Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (2012)

Truly Dreadful Film

good back-story, and good acting

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

Batman has long since disappeared since his crime-fighting days but now at the age of 55, Bruce Wayne dons the cape and cowl to return to the streets of Gotham City to take on old enemy, Harvey "Two-Face" Dent for what should be the last time. Meanwhile the maniacal gang of hoodlums known as, The Mutants plague the streets of the towering metropolis with an impending confrontation with their vicious, sadistic leader on the cards.The latest in a fairly long list of animated adaptations or interpretations of the Batman mythos to be brought to the screen, The Dark Knight Returns was based on the four part 1986 graphic novel by the now legendary, Frank Miller. The very man who's formidable imagination brought forth such renowned works as, Sin City and Watchmen to name but two and seemingly had no involvement in any advisory or technical capacity. And if this full length version, (it was originally released in two chapters on two individual DVD releases) is anything to go by he needn't had done so as from from what I gather it remains irrevocably faithful to it's source material.It focus's on how Bruce Wayne (voiced by; Peter Weller best known for his iconic role in 1980's sci-fi action hit, Robocop) who has long since retired after the untimely demise of Jason Todd, the second Robin., making him feel compelled to return to a life of vigilantism. Gotham it seems is an even grimmer, meaner city metropolis that has become more of a breeding ground for crime and is descending in to inevitable anarchy. Arguably and some might claim irrefutably the most gritty and uncompromising depiction of the Dark Knight, it doesn't make it any less riveting and complex all be it implausible.Adroitly selecting the criminally unhinged Harvey "Two Face" Dent (Wade Williams) as the early antagonist who partially instigates the millionaire son of Gotham to don the cape and cowl once more, his dual nature is an ideal adage to the themes of the first half of the movie which explore duality. There's Bruce Wayne's double identity as the aged industrialist and the avenging Batman, with the divisiveness of public opinion over whether he is a positive force for change in Gotham or a self-imposed, meddling vigilante menace that is part of the problem and not the solution. They're handled adeptly via vox pops with Gothamites which are to be broadcast on the local news stations. Derivative it may be be but it still has the desired effect. There's also the dual sides of the official and unofficial iconic symbols of justice, a 70 year old Commissioner James Gordon (David Selby) who is on the verge of retiring with old friend and ally, Bruce entering again in to the battlefield streets of their once beloved city. One's on his way out as the other one is finding himself drawn right back in. There scenes together are relatively sparse but they hit the right note of bitter-sweet poignancy which compliments it's darker more brooding tone.Dent aside; the genuine and more prominent threat in the first half is the brutal and ominous gang which is practically an army of degenerate hoodlums calling themselves, The Mutants. Led by the imposing, towering presence of the maniacal Mutant Leader who as a figurehead personifies their carnal savagery concisely. Not since Bane; have we seen a nemesis that is potentially a match for the Batman, but then at 55 years of age he is irretrievably past his prime. But this is Bruce Wayne and although his physical frame has become more beleaguered with age, his mettle hasn't. Peter Weller with the subtlety of his nuanced vocal performance oozes a quiet resolute firmness that barely seems to waver.Returning momentarily to the themes of duality, there's the welcome if tried and tested addition of a new Robin, this time given the then more fresh spin of being a high spirited (are they anything else?) teenage girl named Carrie Kelly and voiced with likable spunky idealism by Ariel Winter. However, given Bruce Wayne's previous reluctance and the impetus behind his retirement, one wonders if his readiness to accept young Miss Kelly to be is latest sidekick is to push foward the plot. It feels like expedience being a rationale for forgoing some semblance of plausibility. All the same her addition makes for a wonderful story arc.All in all, and despite some discernible flaws; Chapter 1 get's this non-canon addition to the saga to a searingly intense start. The vocal talents are of the highest order, and with the formidable artistic deign and the fluidity of the animation; as well as the insinuated return of, The Joker teasing fans to purchase the second chapter, I doubt it would take much persuading.

The Dark Knight Returns part 1 is the first of the two part movie that focuses to the story line of the well known comic mini-series of 1986 which renewed the Dark Knight character and made him to the character that millions of people, myself included, consider him as one of the best if nor the best superheroes of all time! The story is well known to every average DC comic guy, Bruce after years o been in the retirement he returns to his role of protector of Gotham ,when the crime has gone out of control!Simple, strong and pretty good that story show one important thing about the Cape Crusader, he doesn't create crime ,crime creates him and for that I will quote the new district attorney from Batman: The Animated series when she saw why the criminals in Gotham did what they did "As far as I can see ,you would going to exist in to the life of crime in one form or another", in short Batman didn't create his rogues gallery rather he was forced in action by them! And here we see that this a man who gave it all in order to stop crime and seeing these new criminal trying to destroy his home is something that he can't stand. No one would stand and watch his home being burnt to the ground and do nothing.Now one bonus thing is that Batman isn't at his best here is in his mid fifties and he has a hard time coping with the criminals. But now he never results to killing them, he still believe in the best of humanity! This idea is one that was known about him and with that comic it became again the center of his ideology, that no matter what has happened. And the movie shows that ,for which I am totally satisfied.To the animation is beautiful, dynamic and even colorful and the best you feel every bunch that is given and every taken, the action has cinematic quality and I was thinking "if they combine the two parts in a two and half hour movie and put in the big screen it would awesome!! Surely better than the Killing Joke (2016).As for the voice acting is very good and the best of the team is the ex- Robocop himself Peter Weller ,his deep voice fits perfectly this interpretation of the Dark Knight. Ever time he speeches the awesomeness oozes out. In short we have perfect casting.In summary if you breath go see it now, right now, you won't regret it! The flick it is that good.

1. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Hollywood picked this story for a major live action release. Message received.2. Lots of talk about the best Batman voice. Weller nailed it. Oscar worthy and yes Virginia they do give Oscars for voice actors.3. Omigawd. Whatta script. Seen this 2-parter three times, each time I find new social commentary in the dialog. After the Joker segment you think to yourself, this can't get any better. And then you get the "schoolboy" segment. And it does.4. I am running out of adjectives. If you have not seen it already, see it now.5. Finally a note for the IMDb archive. Hollywood loves to do films about getting old. Hundreds at least. Comedies, dramas, everything in-between. I believe that over the years to come, this gem will be recognized as the greatest film about getting old ever done. They took the iconic characters that an entire generation grew up with and then imagined what things would be like at the end of life's run. Watch it with that in mind and you will see things you did not see first time around.

Few artists have ever captured the depth of character and dark soul of one of D.C's most popular characters like Frank Miller. Miller's version of Batman has always been strangely non-cannon, and using his unique style of storytelling to his advantage, he sets himself apart from the main events of the Dark Knight. He created his own world for these characters, and was given free reign to do so. So, for those of you who have never read 'The Dark Knight Returns' (ISBN 1-56389-342-8); please go out and read it before delving into this spectacular animation.The Dark Knight shows us an aged and heavily alcoholic Bruce Wayne, some years after he has given up the mantle of the Batman. He's in his mid fifties, still a strongly driven man, but without any purpose. After rounding up and beating down on Gotham's criminals for nearly three decades, he had to give up the fight for unknown reasons. Perhaps to let the city decide its own fate and let the people choose what is to become of Gotham. Maybe because they simply wouldn't stand for him anymore, nor would they let the Batman reign terror down on city streets at night, above the law of everyone else. But the time between then and now has weighed down on Bruce Wayne's shoulders, and the city is rife with even more corruption, crime, and violence than ever before. At the same time, the emergence of a new gang of criminals that go by the moniker 'The Mutants' only aggravates a city on the brink. Specifically violent, and always willing to sacrifice their own lives in the process, the Mutant's crimes are particularly heinous. Kidnapping, assault, and murder are their way of life. They have taken up a particular grudge with the now 70 year old Commissioner Gordon, and only a few short weeks before his retirement. Bruce is compelled by the Batman to once again don the cape and cowl, and seek out vengeance against those who would do harm to the innocent.This is no children's story... not by any means. It is dark, perhaps only less so than Miller's more famous works in his 'Sin City' series. But this animation is not Miller's original comic. This is an interesting, if slightly more tame version of the comic released in 1986. The art itself is a wonderful rendition meant to emulate Miller's more contrastive style of art. Fortunately it is not too heavily altered, despite such heavy use of digital design. They keep the dialogue true to the original, if only for some slight altercations (Gordon's smoking habit for one). But Jay Oliva does a great job of approaching the theme of the original, which was such a violent and heavy theme in itself. The corruption and abuse of the innocent, and how good men and women are willing to do nothing to stop it. This movie shows us Batman at his oldest, perhaps weakest moments, and questions if he still has the will to continue the fight. This film is not without the typical problems associated with comic to film renditions. There is heavy use of digital filler here in the framework, which leads to some repetitious use of the same scenes over and over again. Peter Weller did a good job overall with expressing that effort and exhaustion of Bruce Wayne through his voice. Several of the dialogue scenes between the mutant's and their way of talking seemed strangely dated and fairly silly or out of place. They also never quite seemed threatening enough in this version, to warrant the kind of media coverage they get, rather they seemed like Saturday morning cartoon goons, who await orders from their big boss, and never really get anything done. The saving point of the film however is the phenomenal soundtrack, which is reminiscent of the famous Christopher Nolan 'Dark Knight' series in which Hans Zimmer created some fantastic orchestral works. It keeps the pace of the film, and has some absolutely fantastic moments throughout which lends to that feeling that you are watching something of epic proportions.It is a fantastic effort by the D.C animation crew. Something you don't want to miss if you are a Batman fan. Most importantly it is an excellent retelling of one of the best stories ever written about the Bat.7/10