There are many good movies about Batman, but some fly under the radar. One of the best is an animated film that totally captivated MeinMMO editor Niko because it approaches the character in a different way.
Those who know me, know: I love Batman. Be it the games, comics, series, or just movies. I enjoy both the silly movies with bad ice puns and the serious titles that explore the character on different levels.
In addition to the many live-action films, there are also countless animated films that are closer to comic templates. That’s why I also revisited the two films of The Dark Knight Returns that never played in theaters but were only released on home video.
My expectations were completely exceeded, as it is one of the best Batman films of all time because it shows Batman at his most vicious.
What is The Dark Knight Returns about? To summarize briefly: Batman has been gone for 10 years and a bitter old Bruce Wayne is trying to get the kick of his old days back by other means.
But after the new mutant gang commits increasingly brutal acts in Gotham, Bruce dons his old outfit again to save the city. But in doing so, he also attracts the attention of old foes and friends.
The Dark Knight Returns is based on the comic of the same name by Frank Miller, which is now one of the most legendary stories of Batman. The film sticks quite closely to the comic and creates a fantastic film that shows the tragic and questionable side of Batman.
Batman doesn’t just want to save the city, he needs to
What makes the film so good? Anyone who has seen Batman v Superman (which loosely based on Frank Miller’s comic) will recognize only slight hints. The aging Batman is the main focus in this animated two-parter.
While other people have become wiser and more cautious, the old Bruce Wayne is quite different: he is bitter and as Batman more brutal and ruthless. It quickly becomes clear that Batman needs the thrill of the chase, otherwise he is tormented by visions and nightmares.
His brutality is not only commented on by other characters – despite the animated guise, it’s evident. The fights are forceful, and like in no other film, Batman feels like a monster here. When he picks off criminals in the dark, I can totally understand the fear. There were even scenes that could have come from a horror film.
Along with the many fight sequences that are really impressive, the film also addresses moral and societal questions surrounding Batman. This is also my highlight in the film, as this aspect makes The Dark Knight Returns even better than Christopher Nolan’s trilogy.
The moral question behind heroes like Batman
What moral aspect is at play? Many works about Batman try to question his role. Even in The Dark Knight, his immoral surveillance of the city is criticized by Lucius Fox. Ultimately, however, these are just minor side notes that I often found too meager as a viewer.
In The Dark Knight Returns, this morality is much more central. Batman injures the criminals permanently at times, no longer even caring whether he could seriously harm them. He also takes on a new Robin sidekick who is completely untrained, putting him in danger. Watching Batman in the film, I often asked myself: does he really have to be so brutal? This makes the debate about his existence raised in the film not childish but completely understandable.
This is quite evident with his most famous villain: the Joker. In the 10 years Batman was inactive, the villain was quietly locked away in Arkham Asylum. However, when Batman returns, it also awakens the Joker’s sense of purpose.
The dynamic between Joker and Batman is a central element of the universe, and no film presents this so clearly as The Dark Knight Returns. The Joker came back to life only because of Batman and killed countless people solely because of Batman.
Batman himself does not question this; he is too obsessed with being Batman. But as a viewer, I have seen his role in the city with a conflict. The city is, after all, a pretty beautiful aspect of the film, as Gotham has never felt so alive.
The dynamic between Gotham and Batman
Why is Gotham so special in the film? Gotham is not just a city in the USA; it has always had a special dynamic, especially because of Batman. In The Dark Knight Returns, I was really excited about this, as the film shows, thanks to a terrible event, what impact Batman can have on the city, but also what potential lies within the city.
Despite the dark atmosphere and the brutal hero, particularly the city evokes a beautiful sense of hope. One understands why people live in this dangerous city, but also why Batman is willing to dedicate his life to saving Gotham.
How good is The Dark Knight Returns as an animated film? The film looks good, is solidly animated, and both the German and English dubbing are commendable. Especially the voice of Batman, portrayed by Peter Dweller, the Robocop, is quite fitting.
As an adaptation of the comic, the film does a good job. It works with panels from the comic, creating quite beautiful and unique images. Honestly: Anyone who can appreciate Batman even a little and doesn’t want to wait for the next film should definitely check out The Dark Knight Returns, as it can hold its own against any superhero film in theaters.
How can I best watch the film? Unfortunately, the film is currently not available with any subscription, but you can buy or rent it as a Deluxe Edition from the well-known providers.
The film was originally released in 2 parts, but I can recommend watching the complete work in the Deluxe Edition at once. For me, it is the best film with the Bat after The Dark Knight and The Batman. You can find MeinMMO author Christoph’s favorites here: 13 movies about Batman ranked – Which is the best?
