A few days ago, I viewed this film again. And it got me thinking about how cool and amazing and eerie it is. Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, and Co. are master craftsmen when it comes to animating superheroes. And this film showed, yet again, why they are regarded so highly.
Author’s note: This review pertains to the PG-13 rated uncut version of the film. There is also an edited version available for a wider range of ages. But I have not seen it. Therefore, I cannot comment on the changes that have been made.
First off, lets talk about the animation. It’s beautiful. The style of art is in their typical (yet amazing) cartoony, yet dark style. Their vision of the future Gotham City is amazing: one part Tokyo, one part New York City, and one part alien world. It looks like a city that only Timm & his team of creators could come up with. Additionally, there are no choppy movements or incorrectly colored objects. All motions throughout the entire film are very fluid. The look is very clean, and crisp. No fuzzy or grainy images appear unless the filmmakers want them to. The fight scenes and action sequences are both breathtaking and pulse pounding! As for the computer animation, while it does stand out a little, is not onscreen enough to pull you out of the film. It’s truly a visual feast.
As beautiful as the animation is, the voice work and other sound effects are equally impressive. Mark Hamill (yes, that Mark Hamill. Yes, the guy who played Luke Skywalker) is amazing as the titular villain. He makes the Joker sound just like I imagine he should sound. No, scratch that. Mark Hamill is the Joker, with maniacal laughter and all - he owns the character. So much so, that I can’t ever picture anyone else ever living up to his performance. (His line about “giving Gotham a wedgie” is both hilarious and ominous.) Jack Nicholson? Eat your heart out!
Kevin Conroy is back once again as Bruce Wayne and still sounding perfect for the role. Will Friedle also reprises his role as Terry McGinnis (a.k.a. the new Batman) and is no slouch when it comes to his character’s vocals either. Even the minor roles are vocalized beautifully. There isn’t a weak performance in the entire film.
But what about the story, well, I’m glad you asked. The film begins Gotham City of the future with a gang of Jokerz (street thugs who dress like clowns to pay homage to the original Joker) stealing some high tech machinery. The new Batman (Terry) shows up, action sequences and fight scenes ensue and the Jokerz escape with next to nothing. When they return to their base, the boss is not happy. In fact, he’s furious and he kills one of the thugs who talks back to him. We see that he looks like the Joker. Not old and wrinkled like you’d imagine he would be (he is in the same age range as Bruce Wayne), but young and strong.
The Jokerz figure out another place to rob for their high tech equipment, which turns out to be (surprise) Wayne Enterprises. They disrupt a fund-raising dinner for Bruce Wayne while a few members of their team steal the equipment. Bruce is so shaken my seeing someone that he believes is dead that he fires Terry from being Batman (out of fear for Terry’s safety).
Terry does some digging and find out some unsettling secrets about Bruce Wayne’s past (as well as the pasts of Robin and Batgirl). The former Batgirl (and current police commissioner) tells Terry a very disturbing tale about how the Joker was killed and explains why he can’t be alive. Terry continues investigating who could have helped the Joker to return.
Now, I won’t spoil the big reveal for anyone who hasn’t seen it. But I will say that early into the film, the mystery (for the audience) changes from who is “aiding” the Joker (because any reasonably intelligent person will be able to figure that part out) to “how did the Joker come back?” And boy, it’s a doozy!
In the end, the heroes (and justice) prevail and order is restored (just like you knew it would be). But man, what a ride! And the ending is very heartfelt. There’s a nice sense of closure when all is said and done.
Bottom line: this is an excellent film! If you’re a fan of Bruce Timm and Paul Dini and their unique vision of the DC Comics Universe, or if you’re a fan of great action cartoons (eastern or western style), you owe it to yourself to check this film out. You won’t regret it.
