The Dark Knight Returns Part 1 is the latest direct to video DC animated film. It’s a solid adaptation of the first two (of four) books in the Frank Miller “what if future” limited series. This four issue story did so much for the comic industry back in 1986. Not only did it breath new life into the industry, it basically proved to Warner Brothers that Batman was a cultural touchstone and would be a viable center for a film franchise. It helped to shift the tone of comic book storytelling and reshaped how we all viewed Batman.
Now a direct adaptation of that seminal series is beginning to arrive. Beginning to – I chose that word beginning purposefully because this is the first half of the story. The second half of this story is due to arrive some time early next year.
And this is my biggest problem with the film.
At just over an hour (70-some minutes, including credits) it’s over just as it is getting started. Sure, we get a solid distillation of the first two issues, and the ending is entirely appropriate as a lead-in to what will follow, but there is no reason for this. What should have happened was both parts should have been featured as one actual film-length feature. Maybe it would have wound up around two and a half hours. Is Warner Brothers implying that audiences wouldn’t be capable of witting through such a thing? That’s how it comes across and it is an insult to the viewer.
Set 10 years after Batman’s retirement (we are given to imply it is a result of what happened to the second Robin) Police Commissioner James Gordon is set to retire. Harvey Dent is also getting paroled after plastic surgery and therapy have healed his scars. A new gang terrorizes Gotham City. The stage is set and after Harvey Dent proves himself still mentally unstable, Batman comes out of retirement.
One of the themes in the original comic was how Batman retired. From what I remember (and this is only because I can’t find my original comics that are in storage) the issue was less about Batman wanting to stop, but instead being forced to retire because of government interference. This whole aspect is missing, and was a seminal theme in Frank Miller’s writing. Written as much as a solid Batman story as it was social commentary on news, politics and society in general, this was a scathing indictment perhaps of our own individual apathy towards just about anything.
Another feature of the original comic was the first person narrative. Frank Miller’s Batman let the reader into his head. Over the course of the four issues we had a narration that showed us just how focused, driven and messed up Bruce Wayne is. Save for a couple of instances, this is all gone, and that is missed. I understand why this was done, but the film does suffer for it.
While there are some (major) missteps, The Dark Knight Returns Part 1 does have a lot that does work. First off, the tone is appropriately dark and grim. The artwork respects Frank Miller’s style. The voice acting ranges from very good to outstanding – Peter Weller as Batman works well, and Ariel Winters is perfect as the new Robin. We also get Michael McKean (!) as Doctor Wolper, David Selby as Gordon, Dee Bradley Baker, and more.
Frankly, I think this might be about as good of a first half of as good of a representation of The Dark Knight Returns in any other medium other than its original four issues. Batman returns from retirement, takes down Two-Face and the Mutant gang, picks up another sidekick and we are teased with what is to come.
I do wish it were the full story, however long it may have been to deliver it.
On the Blu-ray we get a solid presentation of the feature looking and sounding crisp and clear. The special features kick off with a look at this first female Robin, and her role in comics history. It’s just under 15 minutes but is highly interesting and informative. Then we get Batman & Me: The Bob Kane Story which was previously available (and is still too short). Then we get a “sneak peek” at part two, but no featurette for part one. Dumb. Two episodes of the Batman animated series round things out.
Listed as a special feature is “Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Digital Comic” – I was excited, because as I mentioned before, I couldn’t find my original comics, and was looking forward to rereading this story. What we get are four pages from the first issue. FOUR PAGES!! That’s not a comic, that’s offensive.
There are so many things that should have gone right with this release, but Warner Brothers just wouldn’t fully commit. It’s a shame, really, because this is a great story, and the adaptation is good, but as a package it is glaringly incomplete.