Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker Review

(I am not a comic otaku and as such I will take precautions to reference the comic canon in relation to the film in a reasonable manner so as not to seem biased towards the animated medium)

Batman Beyond has not been a series I’ve had much interest in, but when I heard there was a movie with the Joker involved, I was already hooked and bought it. The premise gets complex with involvement of a Robin more familiar to newer fans, not to mention the whole background of Earth in the 23rd century or so. But I imagine this film can’t be all bad when you involve the Joker coming back. So let’s explain the plot.

We start with the Jokerz, a group of thugs basing their theme on the long deceased Joker, stealing equipment from a warehouse, but they are confronted by Batman (the Terry McGinnis version). They manage to escape and even with Terry beating them off, they get what they wanted (in the form of a microchip) and go back to their hideout elsewhere. Meanwhile Batman Sr. (Bruce Wayne) is practicing his skills (just for the fun of it) and Terry returns, noting the oddity of the Jokerz seeking out high tech equipment. Batman suggests it’s for black market interests and they watch to a news report, where it is revealed Bruce is returning to active ownership, though some members, one Jordan Price, are not as enthusiastic. Bruce notes that he’ll be willing to keep him if he follows his terms, since he worked so hard to regain his family’s company that he is not going to bend to pressures like Price would exert on him. Terry then goes to a rave party (from the looks of it), though he’s not getting enough rest, so he’s dozing off to the chagrin of his girlfriend, Dana. Meanwhile, we meet the head of the Jokerz and see his brutality first hand as he shoot a freaking flag spike into Bonk (though in the uncensored version he just sprays him with Joker gas and he is incapacitated for the rest of the film). Joker then motivates the group (through fear more than anything) to look for the last piece of equipment he needs. They find it in the same location where WayneCorp is welcoming Bruce back into his original position. The Jokerz attack (Bruce still competent in his old age) and the original Joker is revealed to still be alive, and the group succeeds in getting the tech they needed. Afterwards we hear that Bruce is less than concerned with that for the moment or is dodging the issue of the Joker’s resurrection. Meanwhile we see who is supposed to be Tim Drake reacting negatively to the Joker’s reappearance as well. Terry inquires about the Joker to Barbara Gordon, now the Commissioner and she insists he should stop questioning about him as well, Tim Drake coming in for an appointment, making one suspicious about his involvement with the Joker in the past. Terry discusses the issue again with Bruce in the Batcave and he reveals that the original Joker has been dead for decades. Bruce then shocks Terry with the request to return the Batman suit, which Terry disputes. Bruce leaves in frustration, mulling on how none of his protégés really understood why he took them in. Terry throws the suit at him in frustration and runs off. Terry then tells his family through breakfast that he’s not working for Bruce anymore. We then shift to him enjoying himself at the rave club with Dana, but the Jokerz attack. We suddenly change scenes to Bruce making Joker anti-toxin and being attacked by the Joker who apparently has figured out his identity. The Jokerz persist in their attack on Terry in the rave club. He manages to kick their butts with sheer guts and goes back to the Wayne Manor, thinking Bruce is in danger since he isn’t answering his phone. Bruce has been infected with the Joker toxin, but Terry manages to save him. We then get more backstory from Barbara about what happened to the Joker. It turns out he kidnapped Tim Drake and tortured him, nearly turning him to evil as a twisted adopted son, but Tim managed to break free, though in the process he killed the Joker and it took years for him to recover. Bruce was wounded as well, supposedly explaining his limp and Barbara saw Harley fall to her apparent death. Batman Sr. blamed himself for what happened and forbade Tim from being Robin again. Terry suspects Tim is somehow involved and he inquires, seeing Tim’s resentment towards Bruce, but also not seeing any evidence that Tim is connected to the Joker. Investigating Jordan Price, it is discovered that he helped the Jokerz break into WayneCorp, but now the Jokerz have been ordered by Joker to kill Price. Terry saves him after he is nearly killed by a giant beam from the sky. He and Bruce discuss the possibility of Tim being the Joker, since Tim noted he hated the Robin suit, it being the only suit damaged when Joker attacked. Along with Joker’s resentment for Robin killing him, the pieces start linking up and the conclusion is that somehow Tim Drake is the new Joker. There’s also the evidence of the giant beam from a defense satellite being shot and the Jokerz having stolen equipment enabling them to build a satellite jamming system, something Tim Drake would know how to do. Bruce accepts this and they team up again, Terry heading out to confront Tim about his connection to the Joker, Joker trapping him and revealing his plans. Terry escapes, discovering the new hideout at an abandoned candy factory. The Joker finds out and chases Terry with his satellite beam, but eventually gives up for some reason. Terry takes out the Jokerz, finding Tim Drake in the hideout. But it is revealed through a sudden transformation sequence and explanation afterwards that Joker had put a microchip in the base of Tim’s skull encoded with his DNA, slowly changing Tim into Joker’s replacement. The dominance over Tim has become effortless now, and so Joker continues with his plan of domination through his hacked satellite defense system. He threatens various locations of people close to Terry, who surprises Joker by sending Ace the dog to stop him and get him free from the restraint Joker put on him. Joker fights back, but Terry sabotages his satellite plan and causes it to be programmed to head straight to their present location. Joker continues to fight, revealing he has the advantage, knowing everything the original Batman and Robin did in their prime. But Terry reflects that he knows nothing about him and turns the tables on him with some of Batman’s advice and his own reflection that he’s unpredictable and unknown to the Joker in full. He starts taunting Joker and eventually drives him to fight back more directly. Terry’s in serious danger (being choked by the Joker), but he manages to turn Joker’s joy buzzer on himself and sever his connection through the microchip, defeating him and getting Tim out of there as the beam destroys the factory. Meanwhile, the Dee Dee sisters are taken in by their grandmother, Harlequin, who managed to survive her fall and is now reformed. Terry, Barbara, and Tim reminisce on valuing the people they care about, Bruce returning and telling Terry that he deserves to be Batman, and that he has made Batman better by being himself. Terry then flies off into the city as the film ends.

Terry McGinnis as a character conforms to the animated series as best my memory recalls him. A tough kid with something of an attitude who nevertheless respects and agrees with Batman’s quest and continues it on in his mentor’s stead. Bruce Wayne is also quite similar to his Batman Beyond depiction, old and yet maintaining his personality. His dog Ace gives us the reflection that he has accepted his frailty, but we also see that he keeps himself in as good shape as a man of his age can and aids Terry in his own way. The Joker’s personality is depicted excellently by Mark Hamill, the new look only reflective of the times, but his general demeanor is the same, resenting Batman and yet dependent on him to derive any meaning in his own career as a supervillain. Tim Drake is the third Robin and the one I’m the most familiar with, having watched Teen Titans as a teen and reading the Robin comic series as a kid. His personality also reflects the passing of time, somewhat resentful of Bruce, but also appreciative in the end of having kept on his quest in the form of his new student. Barbara Gordon’s involvement is important if only because she gives us the other side of the story, from one that was also enlisted by Batman grudgingly and closer to Tim’s age, but an age so as to have some accessibility to Bruce as well. Not to mention she tells the backstory behind the Joker’s death almost better than Batman could, though it is obviously noted that he really doesn’t want to think about it or talk about it, since he feels so responsible.

The two main themes are the observed relation between Bruce and Terry as two different but similar Batmen. There is some backstory from Batman Beyond I could spoil, but suffice it to say, they behave very much like they are family, even if they may not be in all technical senses. Bruce’s resignation to being Terry’s support and desire to take over his company balance his character as someone who has passed on the mask in all but advice he can still give to Terry. The new Batman fights dirty and can relate more to the punks he fights as he admits he was a bad kid himself. His devotion to the mission of the Batman is striking; sacrificing even his relationship with his girlfriend to an extent and staying distant from his family for all that he still loves them, much like Bruce did in the past. The relation between them is especially clear in that willingness to sacrifice and also to learn from each other’s perspectives on how they approach being the Batman. The other strong theme is Batman’s feeling that he is not right for involving others in his quest. He feels especially guilty for inevitably causing Tim’s capture and torture, changing him into Joker’s twisted son and driving him into madness. But even through all this, Terry notes to him that even with all the resentment involved that he, Tim and Barbara, as well as Nightwing (otherwise known as Dick Grayson) all agreed on one important thing and that was seeking to protect Gotham from evildoers. However much even he and Bruce differ, both Terry and Bruce recognize that each of them complements each other in the quest for good and protecting Gotham.

While not my favorite Batman movie, it would definitely rank among my top 5 movies featuring Batman, considering there are others that might not be as good: Batman vs Dracula coming to mind. The progression of Joker’s involvement as well as the use of the science fiction background to involve Joker in a real sense makes it a good complement to Joker’s involvement in Mask of the Phantasm, however late he appeared. Mark Hamill’s portrayal is probably what keeps him legitimate and especially chilling. And involving Tim Drake and Barbara Gordon solidifies how we can connect this to the original Batman animated series from the 90s. Final ranking of this film is another 5 out of 5, though my recommendation suffers down to about 70% because of the potential unfamiliarity people would have with the setting of Bruce Wayne aside as the original Batman in favor of Terry McGinnis. Until next time, Namaste and Aloha.

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm Review

(Not being a comic otaku, I will still strive to connect this to the comics as best I can. Batman is one of my favorite comic book anti heroes and I will pay respect to him as best I can in this review of a film adaptation)

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is a film made in the early 90s depicting an original idea without much reference to comic canon (if at all). Inspired by the success of Batman: The Animated Series, the film was a collaboration of the show’s writers. It portrays a darker version of Batman, yet still relates it to the series itself. This was one of my favorite films as a kid and for good reason. The plot flows well, the themes are excellent, the atmosphere is decidedly like the comics (dark, seedy, earthy) and characterizations are spot on, especially Mark Hamill as the Joker, continuing his role from the animated series. This is everything that made the
Batman animated series great compressed into a feature length film. Onto synopsis.

We pan onto Gotham City and zoom in on illegal money laundering going on in a fancy conference room with one Chuckie Sol. Batman kicks ass, but Chuckie manages to escape in the confusion. He gets jumped by another dark figure who seeks to kill him. He runs from the Phantasm (as it’s called) and failing to run it over, he crashes through the side of the parking lot building, slamming into the building across from it. And Batman just happens to be there, people assuming he did it. Batman gets a shard of glass with evidence on it and leaves the crime scene. Arthur Reeves, the councilman of Gotham, accuses Batman of being unstable and dangerous to the city in the aftermath of Chuckie Sol’s death. Meanwhile Bruce is investigating the substance on the glass, noting it is a complex chemical polymer (which is never elaborated on in more detail, sadly). Meanwhile, a woman riding a plane is speaking to Mr. Reeves about their upcoming date, indicating both in the conversation and her behavior that she previously dated Bruce Wayne. At a fancy party at Bruce’s mansion, he is conversing with many women and one expresses her fury at being scorned by him, splashing him with wine. Bruce then slips away from the party and mulls about the past while looking at a picture of his dead parents. The memory relates to Andrea Beaumont (the same woman from the plane), who we find meets up with Bruce as they both are at the graveyard speaking to dead relatives and they click instantly. Bruce tries his hand at crime fighting and manages to stop the criminals, almost getting squashed by a truck in the process. His ninja antics almost make you laugh out loud though, wearing a ski mask to boot. Andrea meets with Bruce the next day as he’s practicing jujutsu and their chemistry predictably ignites flames as they make out on the lawn, Alfred nearly dropping the lemonade he was bringing to them. We heard about Bruce’s desire to fight crime and truly strike fear in his enemies as well, indicating that this flashback is long before he was Batman. We return to the present and the scene shifts from Bruce’s party to Buzz Bronsky bringing flowers to Chuckie Sol’s grave and getting “whacked” by the Phantasm, who manages to dodge a shovel handle thrown at it through its smoke “powers” and crushes Buzz with a statue near an open grave. Buzz’s men see Batman afterwards, again reinforcing the confusion we get between Batman and the Phantasm. We see one Salvatore Valestra, an asthmatic or something, shocked to discover Buzz is dead. Arthur Reeves is shocked that Commissioner Gordon won’t believe that Batman killed Buzz Bronsky, suggesting to the others that they seek out Batman on their own. Meanwhile Batman stumbles on Andrea who suspects Batman might be Bruce. Batman spies on Arthur and Andrea’s date and then flashbacks to a date he had with Andrea at the Gotham World Fair, depicting a future with planes and other scientific advances (in a Jetsons sort of way). Afterwards, Bruce agrees to meet Andrea’s father, and unfortunately also meets the younger Salvatore Valestra, no doubt threatening Andrea’s father in some way. Bruce then tries to save a guy getting robbed, but eventually gets his butt kicked and the robbers escape. Afterwards that night, Bruce ignores Andrea’s phone call, no doubt concerned for him, because he’s still trying to make the choice between committing to Andrea and fighting crime as his yet undetermined alias. Bruce pleads to his parents that he wants to be happy even if he is unable to keep his promise to avenge their deaths. Andrea meets up with him and the two conclude that perhaps his parents sent her to make him happy. Back in the present, Salvatore Valestra brings Arthur Reeves into his car, convening on Batman’s potential threat to him, Arthur abruptly leaving. Batman begins to link Chuckie Sol and Buzz Bronsky’s deaths to their other partner, Valestra. Seeking out information on him, Bruce flashbacks to Andrea telling him she might be going to Europe, Bruce trying to convince her to stay by proposing to her. Bats fly out a hole below them as Bruce discovers the fear struck by bats, inspiring his identity no doubt. Andrea is brought home by Bruce and we shift to him exploring the cave. He is given a letter attached to his ring by Alfred from Andrea, who abruptly cuts off their engagement. Bruce is then further driven to take on his Batman identity in a scene where even Alfred is shocked by Bruce’s Batman costume at first. Back in the present (again), Bruce takes a picture for evidence and we shift to the ruins of the Gotham World Fair, where Valestra meets the Joker of all people, who decides through his own twisted logic to take out Batman to indirectly protect Valestra, though we get a hint that Joker kills Valestra so he doesn’t seem like he’s defending an old friend (or because he’s crazy, who knows?). Andrea is brought home from dinner by Reeves and then she meets Batman who tells her he thinks her father is involved with the other mobsters killed. Before leaving, he’s dealt a low blow by Andrea who suggests she isn’t ruled by her parents, indicating the scene at the graveyard before. Meanwhile, the Phantasm seeks out Valestra, discovering he is dead (by the Joker), and the Joker tries to kill the Phantasm with a bomb. Batman chases the Phantasm and after a fight, Batman is left to be pursued by the police. He manages to escape, getting injured in the chase and general chaos of police shooting where there are inflammable materials around, and is saved by Andrea, driving him away. She reveals that she had figured him out as Batman and then reveals that her dad was pressured by Valestra into giving him the money he owed him, forcing Andrea and her father to run through Europe to avoid them. She suggests that her father might be the man in the costume killing them. She says she’s ruined his life again, Bruce not agreeing as they make out again and make Alfred awkward yet again. The next morning, they discuss the future and Andrea leaves, promising to meet Bruce that night. Bruce mulls on whether he can be happy with Andrea as well as pursuing his Batman identity, suddenly having a hunch that reveals that one of Valestra’s other thugs was the Joker. Joker comes to Reeves’ office, revealing Arthur knew of Valestra and was friends with Joker previously. Arthur is then attacked by Joker, being driven insane by his drugging. Batman interrogates the raving Reeves, revealing that he helped Beaumont and was dependent on his money, selling Andrea’s father out to Valestra to get more funds for his election campaign. Batman seeks out Andrea, but is attacked by Joker sending a plane of the future with a bomb attached. We find out (through another flashback) that Andrea’s father was found and killed by the mob as she walks through the World Fair ruins. Joker converses with a robot “wife” in the World Fair exhibits and is attacked by the Phantasm, whom Joker deduces is Andrea Beaumont, which is revealed to be true. Joker fights her off and runs away, Andrea following and almost being chopped up by a giant fan, but for Batman saving her. Batman reveals he had been suspicious that she was the Phantasm, arguing that her quest is insane. But Andrea notes that Batman is also seeking vengeance, so he cannot say he is more just than her. She leaves him after they reach an impasse and Batman follows the Joker. After a fight in a miniature city which Batman manages to emerge victorious in over the planes of the future, Joker reveals he has wired the tunnels below the World Fair with explosives which are set to go off soon. Batman manages to stop Joker’s attempt to jetpack away. Joker is taken by Andrea to places unknown while Batman manages to escape the ruins as they explode all around him. Afterwards, Bruce reflects on how Andrea was down a dark path to revenge, Alfred suggesting that she was probably long gone before he realized it. Bruce finds the locket of Andrea’s, realizing she has finally left him for good. Elsewhere on a boat, Andrea is approached by a guy, who she blows off, finally consigned to her fate to be alone. Batman then is shown swinging into Gotham to begin his fight for crime anew.

Batman is presented well in conformity to comics, moreso the animated series, since this was a spinoff of that. Andrea Beaumont, as far as original characters go, is excellent, a romantic interest and a good foil for Bruce as well as an opponent as the film progresses. Arthur Reeves serves as part of the love triangle that exists between himself, Bruce and Andrea. His involvement with Andrea, Batman and the Valestra crime group all links together in creating conflicts and explaining loose ends that are left otherwise unanswered. The crime lords are minor characters, the true villain being the Joker, who is spot on as well, Mark Hamill’s voice truly defining the character as he becomes the real opponent. Alfred is minor, but does have the usual banter with Bruce on his many issues, romantic or otherwise, being his closest confidante.

The main theme of the entire film is the two types of tragedy bred between Andrea and Bruce. Bruce’s backstory is not explained to the viewer, but the connection is able to be drawn of Bruce’s loss of his parents, Andrea’s loss of her own father driving her into deeper darkness than he. One reflects that Bruce was orphaned much younger, so his thought was able to be mediated by Alfred’s influence, focusing on justice and not vengeance. Whereas Andrea, who was orphaned as young adult, was already so set in her ways that the idea of forgiveness or justice without revenge is meaningless to her. In this way, the theme of their romance is all the more tragic since they would’ve otherwise been happy together. But Bruce’s desire to keep his promise to his parents divides him against becoming committed to anyone too closely in a very giri/ninjou kind of way (giri and ninjou the Japanese expressions for duty and human feelings, a classic conflict in film). And Andrea, who was otherwise willing to go through with it, is then pushed into a situation where she is so desperate that her only conclusion is that since Valestra’s men ruined her chances for happiness with Bruce that they must die. The complacency and later cowardice of Andrea’s father could be said to be how he fell, though Reeves’ revelation that he ratted him out only makes us see the tragedy again with people you trusted betraying you for profit.

All in all, there is little I can object to in this film. It’s sufficiently basic for a kid to appreciate it, though gets into more adult themes and complexities of relationships so that an adult can also get something from it. The voice actors portray the characters’ range of emotions and once again, I have to emphasize Mark Hamill’s role as the Joker, which he will reprise in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker as well (look forward to that review). A definite 5 out of 5, with a 70-90% recommendation due to it being a bit darker than parents might be used to with Batman animated films, not to mention a bit of liberal usage of flashbacks. Until next time, Namaste and Aloha.