Few artists have ever captured the depth of character and dark soul of one of D.C's most popular characters like Frank Miller. Miller's version of Batman has always been strangely non-cannon, and using his unique style of storytelling to his advantage, he sets himself apart from the main events of the Dark Knight. He created his own world for these characters, and was given free reign to do so. So, for those of you who have never read 'The Dark Knight Returns' (ISBN 1-56389-342-8); please go out and read it before delving into this spectacular animation.
The Dark Knight shows us an aged and heavily alcoholic Bruce Wayne, some years after he has given up the mantle of the Batman. He's in his mid fifties, still a strongly driven man, but without any purpose. After rounding up and beating down on Gotham's criminals for nearly three decades, he had to give up the fight for unknown reasons. Perhaps to let the city decide its own fate and let the people choose what is to become of Gotham. Maybe because they simply wouldn't stand for him anymore, nor would they let the Batman reign terror down on city streets at night, above the law of everyone else. But the time between then and now has weighed down on Bruce Wayne's shoulders, and the city is rife with even more corruption, crime, and violence than ever before. At the same time, the emergence of a new gang of criminals that go by the moniker 'The Mutants' only aggravates a city on the brink. Specifically violent, and always willing to sacrifice their own lives in the process, the Mutant's crimes are particularly heinous. Kidnapping, assault, and murder are their way of life. They have taken up a particular grudge with the now 70 year old Commissioner Gordon, and only a few short weeks before his retirement. Bruce is compelled by the Batman to once again don the cape and cowl, and seek out vengeance against those who would do harm to the innocent.
This is no children's story... not by any means. It is dark, perhaps only less so than Miller's more famous works in his 'Sin City' series. But this animation is not Miller's original comic. This is an interesting, if slightly more tame version of the comic released in 1986. The art itself is a wonderful rendition meant to emulate Miller's more contrastive style of art. Fortunately it is not too heavily altered, despite such heavy use of digital design. They keep the dialogue true to the original, if only for some slight altercations (Gordon's smoking habit for one). But Jay Oliva does a great job of approaching the theme of the original, which was such a violent and heavy theme in itself. The corruption and abuse of the innocent, and how good men and women are willing to do nothing to stop it. This movie shows us Batman at his oldest, perhaps weakest moments, and questions if he still has the will to continue the fight.
This film is not without the typical problems associated with comic to film renditions. There is heavy use of digital filler here in the framework, which leads to some repetitious use of the same scenes over and over again. Peter Weller did a good job overall with expressing that effort and exhaustion of Bruce Wayne through his voice. Several of the dialogue scenes between the mutant's and their way of talking seemed strangely dated and fairly silly or out of place. They also never quite seemed threatening enough in this version, to warrant the kind of media coverage they get, rather they seemed like Saturday morning cartoon goons, who await orders from their big boss, and never really get anything done. The saving point of the film however is the phenomenal soundtrack, which is reminiscent of the famous Christopher Nolan 'Dark Knight' series in which Hans Zimmer created some fantastic orchestral works. It keeps the pace of the film, and has some absolutely fantastic moments throughout which lends to that feeling that you are watching something of epic proportions.
It is a fantastic effort by the D.C animation crew. Something you don't want to miss if you are a Batman fan. Most importantly it is an excellent retelling of one of the best stories ever written about the Bat.
7/10
