If you are a fan of the Frank Miller comic series that relaunched the BATMAN comic franchise in the mid 80's, then this is the BATMAN film to end them all. This Dark Knight is gritty and violent. He has no issues breaking the limbs of bad guys or pummeling their face to a bloody pulp.
The story revolves around a 55-year old Bruce Wayne, who hung up the cape and cowl after the government cracked down on masked vigilantes. When Bruce's old Friend Harvey Dent, thought to be reformed, breaks away and resumes his violent ways at Two Face, Wayne feels that he must do the right thing and deliver the crazed mad-man to justice.
But he isn't as fit, fast, or in-shape as he once was. His battles wear him out and he has a long history of drinking to put behind him.
The film maintains the feel of the comic series/graphic novel. It feels dirty and gritty and the whimsical news segments are left intact. Huge chunks of dialogue and scenes are lifted directly from the comic books. This is an adaptation done completely right. The animation style is much more crisp than the sketchy drawings that Miller is known for, but the penciled style and choppy lines that work in a comic book wouldn't work in an animated film. The look of the characters maintain that Miller-esque quality and there are several key images that are recreated for the film.
For anyone who felt that the Nolan features did not do justice to the character, check out part one of BATMAN: The Dark Knight Returns, on Blu Ray now.
I don't know when Part II will be released, but I look forward to it.
The story revolves around a 55-year old Bruce Wayne, who hung up the cape and cowl after the government cracked down on masked vigilantes. When Bruce's old Friend Harvey Dent, thought to be reformed, breaks away and resumes his violent ways at Two Face, Wayne feels that he must do the right thing and deliver the crazed mad-man to justice.
But he isn't as fit, fast, or in-shape as he once was. His battles wear him out and he has a long history of drinking to put behind him.
The film maintains the feel of the comic series/graphic novel. It feels dirty and gritty and the whimsical news segments are left intact. Huge chunks of dialogue and scenes are lifted directly from the comic books. This is an adaptation done completely right. The animation style is much more crisp than the sketchy drawings that Miller is known for, but the penciled style and choppy lines that work in a comic book wouldn't work in an animated film. The look of the characters maintain that Miller-esque quality and there are several key images that are recreated for the film.
For anyone who felt that the Nolan features did not do justice to the character, check out part one of BATMAN: The Dark Knight Returns, on Blu Ray now.
I don't know when Part II will be released, but I look forward to it.
“I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass. And I'm all out of bubblegum.”
Certified 100% Serious
You nailed it, Tony.
God, that brought back memories. Brought me right back to the 12 year old kid I was when I first read the comic. I remember back in the mid-80's when that first issue was something special. It excited me and so many others about the Batman character. And how many future writers, including Christopher Nolan, were heavily influenced by that series? Tons. And for good reason: Frank Miller was and is a brilliant storyteller.
I haven't read the comics since I was a teenager; and this film brought me back to my childhood, which is about as high a compliment as I can give it. It's easily the best animated Super-Hero film I've ever seen (although the Batman: Year One animated film was excellent), and it stands up there in excellence with the best of the Live Action films as well, if not surpassing them.
Highly Recommended.
Can't wait for Part 2!
God, that brought back memories. Brought me right back to the 12 year old kid I was when I first read the comic. I remember back in the mid-80's when that first issue was something special. It excited me and so many others about the Batman character. And how many future writers, including Christopher Nolan, were heavily influenced by that series? Tons. And for good reason: Frank Miller was and is a brilliant storyteller.
I haven't read the comics since I was a teenager; and this film brought me back to my childhood, which is about as high a compliment as I can give it. It's easily the best animated Super-Hero film I've ever seen (although the Batman: Year One animated film was excellent), and it stands up there in excellence with the best of the Live Action films as well, if not surpassing them.
Highly Recommended.
Can't wait for Part 2!
I have to admit I couldn't wait for my DVD in the mail and rented it again at a cost of five bucks from On Demand. Second time this week. I invited my Father over and his reaction was similar to mine: he considers it the best Batman screen adaptation, ever. Even better than the last Nolan film, which he really liked as well.
When my DVD gets here, it'll be time to call a few buddies and have a Batman viewing on my Sony 55 inch 1080 Hi-Def TV that would make Jack proud. First the animated film Batman: Year One, then the Dark Knight Returns part 1. And we'll probably do it all over again when part 2 comes out. A bunch of dudes in their late 30's/early 40's watching Super-Hero Cartoons is a bit Geeky, you say? Hey, when the Cartoons are as good as these are, I'll take that hit.
When my DVD gets here, it'll be time to call a few buddies and have a Batman viewing on my Sony 55 inch 1080 Hi-Def TV that would make Jack proud. First the animated film Batman: Year One, then the Dark Knight Returns part 1. And we'll probably do it all over again when part 2 comes out. A bunch of dudes in their late 30's/early 40's watching Super-Hero Cartoons is a bit Geeky, you say? Hey, when the Cartoons are as good as these are, I'll take that hit.
I am 37 pushing 38. I bought it on Vudu so I can watch it anywhere especially on my 52 inch high def TV. HDX on vudu plays at blu ray quality.
I feel like such a nerd gushing about a Batman flick but it truly is amazing.
I am glad you like it! I think any fan would. DC should be proud of themselves.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
I feel like such a nerd gushing about a Batman flick but it truly is amazing.
I am glad you like it! I think any fan would. DC should be proud of themselves.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
“I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass. And I'm all out of bubblegum.”
Certified 100% Serious
36 here....add me to the "old guys who loved this movie list". The Dark Knight Returns has LONG been my favorite book...not just comic,favorite book hands down. I've written college papers on it,preached its gospel to teachers and students alike,and-on occasion-have painted my face with a blue bat-symbol and claimed to be a Son of Batman(ok...not really...not yet). I was expecting to be WAYYYYY more critical of this flick than I was,but I loved it. They captured the mood and the essence perfectly. My only complaints were that I missed Batman's internal monologue(but I understand why that would have been hard to pull off outside of the comics)and a few of the line readings were different than what I had imagined(Peter Weller did a great job as Bats,but I felt he was lacking energy in a couple of scenes). Overall,I thought they did a great job and I REALLY cant wait for part 2-heres hoping they dont pull any punches. This was the book that made me a Green Arrow fan(see my quote) and I REALLY hope they do Ollie justice.
Hiyo Goddamn Silver!!!!
LongBowHunter, are you going to check out the new Green Arrow live action TV show premiering next Wednesday, called Arrow? I'm sure you've no doubt heard about it, but I'd feel like a jerk if I didn't give you a heads-up and you missed it.
I used to like that character a lot as a kid; mainly because he, like Batman, didn't have any super powers. I liked the Marvel Comics counterpart, Hawkeye, as well. Always wondered who'd win in a battle.
I remember very well Mike Grell's take on the character, and I liked it quite a bit. I never watched Smallville, so I didn't see the Green Arrow character on that, but hopefully they'll try to stick to what worked in the comics in this show.
I used to like that character a lot as a kid; mainly because he, like Batman, didn't have any super powers. I liked the Marvel Comics counterpart, Hawkeye, as well. Always wondered who'd win in a battle.
I remember very well Mike Grell's take on the character, and I liked it quite a bit. I never watched Smallville, so I didn't see the Green Arrow character on that, but hopefully they'll try to stick to what worked in the comics in this show.