HELLO JOKERDOM!.
I finally have my computer back after it recoved from a serious virus infection and that means me back into the desk getting all the Joker stuff I can get my hands into.The first thing was to get a hold of DC’s latest animated movie DARK KNIGHT RETURNS part 1 and have to say that the piece is really magnificent.
You all SHOULD DEFINITELY have to watchi this movie.
Most of the casting is new, but James Woods makes a return to dub the Dark Knight making a great impression on me. I think that after Kevin Conroy’s decades of doning the black suit, the character could not have fallen into a better set of hands. Woods inflection sends this Caped Crusader into a much darker place, while keeping Batman faithful to its gritty nature. Batman is a man of action, not words but GOOD LORD…when he speaks you better listen.
I also applaud the rest of the cast for a wonderful job, especially that of David Selby (Gordon) and Ariel Winters (Robin).
The whole movie does a nice job of giving dimension to a story that already was leaping from the pages of the graphic novel for it’s intesity, theme and characterization. They don’t only keep Frank’s characteristic art style, but the added scenes that join the ‘panels’ from the novel, give the movie a very smooth continuity. The story did not seem forced, but fell into place even with the added artistic freedom to reinterpret the classic.
Miller’s story was multilayered. From dealing from aging in a world like Gotham, to doing what is right and heroism to the meaning of friendships and to the chaos both Mutants and Joker will bring to the city. No wonder the best decision was to divide this into two distinct movies. There could not be enough time to explore all the ideas Miller brought and the movie does a very good job and refreshing those very themes.
Definitely I think this is a great movie and an outstanding reimaging of Frank Miller’s classic.
Now, let’s talk about Joker…
He hardly participates in the movie, as he slowly wakes up from a semi catatonic stage where he has been since Batman’s retirement. Now that his Bat is back, is time to come back and he will do it in a way no one will ever forget…especially Batman. I was always worried about his characterization on the movie since later his voice casting has not been so successful. After all, Miller’s Joker is so well…Miller’s, and thus not easy to handle. He needed a voice that could be both suave, maniacal, psycho with a touch of charm. I think Joker had found his new voice with Michael Emerson, a new comer to the franchise.
This movie does not show much, but it includes nifty preview where we get to hear more. Here is the TDKR Part 2 sneak peek:
THE VIDEO HERE WAS REMOVED BY THE USER…WILL FIND ANOTHER SOURCE SOON!
I love how Emerson is capable of mixing the charm and the psycho in his interpretation. He seems to enjoy the Joker’s own twisted psychosis, to bring his best to this bad boy. I was impressed in what I saw, and was relieved that this was a Joker that definitely I would like to see.
Now, remember, this is Miller’s version Joker, set in a total different place than continuity. Wonder if Mr. Emerson could cause such a big mark on the character as to make him his own much in the way Mark Hamill did with his version (that lasted for over 2 decades and covered animation and video gaming). Could he pull off the Joker from KILLING JOKE or any other Jokercentric story translated to the screen? I will wait until I see the WHOLE performance to emit my opinion, but I have said this before in another post, I have a hunch Joker is in good hands.
For other points of view, more detailed reviews can be read at:
