Review of Batman: The Killing Joke (2016) by James E — 25 Jul 2016

Going in I was excited truly it was a dream come true for me. I knew that the movie had to be padded since it was a 30-40 page graphic novel which I was fine with. I liked how they delved into both perspectives, and then they met somewhere in the middle.

I saw a stronger yet more fragile side of batgirl which intrigued me. In the past I knew she was strong but you never really saw her at her most emotionally vulnerable. That to me made her seem real to me even in the face of her mentor she had to be strong so once the walls came crashing down you get to see the young woman and her crush ( and yes she did have a crush on Batman starting out) and part of that vulnerability was seeing her nearly go over the edge.

And that gave one perspective as to why she quit because she did before the true events of the killing joke took place. It wasn't a sign of weakness she had seen the abyss and she didn't like what she saw.

It also changed her view of Batman and his cold demeanor. He detaches himself to protect others and that is the difference between him and Superman, but that's a review for another day. I knew that this wasn't going to be a movie for everyone and yes the flow was a little slow, but that gave the story time to breathe.

The killing joke portion was nearly word for word panel for panel and that surprised me. Normally in a movie especially in an animated film that is based on a comic artistic liberties are taken. However in this case it was a true adaptation.

I was just so engrossed and amazed at the attention to detail. It was Batman's darkest hour. And it was just as dark and gritty as I imagined it would be. But the point the Joker was trying to make was: A good man could be stripped of his sanity, a hero can be brought to his level, and a young woman can be left helpless.

Not so Gordon was the one who kept his wits, Batman in spite of all the horror still wanted to find a peaceful solution, and Barbara rose from the ashes and became even stronger an Oracle sees all. The movie has been unfairly reviewed because all we can see is the negative, but I could see the light through the darkness.

This is why I give it the highest rating. Because there is a message here. Everyone has a bad day, but that shouldn't be the end there is always a tomorrow.