Movie Review: The Killing Joke

[VidKid]

Premise: In this Joker adventure,  he escapes Arkham again with a new plan to show that even the most sane of us can go 'mad' with just one really bad day.

This movie is based on the graphic novel of the same name. They animated it in the style of the 90's Batman animated series. DC brought back Kevin Conroy as Batman and Mark Hamill as Joker. The story was a one-shot, but became so popular that they made it cannon. Not sure if everyone has read it, watched it, wants to read/watch it, so i'll be a bit vague about the 2 big scenes.

It opens with a 20min or so interview with Hamill. Always great listening and watching him. If you don't already, you should follow him on Twitter. He is a great Joker. The voice, the laugh, epic. He plays crazy really well.

Since its animated, there isn't too much to discuss. If you liked the 90's cartoon, then you'll like this style. There were scenes that seemed to drag in this medium. Something sufficient in a couple panels was extended for the sake of the movie.

This novel is all about the characters. We learn about Joker's past. Batman ponders the relationship he has with Joker. Wondering, in the future, just who will kill who. We get a glimpse into Batgirl's life and what its like working with the Dark Knight.

This was reason enough for enjoying this novel. It wasn't just a 'joker escaped, stop his plan, send him back to Arkham' comic. We learned so much more. There's a moment where you wonder 'maybe the joker isn't so bad. His life sucked. Completely fell apart. Lost the woman & child he loved. And just had a string of bad luck'. We've all been there. Maybe we didn't fall into a vat of chemicals, but having a bad day that changes your mood, attitude and/or behaviors is something the 'normal Joe' can relate to.

And that's just what the Joker wants to prove. So he kidnaps the Commissioner. Shoots his daughter. Then basically aims to give the Commissioner such a bad day that he snaps. Showing that even a 'good guy' can be pushed too far and, in the end, we're all the same. Anybody, the Commissioner, even Batman, could easily become the 'Joker'.

The controversy, of course, comes from the implied rape scene from the novel. I say implied because no one has made the official statement of yes or no. I mean, could the Joker rape someone? Sure. There's another novel out there where he has, in no uncertain terms, raped someone. Did they extend the scene or change anything? No. But being a father now, the scene is more disturbing than I gave it credit for when I was younger, whether it happened or not.

The other item up for debate is the final scene. After Gordon proves to the Joker that not everyone gives in so easily and turns 'bad'. Batman and Joker have a final confrontation. If you've read the novel, you know what I'm talking about. At the time, I was leaning towards no. Taking some of today's current story archs into consideration, I'm thinking it's possible. Needless to say, we had a lengthy debate over both of these items.

It set some records, made money and now DC is considering releasing more of their animated features into special showings. DC definitely has the advantage over Marvel when it comes to animation and depending on which story-line the adapt for the big screen, I would go watch.

[Tenshot13]

POTENTIAL SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!






From the movie, I believed Barbara was raped.  Batman asks the hookers if they've seen the Joker, and they said "he always comes by first thing when he gets out, but didn't this time.  Maybe he found a new Woman?"  I think that was forshadowing.  There is also a theory that he raped Jim too, but I think that's a little far fetched.

Also, that end scene, I'm leaning towards yes.  You hear only one of them laughing as credits roll.

[Phishfan]

I almost watched this but decided to just go to bed instead. I'll give it a shot.

[Dave Gray]

Please just spoil it for me.  I read the graphic novel and I remember the final scene, but where is the ambiguity?

[Tenshot13]

He strangles the Joker to death at the end vs. He doesn't.  It's left up in the air.  I think he did it as the Joker stops laughing, and Batman continues laughing, plus all the talk of "One of us is going to end up killing the other."

[Dave Gray]

It's been a long time since I read it, but didn't the Joker kinda break his own neck?  Like...Batman was ready to do it, but couldn't go through with it, so the Joker did it?  ...something like that.

[Tenshot13]

It's been a long time since I read it, but didn't the Joker kinda break his own neck?  Like...Batman was ready to do it, but couldn't go through with it, so the Joker did it?  ...something like that.

You're thinking of The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller, set in the future.

[Dave Gray]

^ So I am.

Weird.  I remember the ending of the book pretty vividly, with the flashlight joke. 

And I remember TDKR...but for some reason, I moved that little tidbit from one story to the other.

[Spider-Dan]

One of the problems people have with this new adaptation is that they changed the story to make Batman and Batgirl lovers.  In the comics, Batgirl has generally been involved with Robin and Batman has treated her similar to a goddaughter, so a lot of people found it inappropriate.

It seems like they did it to give more personal punch to the attack on her at the end, but whatever.  I think it was unnecessary, but sex sells.

[VidKid]

He strangles the Joker to death at the end vs. He doesn't.  It's left up in the air.  I think he did it as the Joker stops laughing, and Batman continues laughing, plus all the talk of "One of us is going to end up killing the other."

I think I have to agree with you. It would seem uncharacteristic of only Batman to keep laughing and the Joker to be quiet.

This brings up other issues, continuity based, of how the Joker could have been killed then, but still give Batman problems in future story lines.

DC Rebirth kinda 'fixes' this (if we assume Batman did indeed kill him).

*Spoiler* - highlight if you want to know
Batman learns that there are / have been multiple Jokers. Without double checking, I think they say there are 3 of them

[Tenshot13]

I think I have to agree with you. It would seem uncharacteristic of only Batman to keep laughing and the Joker to be quiet.

This brings up other issues, continuity based, of how the Joker could have been killed then, but still give Batman problems in future story lines.

DC Rebirth kinda 'fixes' this (if we assume Batman did indeed kill him).

Highlight....
To confirm, yes there are 3.  Looks like Romero/Nickleson (I've always felt taking those two interpretations of the Joker=comic book Joker that most people know), Ledger and Leto Jokers respectively.

[Thundergod]

Saw 'The Killing Joke' the other night, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am a huge fan of B:TAS and loved the fact that they styled the movie in that way. And bringing in Conroy and Hamill to reprise their roles is always an automatic win.

It was really nice to see Joker's backstory, most of Gotham's villains have had their story explained, but I don't ever recall knowing about Joker's (in any of the animated series episodes). Since I'm not big into comics, these animated features are the only story I have to go by.

After the movie I thought, "okaaaaaay" what was that about? As it just ended... I had to get online to get some sort of explanation. I agree with Tenshot, Batman ended up killing Joker.