Neseman aside, the iFanboy Animated Brain Trust adored the first half of Warner Bros’ adaptation of The Dark Knight Returns. It’s an audacious task translating Frank Miller’s landmark story to another medium, but Bruce Timm and company did a remarkable job of it. One of the contributing factors in the project’s success was the decision to split the story in two, allowing for a bit more nuance than the usual direct to video features. The second half arrives on home video in early 2013 and if the tantalizing sneak peek included with Part 1 wasn’t enough, we’ve got ourselves an official trailer.
My favorite moments from Part 1 involved the slow burn reawakening of The Joker and that brief vocal performance from Michael Emerson. His take on the character is so deliciously sinister and perverse, and it’s thrilling to see more of that here. This is also a nice showcase for Mark Valley in his role as government stooge Superman. While the action sequences highlighted in the trailer don’t register nearly so polished and atmospheric as those in the first half, perhaps that’s a problem to be addressed in the final cut. All in all, an auspicious tease to the next course in this feast.
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IT WAS FINE!
🙂
But seriously, go back and read the scene where Batman screams “THESE MEN ARE MINE!” and then watch the same scene in the movie.
Not Good.
That and the “I believe you” line was so off the mark as to be painful.
Also – the “slow burn” Joker re-awakening completely butchered Two Face’s character. Remember that it was the Joker who set the bombs to go off early – not Two Face.
Other than a few other wooden voice performances, it was OK. Looking forward to part 2.
It’s important to remember that DKR isn’t one of the best Batman comics to begin with. They worked with what they had.
Oh, no he didn’t!
The bounty hunters have been contacted, Montgomery….I’d watch my back if I were you. 😉
Paul’s recent interview with Scott Snyder:
Scott: Dark Knight Returns is my favorite comic of all time, even more than Year One.
Paul: Yeah.
Wish Paul had replied with “DKR isn’t one of the best Batman comics” instead. The interview might have been more interesting! (it was a good interview, but just saying would like to hear Scott and Paul duke it out over the merits of DKR).
@Destructo – lol – I heard that in the interview too. Funny.
Haha, wasn’t the time or place.
My only real complaint about part 1 was Weller’s voice acting. I thought it was very wooden at times and lacking the intensity it should have had. I’ve never thought he was a particularly great actor, honestly. But the awesomeness of everything else made up for it!
Can’t wait to hear Chris Neseman’s take on the voice acting in this one. :p
Part 1 was surprisingly mediocre until the final 20 minutes. The dated script didn’t help (the Mutants’ dialogue alone was cringe-worthy) and Peter Weller proved to be a miscast, his voice is just too high and emo. Part 2 looks much better story-wise – though I agree with the above poster, when Batman yells “these men are mine!” it still sounds silly. I can’t believe the talented Andrea Romano was the vocal consultant here. They needed a Michael Ironside / Clint Eastwood tone out of Batman for this story, and instead they got a tough-sounding Bobby Brady.
Peter Weller’s voice is…. high? Really? It sounds like broken gravel. I think his deep and low tone is perfect for this role.
Michael Ironside would have been perfect!
Looks good. I’m excited.
I agree that Weller’s vocal work lacks a certain weight when it’s time for the big speeches, but it’s serviceable during the one-on-one dialog. When he was announced, I thought he’d be a great fit. But I admit his voice has an almost robotic (winces) quality to it that doesn’t jive with DKR Bruce. Just because he’s old, doesn’t mean he has to sound tired and bored all the time, especially after he gets back in the game. (“The rain on my chest is a baptism. I’m a man of thirty — no, twenty — again.”) I’m not one of those batboys who wants Kevin Conroy for every single animated Batman project, but it would’ve been nice to have him on my favorite story, especially now that he’s older. Oh well, what’re ya gonna do?
The Superman fight is something they have to get right. Judging from the bits in the trailer, it looks a lot like the awesome, larger than life choreography we’re used to from the recent Timmverse releases, and I’m not sure that’s the right way to go. This fight should be as believable as possible. More small scale, less bombastic. Each hit should feel like it’s breaking bone and spirit, but not sending Bruce through a wall.
Still, the trailer looks awesome, and I’m really looking forward to it. The second half of the book is where it counts.
I wonder if the president will ride a Segue.