Batman Joker's Return

In Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, the first feature-length film of the Batman Beyond series, the biggest enemy emerges from the past to pose a threat to Batman, Bruce Wayne, and the entire Gotham City. The Clown Prince of Crime, who now appears sleeker, deadlier, and seemingly immortal, brings his own unique type of chaos and destruction. While uncovering the Joker's secrets, the new Batman, Terry McGinnis, stumbles upon the greatest mystery in the life of the original Caped Crusader: what happened on the night of their last battle against the Joker. After Bruce Wayne nearly dies in one of the Joker's recent attacks, Batman swears to avenge his mentor and permanently put an end to the Joker. Prepare yourself for heart-pounding action, extraordinary adventures, and astonishing revelations in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.

Some devoted fans of Batman have been slow to embrace the animated series Batman Beyond, despite it being created by the same team behind the outstanding Batman cartoon from the early '90s. These purists argue that the Dark Knight should be a brooding avenger in a noir-nightmare Gotham City, not a cocky teenager living decades in the future armed with jet packs, invisibility shields, and other futuristic gadgets provided by an elderly Bruce Wayne. The elder Wayne, brilliantly voiced by Kevin Conroy, exudes a raspy hint of old age while confined to a cane and monitoring his protégé's activities from the Batcave. However, this feature-length movie, with its respectful reexamination of the "tortured hero" archetype and sleek, anime-inspired aesthetic, should go a long way in soothing their concerns. Moreover, the return of the iconic figure in the Rogues Gallery, portrayed flawlessly by Mark Hamill, further enhances the film. The explanation behind the Joker's eternal youth and malevolence is revealed in a logical, yet terrifying manner. In fact, the secret behind his appearance represents the saddest and darkest twist ever attempted in a supposed "kids' show," prompting parents to consider watching the film before showing it to young children. Once again, Warner Brothers' animated Batman surpasses all the live-action adaptations, skillfully balancing exhilarating action sequences and moments of subtle humor without overshadowing the human drama, or even tragedy, of the superheroes. -Bruce Reid

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