Review of Batman: The Killing Joke (2016) by Late R — 15 Aug 2017

Brutal and violent with a couple of particularly unsettling scenes, 'The Killing Joke' is certainly darker than anything seen in DC's previous animated efforts and a refreshing change of pace.

Based on a well-known graphic novel (which I have not read, just for the sake of disclosure), the premise is interesting and had potential, but whatever went wrong in the translation to the big screen, it simply doesn't make for very compelling viewing and lacks the necessary tension one would expect.

The first half seems completely disconnected and is bordering on pointless, but even in the second half of the film that gets to the crux of the story, the only charismatic and interesting character is the Joker who, without a doubt, steals the show.

At least the ending is spectacular in all its glory, bizarreness and ambiguity.