Batman: The Killing Joke

Before buying this I looked into the very mixed reviews and it amazes me how excessive people are in their criticisms. I mean I know that’s what a review is for, and people love Batman, but really? ONE star!?! You disliked the film so much so as to say you hated it? All the negative criticisms seem to come from two main things, and the questionable need for those things. It’s true, the prologue does add very little, and it is a little disjointed from the main body of the film. Consequently it feels a little like filler which enables a higher price tag. Without it though the film would be only 50 minutes long and its creation could potentially be hard to justify. I haven’t read the iconic graphic novel but a prologue seems like a small price to pay for an animated film of the thing people love. The second main criticism is of one particular scene in that prologue that literally lasts about 5 seconds, and while it is a little out of character, it by no means ruins the film, especially as many people wrote the prologue off as rubbish anyway! I can understand why some wouldn’t like it though. Batman’s contribution to the Joker/Batman relationship is a little more wooden than I would like, and the end is a little like ‘that’s all folks’ but to be fair, that IS all! There is little need for anything more. Overall the film is pretty good, it’s not amazing, it’s not poor, it’s just pretty good with some cool bits.

As other reviewers have noted, it is nice to see and hear an end product in the Warner Brothers animated Batman canon that is similar to the original animated series (just check out the two Batmobiles and then try telling me they weren't inspired by those in the animated series). The Batgirl prologue is unnecessary, but not without its merits. However, there is one scene in particular that cheapens the whole Batman/Batgirl dynamic in an almost unforgivable way. Aside from this, the major controversy (as with the original graphic novel) is in what befalls Barbara Gordon, rather than any real controversy surrounding The Joker himself. He just behaves as you would expect a criminally insane psycho would behave against someone like Commissioner Gordon. It is fantastic to hear Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill and Tara Strong re-inhabit their most iconic Batman roles once more and hopefully all will be back again soon. The music from some of the original composers of the animated series also deserves special mention as being one of the best in the DC animated original films. Keep films like this coming, but maybe dial down deviating much from the source material!

This isn't really a full length movie - rather it's one story used to pad out the killing joke to a movie length. Don't waste your money - buy the Graphic novel instead.

I’ve got to Admit, I rented this, last week: and didn’t take to it. Granted, Mark Hamill is fantastic, as the Joker. But I feel the original graphic novel was a far better telling of the story.

I used to enjoy watching Batman TAS and have always loved the Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamil voice acting and am glad that they can still do them. Like many of the other reviewers, I am not keen on the Batgirl prologue. I personally thought it wasn't necessary as it was connected to the rest of the film but that hadn't put me off watching the film. I think some of the negative reviews are a bit too negative and four stars is enough for an enjoyable film.

I was expecting great things and I'm sad to say that it's a very disappointing movie. The first part of the movie feels like a different story to the later half and some of Batman's behaviour is just wrong. Not how he would act. Also, for a film that's supposed to be about The Joker, there's very little Joker.

Frankly 90% of the criticism I've seen for this film is regarding Barbara Gordon's apparently "over sexualised" role in the film. It's honestly not even THAT bad, and besides, it's just one aspect of a bigger story. This film gives great insight into the the Joker's origins and the ending left me in awe - it's Batman as you've never seen him before. Don't listen to the haters!

For the life of me I can't get the iTunes Extras to work. Got the current iOS, connected to Wifi plus I bought the HD version of the film - and it's STILL not letting me watch them! Anyone else having this problem?

What a massive let down, feel like I've been robbed of £9.99 :(

Unless you are familiar with the source material, you may not fully appreciate this film. Even though the Batgirl prologue wasn't necessary, the reaction from certain audiences was quite exaggerative and the filmmakers intentions behind it are completely understandable. Sadly the dislike for the prologue has overshadowed the strong performances from Tara Strong and Kevin Conroy. Like with Mask of the Phantasm, the film truly comes to life when Mark Hamill's Joker appears on-screen. My personal favourite scene is when the Clown Prince of Crime sings "I Go Looney"; a truly twisted and superbly executed sequence! Whilst the controversy with the prologue unfairly plagues this film, the many qualities found make this anticipated project worth the wait.