I've always rated "Batman Beyond" the cartoon series a few notches below "Batman: The Animated Series", even though I grew up watching the former and was introduced to the latter when it released on DVD.
In my opinion, the conscientious choice in "Beyond" to sacrifice character development for action when introducing a new (and if I may add, interesting) rogues gallery has ensured that "Beyond" would never reach the classic status of it's predecessor. Even though I loved how well future Gotham was portrayed and was pleasantly surprised how well Japanimation complemented the look and feel of the series, the best Batman stories have always been the ones which probed the psychological conflict between Batman and his adversaries. This is where adventures of Terry McGinnis fall short (in the cartoon series).
I was therefore completely unprepared this movie, though in retrospect the fact that Paul Dini wrote it should have allayed my doubts. Dini understands Batman and most of his stories find the right tone between the bleak nature of the Dark Knight's war on crime and the humor which ices the cake of a cartoon series if properly done. Dini's greatest stories however, seem to be the ones that chronicle the psychological cat and mouse games played out by Batman and the villains who plague Gotham. This film if I may venture, is far darker than anything out of the animated Batworld and in one scene in particular borders on the absolutely disturbing.
However, a quick recap. It is approximately 50 years into the future and Bruce Wayne has retired from active crime-fighting preferring instead to monitor his protégé: Terry McGinnis. McGinnis who lost his own father under tragic circumstances is the Tomorrow Knight and patrols the streets of Gotham in a souped up Batsuit. He comes across a street gang called the Jokerz who are involved in a high tech robbery from WayneCorp which puzzles him as it doesn't fit the typical street gang M.O. His investigation leads to cover ups and secrets and things only becoming more confusing with the reappearance in Gotham of Batman's greatest nemesis - The Joker, thought dead for many years. But is he who he really claims to be? Bruce fires Terry's from the job without any explanation. Terry who is utterly confused turns to Barbara Gordon, the once Batgirl, who is now the commissioner of police to learn about what happened the night Batman had his final confrontation with the Joker many years ago.
The flashback that follows is unnerving partly because the events unfold in a cartoon and because of what the film doesn't show us. Just as with Jaws, Dini holds his cards very close to his chest making the revelation all the more disturbing. Also, for those who thought the animated joker straddled the line between funny and cruel, prepared to be blown away by how sadistic he really is.
All this leads up to a satisfying conclusion in a film that tries not to use tired clichés to reveal the mystery of the Joker. No, it's not a Joker-clone or a long lost son! The stakes are high in the final confrontation between the Joker and the new Batman, when Bruce is almost killed and Gotham faces devastation at the whim of a madman. Dini is a master storyteller and he knows these characters inside out. He weaves a brilliant final act that not only convincingly ties all the loose ends, but ends up giving you (or at least me) new respect for McGinnis' Batman. His take down of the Joker is memorable not for it's action, but because of the psychological leverage Terry tries to use. The last 2 thirds of the movie alone make it a must watch for Batfans and thriller fans alike.
Finally, voice acting is credible. Kevin Conroy is Batman. He's been doing it since 1992 and he's timbre is the perfect pitch (pardon the pun) for the Dark Knight. Mark Hammill reprises Joker from the animated series, and puts up a valid case for dubbing all past and future Joker portrayals. Hammill has bounds of energy and fun with this character and you can hear it on screen. Will Friedle is convincing as McGinnis - he doesn't play Terry as a moper or a whino. My only gripe is that they didn't use Stockard Channing for Barbara Gordon. I love her rendition of the character, although Angie Harmon is okay.
I can't recommend this movie enough, though if you rent/buy it please make sure you have the uncut version PG-13. The edited version is too diluted and the movie experience diminishes with it.
In my opinion, the conscientious choice in "Beyond" to sacrifice character development for action when introducing a new (and if I may add, interesting) rogues gallery has ensured that "Beyond" would never reach the classic status of it's predecessor. Even though I loved how well future Gotham was portrayed and was pleasantly surprised how well Japanimation complemented the look and feel of the series, the best Batman stories have always been the ones which probed the psychological conflict between Batman and his adversaries. This is where adventures of Terry McGinnis fall short (in the cartoon series).
I was therefore completely unprepared this movie, though in retrospect the fact that Paul Dini wrote it should have allayed my doubts. Dini understands Batman and most of his stories find the right tone between the bleak nature of the Dark Knight's war on crime and the humor which ices the cake of a cartoon series if properly done. Dini's greatest stories however, seem to be the ones that chronicle the psychological cat and mouse games played out by Batman and the villains who plague Gotham. This film if I may venture, is far darker than anything out of the animated Batworld and in one scene in particular borders on the absolutely disturbing.
However, a quick recap. It is approximately 50 years into the future and Bruce Wayne has retired from active crime-fighting preferring instead to monitor his protégé: Terry McGinnis. McGinnis who lost his own father under tragic circumstances is the Tomorrow Knight and patrols the streets of Gotham in a souped up Batsuit. He comes across a street gang called the Jokerz who are involved in a high tech robbery from WayneCorp which puzzles him as it doesn't fit the typical street gang M.O. His investigation leads to cover ups and secrets and things only becoming more confusing with the reappearance in Gotham of Batman's greatest nemesis - The Joker, thought dead for many years. But is he who he really claims to be? Bruce fires Terry's from the job without any explanation. Terry who is utterly confused turns to Barbara Gordon, the once Batgirl, who is now the commissioner of police to learn about what happened the night Batman had his final confrontation with the Joker many years ago.
The flashback that follows is unnerving partly because the events unfold in a cartoon and because of what the film doesn't show us. Just as with Jaws, Dini holds his cards very close to his chest making the revelation all the more disturbing. Also, for those who thought the animated joker straddled the line between funny and cruel, prepared to be blown away by how sadistic he really is.
All this leads up to a satisfying conclusion in a film that tries not to use tired clichés to reveal the mystery of the Joker. No, it's not a Joker-clone or a long lost son! The stakes are high in the final confrontation between the Joker and the new Batman, when Bruce is almost killed and Gotham faces devastation at the whim of a madman. Dini is a master storyteller and he knows these characters inside out. He weaves a brilliant final act that not only convincingly ties all the loose ends, but ends up giving you (or at least me) new respect for McGinnis' Batman. His take down of the Joker is memorable not for it's action, but because of the psychological leverage Terry tries to use. The last 2 thirds of the movie alone make it a must watch for Batfans and thriller fans alike.
Finally, voice acting is credible. Kevin Conroy is Batman. He's been doing it since 1992 and he's timbre is the perfect pitch (pardon the pun) for the Dark Knight. Mark Hammill reprises Joker from the animated series, and puts up a valid case for dubbing all past and future Joker portrayals. Hammill has bounds of energy and fun with this character and you can hear it on screen. Will Friedle is convincing as McGinnis - he doesn't play Terry as a moper or a whino. My only gripe is that they didn't use Stockard Channing for Barbara Gordon. I love her rendition of the character, although Angie Harmon is okay.
I can't recommend this movie enough, though if you rent/buy it please make sure you have the uncut version PG-13. The edited version is too diluted and the movie experience diminishes with it.