Review of Batman: The Killing Joke (2016) by Charlie 7 — 31 Jul 2016

It pains me to say this but I just found the entire film to be genuinely off putting. I went into the film hoping it would be a disturbing psychological thriller like the comic but unfortunately the film failed to make that impression or invoke any sense of dread and foreboding suspense mainly do to the direction.

I don't consider the dialogue of the film to be the problem considering it is the same as the comic rather it is the execution to the scenes in general that is the issue. The pacing of the film is just way to fast and gives little time for the audience to sink in the emotions in the scenes to become properly invested in it all and it's a problem.

I can get past the the concept designs for the animation but I just couldn't stand the 30 minute prologue of Batgirl and not because I didn't find her character interesting (Despite making her look trashy by having her character have an affair with Batman). Her story served as filler and felt out of place considering "The Killing Joke" comic was intended to be more of a personal story between both Batman and Joker focusing primarily on them as characters.

Other issues I encountered in the film aside from the word per word dialogue ripped straight from the comic which I could let go, I was very disappointed with the film's music. A very underwhelming score that doesn't even come close to Shirly Walker's operatic music from "Batman the Animated Series" or even "Mask of the Phantasm". Other DC animated films like "Batman Under the Red Hood" managed to have thrilling music or are creative but "The Killing Joke" score sounds very generic and just fails to give many of the scenes tension even when your clearly meant to be scared.

That's not to say it's all bad. All the performances from both actors Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill are fantastic and do the best with what they are given. I was very happy to see the "Batman Animated Series" cast reprise their roles and I would be lying if I said that I didn't chuckle at Luke Skywalker's performance as the Joker.

Overall the film to me is only "Okay". If your a Batman fan and just want to see your two favorite actors reprise memorable roles in a reenactment you've always wanted to see, you will get it. In way I'm still recommending it.