Movie Review: "Batman: The Killing Joke" - Almost Perfect (SPOILERS)

When it comes to adapting an acclaimed and well-known book into film, there's always the responsibility of being faithful to the source, and if there is the need to change something, it has to work in the flow of the overall narrative. The fans of the source can also be hyper critical of the adaptation. I've done that myself with my reviews of the Justice League animated films, "The Flashpoint Paradox" and "War". But while those films were based on more recent stories, "Batman: The Killing Joke" is almost 30 years old and is considered an overall classic, and to adapt it into an animated film is a big deal. Does it succeed? For the most part yes, but there is something bringing the overall project down.

Since the original story is too short to adapt into film on its own, a prequel story centered around Barbara Gordon/Batgirl would also be part of the film. The film even begins in a very meta way with Barbara narrating that this probably isn't how the audience thought the story would begin. Her story is centered around Batgirl dealing with a criminal that has become obsessed with her. In context of the overall film, it serves as a parallel between Batman and Joker's relationship, while also acting as the catalyst for Batman's urge to want to talk to Joker about trying to end their rivalry peacefully.
But let's discuss the controversial aspect of the film that's had everybody talking: Barbara is infatuated with Bruce, she ends up kissing him, he reciprocates, and it leads to them having rooftop sex (with a gargoyle above them apparently watching very intently).
Let's backtrack a bit though. I may be the wrong, but the idea of a Batman/Batgirl relationship seemed to start in an episode of the 90's animated series, "Batgirl Returns", where in a dream sequence, Batgirl almost kisses Batman but is awoken before it happens. The stronger hints of a romance between the two came later on in the "Batman Beyond" animated series, apparently happening during the "New Adventures" era where she more or less became Batman's main partner after Dick quit being Robin. But the furthest things ever showed to get between the two was in the "Batman Beyond" follow-up comic from 2010-2014, where it was revealed that at one point, Barbara was pregnant with Bruce's child, but lost it early on while fighting off a group of muggers.
Personally, I'm indifferent to the idea of a Bruce/Barbara relationship. I see how it's weird in the way that it's like a non-biological uncle and niece getting together, but I really don't bent out of shape about it like others do.

The film is strongest when it finally reaches the actual story its based on. It's almost a word for word adaptation of the original story, with some dialogue changes. I actually did expect that to happen, because even reading the original story, Alan Moore has a certain style with his dialogue that sometimes felt off when reading it in Batman and Joker's voices. In the film, some things were changed but what I expected to be changed remained the same.
Aside from being a superhero film, if this were to be placed in another genre, it would be a psychological thriller. That being said, it's very light on the action. It's to be expected though since the original story was as well. But there still is some action, not only in the prequel story, but with Batman actually fighting off the sideshow henchmen Joker has at the carnival. On that note, I like that those henchmen bring more to the film than they did in the book, since they were really just there to add more surrealism to the situation. Back to the action though, it's not as over the top as the other recent DC animated films. I think that can be attributed to the Bruce Timm's animation style, which is mixed here with Brian Bolland's look from the original story. It's a very back to basics approach.

For some, the main draw of this movie is the return of Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill reprising their iconic roles of Batman and Joker. Honestly though, it would have been a crime to do "The Killing Joke" and not have either of them be a part of it. Conroy is in top form as usual, but it's Hamill that really shines in this film. Not only is it great to hear him speak the lines from the original story, but he brings quite a distinction between his Joker voice and during the flashback scenes where he was still a down-on-his-luck comedian, sounding a lot more timid. Something I noticed was how after the comedian emerged from the chemicals and became the Joker, his voice became a lot more raspy. You could say that in addition, to the chemicals bleaching his skin and hair, his voice was altered as well.
As for the rest of the voice cast, we have Tara Strong again playing Barbara with Ray Wise voicing the Commissioner, both delivering good performances. If there's one voice I wasn't feeling though, it was Robert Atikin Downes playing Harvey Bullock, though I may just be spoiled by Robert Costanzo.

The film's biggest highlight was Joker's big musical number, "I Go Looney". While Alan Moore contributed the lyrics in the book, it was up to the film makers to put together a melody that would work with the lyrics. They did an excellent job and it was pretty damn entertaining. Personally, I found the song's style to be reminiscent of Danny Elfman, making me think of his songs from "Nightmare Before Christmas", which really fits because Elfman's Batman theme is so iconic and served as inspiration for the scores heard on the Animated Series, where Conroy and Hamill made their debuts as the characters.

There are two controversial plotpoints in the original story that has had readers debating for years, evoking such discussion because how subtle they were executed. I actually wondered how the film would handle them.
The first implication is that Joker raped Barbara after shooting her pointblank and paralyzing her. While I could see how that can be perceived, I never got that impression from the comic. The film, however, gives a stronger hint. In his search for the Joker, Batman questions a group of prostitutes that Joker usually visits right after he breaks out of Arkham. However, they haven't seen him and believe that he probably found someone else to, shall we say, get his jollies. It's not stated right out, but I feel one could be able to put things together. It adds more horror to the situation as well since it's hinted at more in the film than in the graphic novel.
The second implication is that in the end of the story, Batman actually kills the Joker. After Joker tells his joke as the two share in a laugh, Batman places his hands on Joker's shoulders (or possibly neck) as it pans down to a puddle being hit by rain drops. Initially, "The Killing Joke" was meant to be non-continuity story, and some believe that due to one of the main points of the book being Batman believing that he'll end up killing the Joker or vice versa, Batman laughing and killing his nemesis could be a plausible ending, signifying that he gave into Joker's worldview. In the film, the two laugh, the camera pans down to the puddle, and the credits roll. There's no sign of Batman finishing Joker, and the interpretation I got is that because they know how their relationship works, it's a twisted version of a laugh between old friends, and that Batman's laugh is his resignation to that fact.

While I won't spoil the specifics, there is a mid-credits scene that brings about a silver lining to the otherwise dark ending and wraps up Barbara's story from the prequel.

All this said, the film is damn near perfect adaptation of "The Killing Joke" when it gets to the actual story. However, the prequel portion of the film hurts the overall product. The story there is fine, but it has very little bearing when it gets to the story everyone is there to see. Let's think back to Ron Howard's live action adaptation of the Grinch. There was A LOT of original material added to the film, but it was all building up to the main story people are familiar with. But with the "Killing Joke" film, it feels like two separate stories.

Overall, "Batman: The Killing Joke" is sure to please many fans of the book and the voice actors, making it a worthy addition to their film collections.

RATING: 7.5/10