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Batman Beyond - Return of the Joker

Batman Beyond - Return of the Joker

List Price: $14.97
Your Price: $13.47
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Censored or not this is a grest film
Review: I would like to say that I join the very noisy majority that complains about the cuts made to the film, but I have to say that this is one of the best, more mature animated films I have seen in my life -some parts even match the level of action and/or depth that some of the best Japanese films have. The artists and director (in the commentary of the DVD) don't seem to have any regret about the cuts, so they must agree that the film was not that hurt with the changes. ANY film goes through the scissors before it is finally shown to the audiences -there must be hundreds of unused footage of the best films in history that had to lay on the cutting room floor. Come on, guys, appreciate the final work for what it is, and do not despise it for what it could have. This film is AWESOME.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Edited or Not, Here He Comes...
Review: Okay, let's clear the air first. Yes, I was disappointed to learn that KidsWB was editing "Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker." And yes, when I read the list of cut scenes from the net, I was looking forward to seeing them intact. However, and this is a big HOWEVER, the cuts actually did not take much of anything away from this wonderful piece of work. It's a shame that the purists are up in arms over this, and I can't say I blame them. But in the end, the only thing that matters is your own opinion. IMHO, Return of the Joker is excellent. Great performances all around, one of the best writing jobs ever in a Batman project, overall fabulous entertainment. The flashback scene alone is worth the whole DVD, but don't just flip to that or else you'll miss a whole hour's worth of great storytelling. The only complaint I would have about the DVD is in the commentary. Everything all four of the guys say is poignant and interesting, but the seating positions must have been all wrong. While one of them is too far away from the microphone, another is too close. So, you'll be messing with the volume controls a bit. But even that doesn't take away much from this fantastic adventure. In short, it rules. Schumacher wishes he could make a Batman film this good...

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Batman fans won't be disappointed....
Review: Although I could definately be counted among those long time Batman fans who didn't warm to the idea of a new Batman attempting to usurp the throne, this movie may have just changed my mind. After watching several episodes of Batman Beyond and not being impressed by the lighter, more kiddy nature inherent in this new teenage Bat character, I was more than ready to dismiss this movie without even so much as a glance. I read numerous reviews slamming this video for not living up to the more graphic and adult nature of the uncut version (downloadable through various internet sites, I've heard) and really wasn't in the mood to watch an hour long version of the television cartoon. Something inside me prompted me to watch this film however, if no other reason than it was a chance to see the Joker in action again and learn more about what happened to Bruce Wayne, Tim Drake and Barbara Gordon in this newer more bleak future world. Let's just say, I wasn't disappointed! The story starts out with a bang and gives the viewer little chance to catch his breath before several new characters are introduced punches are thrown and explosions create chaos and confusion. I immediately felt that lighter more kiddy nature of the Saturday morning cartoon episodes again and was ready to dismiss the whole thing at this point. I was left with the feeling this film would never raise above the level or depth of a a few fight scenes and unnecessary violence. I kept watching however, and soon my attitude began to change. The new and improved Joker is introduced and a slight chill crept up my spine as I anticipated the wrath he would unleash. The tone of the film gets a bit darker here and the viewer begins to sink into a mood of foreboding, like the calm before a storm. Characters from the original Batman cartoon series, now much older and grizzled, show looks of terror as they witness the return of a Joker they thought long dead. The Joker makes his grand entrance in a style only the Joker can and it's at this point in the film that things really start to get interesting! Watch out for the flashback sequence (animated much closer to the original cartoon than the newer, sleeker style of Batman Beyond) that has been much talked about. This sequence will definately leave an impression and for those that haven't seen this film, I won't spoil a thing! Character depth is explored on many levels for Bruce Wayne, the Joker and others, empathy develops for a tortured soul with a long kept secret and many points in this film will make fans both young and old remember all that was fun and endearing about this mythos in the first place. I caught myself smiling several times at points I won't spoil and totally enjoyed myself on all levels with this film and these characters! Go into the video with an open mind and a willingness to remember what it was like when you we're young (if you aren't already) and saw the Bat for the first time. The Bat we all know and love may be old and out of costume in this series but the essence and heart of what he stands for is definately felt and seen in the new Batman. A great film all around!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Edited Smetided
Review: All righty..just don't pass this review up cuz it's by a 12 year old... I'm making a good point here..and I hope you read it.

Warner Bros. delayed this cuz of violence..and I totally agree..I've read about the edits..and YES..they were neccesary. This movie is a great movie, and is ok for Kids 10+. It's still a bit violent..but it's Batman..he always is. So, Edited? Sure I'll buy it.. but I'd also like to have this version (Which I do). So, all of you out there....batman fans..non batman fans..buy this..cuz...it's a great movie..and if you wanna buy the un-edited too..that's cool..cuz I will.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of the best works of Batman fiction ever.
Review: Once again, they've done it. The animated Batman team has created an incredible story far beyond any of my expectations. This story combines the essence of heroes, villians, identity and destiny. Despite the WB mandated editing, this feature stands as a quality tribute to these classic icons. The creative team should be extremely proud.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Edited or not..it was still a great piece of work...
Review: Just bought the dvd version, and it is a visually stunning film. Despite what others may say about the editing, if you didn't know about it, you most likely won't have noticed. I knew about the editing done, but still approached the film as they presented it to me and enjoyed it. There's still a great deal of dramatic tension in the film especially when the character's reminisce about their past with the Joker. The action sequences are very good. Definitely upped a bit from the regular tv animation. The colors, especially on the dvd, are bright and clear. It really was a wonderful thing to view. Extras are above average. Would I recommend this film? Definitely yes. You won't miss what was edited out unless you spoiled it for yourself already or really nitpicky about having a very, very dark film. Will I buy the uncut version if it ever comes out? Also, a big yes. Until then though, I'm satisfied with the version out now and most people will be, too.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Great Batman Movie.
Review: Well, I should tell you that I do suggest buying this movie even though there is a signifigant amount of footage edited from the film (most of it very violent and full of death, blood, and certian usage of some words). I also suggest that you pay the extra money to get the DVD version of the film because the extra features are truely satifying. The director's full feature commentary is intertianing while at the same time full of cool information about the characters and situations of the film. All the other special features are neat also (note: you get nothing but the film when you buy the VHS version, no special features at all). I should also say that the missing violence does very little to make the story line any less enjoyable. I think the violence could have helped put a little tension in some of the scenes, but I can't see that it totally hurts the impact of certian plot twists. The movie is very intertianing and will delight any Batman Beyond or Batman: The Animated Series fan. Although I think that this is the worst Batman animated movie of the four (Mask of the Phantasm; Sub-Zero; The Batman-Superman Adventure: Return of the Joker), it is still very well writen and has great animation and voice acting. The plot is full of twists and turns that tie into the past and define the future of the new Batman. Well, that's about it. If you buy the DVD version, you will not be disapointed.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: This is Terrible
Review: To all those people who say that the quality of the movie did not suffer terribly because of the censorship and blatant lies by The WB, I present to you: The Return of the Joker. The entire premise of this film was knowing that violence solves nothing and if you go to far ytou will be haunted. This has been homogenized and spat out. The cuts also destroy most of the terror of the Joker. The resulting film isn't terrible, but it is disjointed, skippy, and almost bland. Don't give them the satifsfaction. Do not buy this film for yourself or your children.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: WB's self-censorship tears out the soul of this film
Review: Anyone who says the edits don't make *that* much of a difference simply hasn't seen the unedited version. The edits rob the characters of their primary motivations.

Yes, some of the things are horrifying. They're supposed to be. This is what eventually causes Wayne's Batman, Robin, and Batgirl to get out of the crimefighting business. Their final battle with the Joker haunts them for the rest of their lives, particularly Robin/Tim Drake, who had a key role in the business. And as a result, the Joker gets the last laugh because he *did* turn Robin into him.

But because of the edits, all the power is gone. We don't see what the Joker did to Robin. We don't see how Bruce Wayne got his limp. And we don't know why Robin feels responsible for what happened to the Joker. Because in the edited version, he's been absolved of all responsibility.

If WB had released both the unedited and edited versions, I wouldn't complain. People who like their movies dumbed down could go get it and the rest of the us could enjoy the real movie. As it stands, we're all forced to watch the WB insult our intelligence.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: 4.5 stars
Review: I loved watching this movie. It is the best looking Batman-related thing around, and it is truly creepy. The highest compliment I can pay it is that I didn't know what was going to happen until it happened. That's a rare greatness that is not often achieved in movies. The feeling of the movie has a great sense of finality to it that is very exciting. My only problems with the movie are A) I will always like Bruce Wayne better than Terry. I'm probably just set in my ways, but he's my Batman, and I wish there would have been more Bruce-vs-Joker stuff in this movie (not that there weren't any already, but still...); and B) the reason of how the Joker has come back feels a little off for me. First off, it's been done on the show, and second it's just too out there. But that's just me. The sum of the parts more than make up for these little nit-picky things. PS--I still like "World's Finest: The Batman/Superman Movie" better.


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