Review of Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000) by Steven E — 19 Feb 2008

Batman Beyond struggled to find it's audience while it aired on Kids WB, and it was unsurprising that this excellent television series, created by the same minds that brought the 90's cartoon adaptation of the classic Batman and Robin, was never really recognized. The panache for excellent story telling as well as graphic and fast moving choreography played out very well in the theatrical length Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.

Set 60 years into the future of the DC Animated Universe, Bruce Wayne has grown too old to serve as Batman. Terry McGuiness, after accidently stumbling into the Batcave, experiences a scene very reminiscent of Bruce's own traumatic childhood when his father is killed. Vowing revenge he steals a high tech batsuit in order to catch the man responsible for his father's murder. Throughout the tv series, Terry is seen growing and becoming more competent in his role as Batman.

All of this changes when the Joker, long dead nemesis of the original Batman, returns from the grave to destroy the peace that Terry has been maintaining in Gotham. Bruce, who was present at the death of the Joker, forcibly removes Terry from his role as Batman, leaving Terry to doubt not only himself, but the worth of his character. The first time through, the movie actually has several elements that come out as a shock, and the ending is both heart-warming and well deserved.

If you can, find the unrated version of this film. It was intended for Tweens and older audiences (as was the series, but it never quite got the foothold it needed) and contains some good scenes and much more impressive dialogue.

The all too human nature of the hero known as Batman is examined fully in this movie, which alone makes it worth seeing.