Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000) by Curt Geda--It's hard to believe that a direct-to-video animated film could be better than the last four Batman films, but it is. Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker is the denouement of the Batman universe created in Batman: The Animated Series in 1992. The story is the final passing of the baton from Bruce Wayne to protégé Terry McGinnis, who has now become the new Batman. This film returns to the roots of the Batman mythology by reviving the Joker, who was apparently killed in the Batman: Gotham Knights series through a brilliant story device involving the second Robin, Tim Drake.
When this video was first released much was cut out due to the intense violence and psychological complexity inherent to the story of the Joker's final demise. Thankfully, two years later a restored version of the original vision was released on DVD with a new PG-13 rating. The flashback sequences showing the Joker's apparent death are absolutely inspired. Mark Hamill has never been better voicing the man in the purple suit. His over-the-top insanity is the perfect counterpoint to the reserved Bruce Wayne and the sometimes over-eager Terry McGinnis. Joker's relationship with Tim Drake in the film is heartbreaking and terrifying simultaneously. Likewise, the psychology behind what it means to dress up like a bat and be a vigilante is explored in much greater detail than I think any previous incarnation of Batman. Through the story device of Bruce Wayne mentoring the new Batman Terry, Bruce gets to ruminate on what exactly it means to be Batman, thus deepening our understanding of what I consider to be the most intriguing heroic figure of comic mythology. The animation of the film includes some of the best action scenes in the entire Batman animated universe, but I think that ultimately its emphasis on the action detracts from the most important elements of the story, that of the exploration of Batman and vigilantism and developing the relationship between Bruce Wayne and Terry, and Joker and Tim Drake. If some of the action scenes had been cut down to better accommodate character and thematic development I think the film could have been even better, but considering that the animation is entirely hand-drawn it is truly a spectacular sight to behold. B+
When this video was first released much was cut out due to the intense violence and psychological complexity inherent to the story of the Joker's final demise. Thankfully, two years later a restored version of the original vision was released on DVD with a new PG-13 rating. The flashback sequences showing the Joker's apparent death are absolutely inspired. Mark Hamill has never been better voicing the man in the purple suit. His over-the-top insanity is the perfect counterpoint to the reserved Bruce Wayne and the sometimes over-eager Terry McGinnis. Joker's relationship with Tim Drake in the film is heartbreaking and terrifying simultaneously. Likewise, the psychology behind what it means to dress up like a bat and be a vigilante is explored in much greater detail than I think any previous incarnation of Batman. Through the story device of Bruce Wayne mentoring the new Batman Terry, Bruce gets to ruminate on what exactly it means to be Batman, thus deepening our understanding of what I consider to be the most intriguing heroic figure of comic mythology. The animation of the film includes some of the best action scenes in the entire Batman animated universe, but I think that ultimately its emphasis on the action detracts from the most important elements of the story, that of the exploration of Batman and vigilantism and developing the relationship between Bruce Wayne and Terry, and Joker and Tim Drake. If some of the action scenes had been cut down to better accommodate character and thematic development I think the film could have been even better, but considering that the animation is entirely hand-drawn it is truly a spectacular sight to behold. B+