The Dark Knight Returns Animated Films (Parts 1 & 2)

**dancj** · 01-30-2013, 04:48 AM

Originally Posted by rob fleming

Was DKR when published supposed to be a future story or alternative world story? The reason I'm confused is the appearance of Ronnie Reagan, already well into his second term by the time DKR was published in '86.

The Dark Knight Returns was set in the present day with the Batman of the sixties coming out of retirement.

**Bo-Man** · 02-01-2013, 05:51 PM

In my opinion, of the DC Animated Movies, The Dark Knight Returns Parts 1&2 are the best yet!! Excellent adaptation!

**Deadman25** · 02-01-2013, 08:03 PM

Good storyline later on in Bruces future based on the Novel.

But was not a fan of the Joker what so ever. especially the voice. He just acted like a normal killer off the street that shoots down people. nothing scary about this clown. Personally he kinda looked like a transvestite with Makeup. I know they cant use Mark Hammil for every Joker apperance but there are others out there that can voice the Joker way better than this guy. Even the Joker from Redhood tops this voice actor.

**Mr. Holmes** · 02-02-2013, 01:19 AM

Originally Posted by Deadman25

Good storyline later on in Bruces future based on the Novel.

But was not a fan of the Joker what so ever. especially the voice. He just acted like a normal killer off the street that shoots down people. nothing scary about this clown. Personally he kinda looked like a transvestite with Makeup. I know they cant use Mark Hammil for every Joker apperance but there are others out there that can voice the Joker way better than this guy. Even the Joker from Redhood tops this voice actor.

I have no idea what you're talking about, Michael Emerson was brilliant and by far the best part of both parts of this movie. This Joker was pure, unrestrained ID. It's a take that's so simple but sharp. This version of the Joker is what inspired everything that came after.

**Deadman25** · 02-02-2013, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. Holmes

I have no idea what you're talking about, Michael Emerson was brilliant and by far the best part of both parts of this movie. This Joker was pure, unrestrained ID. It's a take that's so simple but sharp. This version of the Joker is what inspired everything that came after.

What makes this version of the joker better than others ? He just acted like a normal thug off tbe street but with makeup. No joker personality with this guy.

**ispacehead** · 02-02-2013, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by Deadman25

Good storyline later on in Bruces future based on the Novel.

But was not a fan of the Joker what so ever. especially the voice. He just acted like a normal killer off the street that shoots down people. nothing scary about this clown. Personally he kinda looked like a transvestite with Makeup. I know they cant use Mark Hammil for every Joker apperance but there are others out there that can voice the Joker way better than this guy. Even the Joker from Redhood tops this voice actor.

I agree. Total disappointment there.

I didn't expect him to be manic like other portrayals of the Joker, and I did expect a quieter approach to the character, as that's the way he reads in the book, but this was just an uninspired performance imho.

Emerson sounds practically bored to death to me.

**Mr. Holmes** · 02-02-2013, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by Deadman25

What makes this version of the joker better than others ? He just acted like a normal thug off tbe street but with makeup. No joker personality with this guy.

A normal thug off the street wouldn't be capable of a fraction of the crap this Joker pulled off.

I mean if you didn't like the writing, take it up with Frank Miller, but Emerson killed it.

Originally Posted by ispacehead

Emerson sounds practically bored to death to me.

You guys are crazy.

**ispacehead** · 02-02-2013, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. Holmes

You guys are crazy.

I'm sure it must be us. (man how I miss the eye rolling emoticon.)

**Deadman25** · 02-02-2013, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. Holmes

A normal thug off the street wouldn't be capable of a fraction of the crap this Joker pulled off.

I mean if you didn't like the writing, take it up with Frank Miller, but Emerson killed it.

You guys are crazy.

A Normal thug thats armed and has already had experience killing people. can still run and shoot people down to get em out of his way while running from the cops. There was nothing Scary about this Joker. nothing clown like about him. Personally I would consider that guy, like i said just an armed thug with makeup trying to immitate the joker. He didnt pull any pranks or nothing. and the voice tone was just god awful for the Joker character. nothing intense about it. no sense of humor as well.

Red Hood joker even had more of a sense of Humor and cooler personality. even though his voice tone was more serious vs silly.

**ispacehead** · 02-02-2013, 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by Deadman25

.... and the voice tone was just god awful for the Joker character.

I really think Michael Emerson was a great choice for this role, I just don't feel the best performance possible was pulled from him.

He came off sounding a little too much like Paul Lynde and didn't have that madness brimming at the edge of his voice that could have really made it work for me.

I did think his death scene was probably his best scene.

I really just thought that the rest of his performance was too tame for my tastes.

I didn't even laugh when he said "I'm going to kill everyone in this room."

And that's one of the funniest lines ever written.

The material is all there and I thought the films were wonderfully translated, I just didn't think Emerson smoked the Joker the way I would have liked.

I need to watch it again. The first one seemed to hit me better the second time around.

**Sonofspam** · 02-02-2013, 10:49 PM

The voice acting for Batman and Joker was bad the rest was good.

**Mr. Holmes** · 02-02-2013, 11:03 PM

Originally Posted by Kiryu

I recently saw both of these and imo they are at best, just okay. Weller brought nothing to the role of Batman. Michael Emerson was fantastic as Joker. Removing the narration was a terrible decision by the director made even worse then they try and sneak bits of the narration into the dialog and make it work.

The best attempt at making an animated movie from an amazing comic book, but the result does not live up to the potential imo. That's not to say it's terrible or completely unwatchable, I had fun watching it myself. But it could have been so much more. So much better. And it's a shame they didn't aim higher or that they did but fell so short.

I don't think the narration would have fit, but otherwise I agree 100%.