I love what Liu, Timm and company attempted to do in terms of adapting as much of Bolland's art to the film.
Hey guys, I know its been awhile since i've posted anything on here (if you go to my Ant's Comics N Stuff Blog, i basically showcased the current comics that i'm currently working very hard on and other things). Regardless of everything, I Had good time seeing #BatmanTheKillingJoke with @rogerasdfghjkl (again thanks for the invitation, I genuinely appreciate it), Romer, @jj_asl and @j.von . Thanks for inviting me to see the film. Glad it was as close as it could be while taking some liberties from the comics. Basically, I'm just glad to see a fine adaption of my top fave batman story ever made other than Morrison's Arkham Asylum (which if they decide to animate that, Morrison needs to be part of it) would be great. I snapped an image of the behind the scenes commentary that was screened. #batman #dcanimation #DCcomics #gotham #kevinconroy #markhamill
That was my instagram post that I made. now, I have to say, this film, was what I was hoping for it to be, while at the same time, unexpectedly different from what I thought it would be. Which isn't to say that it was bad, because it was far from it! In fact, it was just different. This animated film has been in development talks for almost 20 years since Batman: The Animated Series (1992). Its based on one of my fave top tier (character study based) Batman stories of all time which has inspired the first dark live action 1989 Tim Burton /Micheal Keaton Batman film, which helped kick off super hero films in a more noir direction where characters are suspicious, dangerous, and complex just like its ol source material. Going forward in time, It still has an effect on all things batman, I mean the original Alan Moore/ Brian Bolland comic was one of the most influential comics that it inspired alot of the material for Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight ( aside from also being inspired by Jeph Leob/ Tim Sale's The Long Halloween, and Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns and Grant Morrison's Arkham Asylum). I mean, Heath Ledger relied on Moore's The Killing Joke aside from Morrison's Arkham Asylum for character study and analysis when he locked himself in a room for preparation for the role. The story is so vital that it's even referenced in a variety of the DC universes (pre 52 and Post New 52,and most recently DC Rebirth). The book is so crucial to Comic books, not just because it was the origin story of the Joker, but mostly because much like how Moore's/ Dave Gibbons Watchmen and Frank Miller/ Lynn Varley's Dark Knight Returns along with Grant Morrison's Arkham Asylum changed the landscape of Batman comics and his mythos, but it also changed comic books and literature forever. The reason why this book was so crucial to any for of literature (If I dare) is that its center is about two individuals who are two polar opposites ,yet despite their differences, their approach to battling each other with ideology and wits beyond their fists is what it made it so well received as a standalone story (or universal tale). It was meant to be an Else Worlds tale ( a original stand alone story not based in mainstream continuity ) which proposed the idea of what could be considered Moore and Bolland's vision of an ideal end to the Batman and Joker conflict.
At the primeir it was cool to see the behind the scenes featurettes of how the score soundtrack for the film was made, in addition to Bruce Timm, and Mark Hamill reflecting on their work together since they first did Batman the Animated series all those years ago. Now, personally for those who have seen the movie, I could understand how people felt about a certain dynamic between Batman and Batgirl (Barbra Gordon who is somewhat in her 20's ,at least one could assume). But I took in consideration that this film is an adaption, you can only adapt or fill in as much of a gap as you can to get the right amount of running time for a film of any medium. Since the Killing Joke graphic novel is a very careful read, in terms of animation, it could speed by pretty quick depending on how its handled. Ironically in this film, its handled well in terms of this newly made Batgirl back up story that accompanies the film. Once the movie moves past the batgirl segment and jumps straight into the Killing Joke, it follows as much of the source material almost panel to panel & line for line. Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill as Batman and Joker are always perfect since they literally are the ideal voices that come to mind when any batman fan in the last 20 years since the animated series reads anything batman. They do a good job at playing their roles, especially Hamill of course. In my eyes he will always be the ideal Joker more than any live action version. But I have to admit that the film sorta felt a little subdued , as if it held back a little in terms of certain scenes and delivery. It's odd to explain, but some of the impact that you get in the graphic novel, doesn't feel as strong as the graphic novel at times due to the way some lines are delivered and scenes set up. I have to add that Tara Strong did a good job voicing as Batgirl (which is another brief nostalgia trip since BTAS). But in terms of other odd moments.. I felt that some part of the later end of the film, could have utilized more delay in terms of allowing for the laughing between the two to linger on a little more. I wished they had shown the police sirens blaring or have the thunder in the sky crackle as it was portrayed in the original Graphic Novel.
Regardless, I enjoyed the film. Its good for what it is, but it made me wonder what they could have done if there was another animated style or animated format that could have been utilized. In some ways, I kinda wish that they had the original color of the original print of the Graphic Novel, but alas, that's just a minor nitpick. The film is overall a solid one and manages to do what it can. When I sat in the movie theater for the open night premier of the animated film, it was cool to see the audience really digging the film, and the joker was actually funny. I enjoyed the vile yet philosophical parts of the joker in terms of reflecting and poking at the irony of humanity and its universal /societal social woes which like the graphic novel was handled well. In the end, I enjoyed the film Bruce Timm and co have done well with most of the animated films along with director Sam Liu. Despite how I love this film, I will admit, I felt there was something missing emotionally in some way, either way, it was still good in my book.
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