and in some cases creepy, is revealed and we see what his life was previously like and what drew him into the state of madness that has made him one of the most famous and iconic on-screen and comic book villains ever.
As this is done the character of The Joker gets better and better and more enjoyable and the same can be said for the rest of the film as more is revealed and as more events unravel/ occur the pace gets quicker and the film gets better and more entertaining pulling the audience in and providing a more detective style superhero film which at times feels fresh, new and different.If you ignore the first 30 minutes then Batman: The Killing Joke is a fresh animated superhero film that not only shows a new side to the character of The Joker but puts him centre stage as the star of the show.
I was always a huge fan of the Batman's twisted romantic relationship with The Joker, i know of no other clash between antagonists that portrays so wonderfully the duality of man and the absurd reaches and outcomes of the pressure that the world places on individuals, even so, i felt like The Killing Joke took the whole thing to a new level.
It's a far-too-long animated equivalent of a snuff film that fails to acknowledge or correct the problems of the source material as it claimed, instead substituting pseudo-philosophical debates about the nature of humanity and even more sexism and ableism the worst Batman stories are always known for.The only reason it's not a flat 1 is because, as is typical of DC animation, the art and the voice acting is fantastic.
The simple facts are the original novel was not long enough for a feature length, those who don't know Batgirl need some background, animation has never been flawless for any Batman film, and finally...it's just a movie.
The plot was just okay,Mark Hamill and Kevin Conroy make sure they don't turn you down with their voices but what really got me into it was the last 10 minutes or so,they were absolutely incredible to say the least,however the first 1h or so was just dragging.Honestly the movie,according to me,would have been a lot better if the length was shorter.
Before you read this review it should be noted that as of the time I am writing this review I have not read the graphic novel on which The Killing Joke is based.Going into this movie I was hoping for one of the best Batman films I've ever seen, and while Batman: The Killing Joke was very good, it was also somewhat underwhelming.
The film tries too hard to match the amazing Graphic Novel in which is basedand i could mention hundreds of other flaws and other things about this movie, i don't get why it got an "R" rating if the whole movie is boring even for a little kid, i've watched this movie in the theater in one of the special screenings in my town and a lot of people got out of the movie really disappointed and i went to the tickets cabin to ask for my money because YES, THE MOVIE IS THAT HORRENDOUS, an episode of spongebob square pants is more exciting and thrilling and more R rated than this piece of garbage.So, anyways...
You probably want your money back too.If you're planning to buy this movie or invest any money on it i suggest you to buy some Disney animated films, specially the classic ones because they are better in animation, story-telling, screenplay and are definitely much more thrilling and exciting than Batman: The Killing Joke(2016)-Lamont Cranston.
Unfortunately, The Killing Joke is a messy unsatisfying waste of great source material.I haven't read the graphic novel, but like every Batman fan, I know the story of The Killing Joke.
There were plenty more ways to expand upon Batgirl's role here, but that wasn't one of them.The Killing Joke hits high when it hits, but it's few and far between, which is extremely disappointing given the fascinating source material.+Hamill and Conroy+Brutal and uncompromising at times-Added Batgirl material-And why is Batgirl pining for Batman's pants?-Big moments aren't necessarily earned5.5/10.
Batman: The Killing joke is an animated superhero film directed by San Liu. It is a direct adaptation of the graphic novel with the same name that came out in 1988.
The Batman and Batgirl sex scene was like a creepy fan fiction that some die-hard fan would write or draw to satisfy their fantasy.Overall rating: Batman: The Killing Joke is basically a giant middle finger to the fans who loved Alan Moore's novel.
Batman: The Killing Joke gives what the title promises yet it gives more than what is necessary: an opening act that has to 'fill-in' for the feature-film length of the production: the problem is that this opening act is completely pointless to the meat-and-bones of the story: The Joker and Batgirl.Scribe Brian Azzarello means well, though he doesn't compliment Alan Moore's 1988 graphic novel masterpiece by adding an unnecessary chunk of plot to the beginning of the story that ultimately adds up to nothing later on.
Batman: The Killing Joke is a animated movie adaptation of the graphic novel of the same name.
The movie starts off with a thirty minute prologue detailing the events (involving Batman and Batgirl) that take place before the main story.
Batman: The Killing Joke was none of those things.I had such high hopes for this movie when it was announced with an R rating, when Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill signed on, when I saw that it was coming to theaters for not one but two night, but even so it did not deliver the way it should have and I can tell you exactly why.Political correctness.PC is what destroyed this film for being as good as it could have been and I'll tell you why.
This prologue was added to the film so that when Barbara Gordon (Batgirl) is later shot and paralyzed by the Joker in the film, like in the comic, we can feel for her, understand her side of the story, and not promote violence against women.Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating violence against women, or anyone for that matter, but the PC train has gone off the tracks when they decide to mess with something like The Killing Joke by adding a whole Batgirl story that has nothing at all to do with the plot just for the sake of showing that "yeah, women can kick butt too!" before paralyzing the only female character in the film.
I seriously wonder how anyone thought the Batgirl prologue was a good idea.The actual Killing Joke story starts about 30/40 minutes into the film, and that itself is left relatively untouched, which is good.
A very good animation, great voice acting as always from Mark Hamill and Kevin Conroy, awesome to hear an origin story I have never came across before for the Joker and I'd imagine discovering Oracles origin story would have been an interesting find if I hadn't just discovered it in the Batman Arkham Knight game this past month.
If you've read the graphic novel of Brian Bolland called "The Killing Joke" you know that it's one of the best and most important works of the "Batman" and DC comics universe, as it's somewhat of a significant and universal like origin story of "The Joker" it takes an interesting look at the "Clown prince of crime".
I didn't think that the pacing and overall structure of the story were good.The film itself was relatively short compared to most theatrical films (there were also no movie trailers), but accommodated this by adding a commentary featuring Mark Hamill (voice of the Joker) before the start of the film, and after the end credits, another commentary about the music score.
They were fun to watch.(POTENTIAL SPOILERS)But more importantly, the film was extended from the original graphic novel by adding a subplot with Batman and Batgirl and their conflict against a criminal (not the Joker).
The criminal she and Batman were fighting against added very little lasting importance and soon became irrelevant for the remainder of the film.Then came the second half of the film, and the story is finally about the Joker, who replaces Batgirl as the new central character, as the film now explores his life and point of view.
It made the movie indecisive on who is the most important character, it felt like a story for a different Batman movie, and it did not have enough relevant material to carry over to the second half.The conflict between the heroes and the Joker should have been explored more, they should fight several more times throughout the movie, and whatever more additional scenes need to be relevant and build up to the climax of the movie.
However, unlike the Joker, I felt that the movie did not take full advantage of Conroy's talent by portraying a near-constantly stoic Batman who displayed almost no personal needs or ambitions except to keep his mind on the job and nothing else.This was a movie adaptation of the famous The Killing Joke graphic novel.
It's weird and disturbing like the best stories involving Batman & the Joker going at each other.The Killing Joke is a classic graphic novel (It's like a classic novel (I don't read so I can't suggest a novel) that you are excited they are going to adapt into a movie, and that's the Killing Joke).Anything coming out of DC Universe Animated Original Movies is so great and so adult and way better than anything that the DC Cinematic Universe seems to be doing.I was so stoked that the movie was going to be released in theaters and it shocked me when I saw the movie was going to be Rated R.
The comic book 'The Killing Joke' was such a great comic, but it wasn't one to be adapted into a animated film.
This movie is so poorly made, with frames of animation going slow making it feel like low frame rate, especially when Batman is walking through the prison to the Joker.
I'm a pretty big Batman fan and I have to admit that I like the Joker better when he doesn't have an origin story.
This is an R-rated animated film with the best of the best lending their voices with Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill voicing Batman and The Joker respectively.
This feature length animated film is an adaptation of the best-selling graphic novel, "The Killing Joke." The book was ground-breaking in presenting the origins and background of the most popular supervillain of all time, The Joker.
Batman: The Killing Joke is adapted from the Alan Moore graphic comic.The animation is dark with some bone crunching violence, this is a cartoon not aimed at kids as it examines the violent psyche of the loony Joker (Mark Hamill) but also shows the character in more normal times in flashback.Batman (Kevin Conroy) plays second fiddle here as he tries to look for alternative ways to deal with the clown prince of crime who has escaped from the asylum again.
I thoroughly enjoyed this film.i thought it flowed well and I like the story.it's a bit dark and intense at times.the voice work is first rate here.all the voices fit the characters brilliantly.i thought the dialogue was well written.i like the whole movie from beginning to end,but I especially liked the ending.it was subtle and unexpected.at least,i didn't expect it.not having read the graphic novel the movie is based on,i have no idea how faithful it was to the source material,but i enjoyed it,nonetheless.i have seen a handful of animated batman movies and this was as good as any of them.for me, Batman: The Killing Joke is a well deserved 7/10..