Review of Batman: The Killing Joke (2016) by Skeptec — 24 Jul 2016

I came in not knowing the story at all for this film. I was told by my friend that it follows the comic basically perfectly. That said, I thought the story was really boring. The movie felt like it ended when it just had started. I was severely disappointed that I wasted my money to see this movie. The animation of the scenery was really good. I really liked that, however the character animation looked very stiff, and lacked the quality of the beautiful scenery they created. Mark Hamill on the Joker was solid, however I found Bat Girl's voice actor to not come off as very genuine. It sounded like someone trying to act. Batman's voice actor was cringy at times. I also felt like he was someone acting as batman, not that the voice was genuinely Batman. I get that he did the cartoons, but he failed it for me.

This movie literally could have been PG-13 if they took out about 4 seconds of this film. The R rating seemed unnecessary. A scene that felt forced was Batgirl having sex with batman. That scene didn't feel like it was realistic.

The character Paris Franz was probably the most interesting character in the film, and he felt almost unnecessary. I was more interested by his story line than by the Joker's. I remember getting about 25-30 minutes into this film, and realizing this movie was supposed to be about the Joker. They didn't have nearly enough time to develop the Joker's character enough to make me care about it. Sorry! I understand comic fans already have an opinion of the joker, and a love for him by this film, but as a stand alone this film felt like garbage story wise.

Batgirl wasn't developed enough for me to care about her getting paralyzed. Wasn't developed well enough for me to care about her putting down her cape. She wasn't developed well enough at all. I simply didn't care about her because the story didn't make me feel like I cared.

The film is just not long enough to get someone invested in the story unless they already are invested in the story from comics or otherwise. It does not stand alone well at all.

When the film ended, the first reaction in my head wasn't the usual good feelings you get from a great movie, or even an average movie. All I was thinking was, "There is no way it's already done." Spoiler, it was already over.

Basically, Batman: The Killing Joke is a super shallow film, that leaves you only wishing it was longer and that the story made you care about the characters. Unless you are a huge comic book junkie already this film is not for you, and you will leave the theaters feeling like you wasted your money. Avoid it.