Batman: The Killing Joke
Batman: The Killing Joke (2016) is a highly anticipated but deeply divisive animated adaptation of Alan Moore’s iconic comic. The film promises a dark and psychological look at the Joker’s origins and his relationship with Batman, but it struggles to balance the source material with added content, ultimately weakening its impact. Kevin Conroy returns as Batman, and Mark Hamill reprises his role as the Joker, both delivering strong voice performances that are often undercut by the film’s tonal inconsistencies.
The first part of the film attempts to explore the Joker’s backstory, but it diverges from the original narrative with an extended prologue that shifts focus away from the central themes. The middle section delivers the titular confrontation between Batman and the Joker, featuring moments of tension and psychological horror that are familiar from the comic. However, these sequences are often overshadowed by unnecessary additions, pacing issues, and a conclusion that many fans found controversial and tonally jarring.
Overall, Batman: The Killing Joke is a disappointing adaptation that fails to live up to its legendary source material. While the voice acting and some animated sequences are solid, the film’s misjudged additions and inconsistent tone prevent it from reaching the level of the original comic, leaving it as a flawed but occasionally interesting curiosity for Batman fans.