Featured Audience Ratings

• Anthony L

  
  One of the most faithful adaptations made for a long time. It really did bring the classic comic to life (again, always read the book first Kids). The brutality of the comic is there as is that 80's comic style, that mini-revolution that was going on. I did wonder if they were… More
  One of the most faithful adaptations made for a long time. It really did bring the classic comic to life (again, always read the book first Kids). The brutality of the comic is there as is that 80's comic style, that mini-revolution that was going on. I did wonder if they were going to get the News bulletin parts right and thankfully they did. The Joker is coming, can't wait for part 2!!

• Josh L

  
  Not as good as Under the Red Hood for my money, but a step up from Year One. The plot takes awhile to get going and the lack of a proper back story robs it of some much needed motivation towards the beginning because how things got to this point would be interesting to know without… More
  Not as good as Under the Red Hood for my money, but a step up from Year One. The plot takes awhile to get going and the lack of a proper back story robs it of some much needed motivation towards the beginning because how things got to this point would be interesting to know without having to re-read the whole Batman mythology. It's not like we need a huge background check, just a little reminder like they did in Under the Red Hood. The plot is not one of the strong points, especially since this ends on a cliffhanger and has that incomplete feeling Part 1's tend to have. The mutants are not particularly the best of villains for Batman even though their leader is certainly his equal in terms of muscle power. It does have some decent animation and brutal action sequences that are bloody and intense. Not for little kids in other words. The news segments carried over from the graphic novel simply do not work and feel tacked on. The vocal performances are alright, but not as good as past entries. There's potential here for an even better Part 2 and I certainly hope that is the case. Part 1 is watchable and with a promise of bigger things to come, I am certainly looking forward to Part 2.

• Drake T

  
  Unlike "Under the Red Hood" (which was a huge disappointment) TDKR lives up to it's legendary comic-book source. The atmosphere of Miller's work is really emphasized here in the stylization and music. Weller's also a welcome voice actor to the Batman name!… More
  Unlike "Under the Red Hood" (which was a huge disappointment) TDKR lives up to it's legendary comic-book source. The atmosphere of Miller's work is really emphasized here in the stylization and music. Weller's also a welcome voice actor to the Batman name! Again no Conroy but there's a distinctness to his voice that Greenwood didn't have that I really enjoyed. I think he makes a phenomenal Bruce but there's a "gentlemen" like quality to his voice that he doesn't really bother compensating for when he dons the hood. I wish he'd lower his tone and growl more at times, I mean, he's an angry old man! The animation is top notch, I mean, not Japanese good but at least the stylization was nice and dark with a use of bold blacks again reminiscent of Bruce Timm's Batman: TAS. The dialogue and script is perfect, but that's credible to Miller not so much the studio behind the movie; then again I'm glad to see them not fuck up the pacing. :] A great watch, can't wait for part 2!

• Aaron N

  
  Ask any assortment of fans of the Batman comic books and they will name Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns as one of if not THE best Batman story ever told. I am of the mind that it just might be the best (though different era's of the bat make it difficult to really… More
  Ask any assortment of fans of the Batman comic books and they will name Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns as one of if not THE best Batman story ever told. I am of the mind that it just might be the best (though different era's of the bat make it difficult to really space out honestly), so it of course becomes a challenge of whether or not I can accept an animated version of this story. Thankfully, this falls into the category of DC Universe Animated Original Movies that do not just feel like a motion comic with nothing else to add to the medium it is based upon. While Year One was a nice thing to see in motion, not a lot was added to really necessitate its existence. The Dark Knight Returns is a nice supplement to the book, making various changes to the story, while providing an entertaining experience overall that plays nicely as a tribute to the book it is based upon. Dividing it into two films was also a nice touch, as it allows things to breathe and lets the story escalate, as Part 2 is going to go places that are much wilder than what is presented in Part 1. The animation is solid here, maybe not my favorite look of The Bat, but fitting with the style originally depicted by Miller and inker Klaus Janson. The voice work is strong too, with Weller making for a solid older Wayne/Batman. And of course, getting to see lots of signature moments from the comic and hear various bit dialogue come to life provides plenty of geeky joy. As a Batman and comic fan, I really enjoyed it. For everyone else - those who enjoy DC Animated Comic movies should check this one out. read the whole review at thecodeiszeek.com

• Manu G

  
  Old heroes never die. They just get darker. Great! Keep em coming Batman! Animation was excellent, the Tone was perfect and when watching this Animated Movie, I felt completely drawn in to the world that Frank Miller had created back in 1986. The movie was amazing and I cannot wait… More
  Old heroes never die. They just get darker. Great! Keep em coming Batman! Animation was excellent, the Tone was perfect and when watching this Animated Movie, I felt completely drawn in to the world that Frank Miller had created back in 1986. The movie was amazing and I cannot wait until Part two comes out. The second half of part 1 really set the tone for part two and it really leaves the viewer in anticipation - with a big smile... Batman has not been seen for ten years. A new breed of criminal ravages Gotham City, forcing 55-year-old Bruce Wayne back into the cape and cowl. But, does he still have what it takes to fight crime in a new era?

• Luke B

  
  The Dark Knight Returns, is for me, the best Batman film of the year. The animation is superb, especially when the action kicks off. It sees Bruce Wayne return to crime fighting after a 10 year absence. Unlike his Nolan counterpart however, he was Batman for a damn sight longer than… More
  The Dark Knight Returns, is for me, the best Batman film of the year. The animation is superb, especially when the action kicks off. It sees Bruce Wayne return to crime fighting after a 10 year absence. Unlike his Nolan counterpart however, he was Batman for a damn sight longer than just a year. His return is depicted as an obsession that finally grabs control and pulls him in. He barely even notices it when he shaves off his mustache as it just becomes a natural part of the process. A new threat, called The Mutants, rises in Gotham, and Batman has to sort them out. His age becomes his weakness as he must go up against the leader of The Mutants. he film is littered with cuts to TV shows and newscasts discussing whether or not Batman is a help or a hindrance. Peter Weller does a great job as the voice of Batman, and it's nice to see a Batman with a dark and dangerous sense of humour. As an adaptation it remains fairly close to the source material, but manages to capture the ferocity of the violence without being too graphic. Gotham looked and felt exactly how I remember it when I was growing up. This is great stuff, and is a huge tease for Part 2, where we will see The Joker once again.

• Greg A

  
  The best animated Batman movie there is.

• Marcus W

  
  Achingly good adaptation of the classic graphic-novel. Can't wait for part 2!

• Marion R

  
  Lots of fun. I was grinning ear to ear just watching it. It's a great adaptation that stays close to the source material. It is up there as one of my favorite batman films.

• Jim W

  
  A dark and gritty Batman animated film with an older Bruce Wayne as Batman. But he takes less crap than usual and more like Batman if Dirty Harry wore the costume.This is superb, so check it out.

Read all 10 featured audience ratings