Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (2012)

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?

Director:

Jay Oliva

Writers:

Bob Kane (character created by: Batman), Frank Miller (comic book)

Stars:

Peter Weller, Ariel Winter, David Selby

5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Weller	...	Batman / Bruce Wayne (voice)
Ariel Winter	...	Robin / Carrie Kelley (voice)
David Selby	...	Commissioner Gordon (voice)
Wade Williams	...	Harvey Dent (voice)
Carlos Alazraqui	...	Hernando (voice)
Dee Bradley Baker	...	Don (voice)
Paget Brewster	...	Lana Lang (voice)
Maria Canals-Barrera	...	Ellen Yindel (voice) (as Maria Canals)
Cathy Cavadini	...	Joanie (voice) (as Catherine Cavadini)
Townsend Coleman	...	Morrie (voice)
Grey Griffin	...	Anchor Carla (voice) (as Grey DeLisle)
Richard Doyle	...	The Mayor (voice)
Greg Eagles	...	Mackie (voice)
Michael Emerson	...	Joker (voice)
Michael Jackson	...	Alfred Pennyworth (voice)

Storyline

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?

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Plot Keywords:

batman character | gotham city | dc comics | based on comic book | superhero | 

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Taglines:

The last fight begins.

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Genres:

Animation | Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some intense sequences of violence and action

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Batman is shot while pursuing Two Face, he is hit in the chest. In the book this reveals a section of armor beneath the bat symbol and, speaking to himself, he says this is why he has a bright yellow target on his chest - to give snipers something to aim at instead of more vulnerable places.

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Quotes

Mutant Leader: [picks up Batman out of mud] You finished, old man.
Batman: [headbutts Mutant Leader in broken nose] You don't get it, son. This isn't a mud hole. It's an operating table. And I'm the surgeon.

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Alternate Versions

A version was released on October 8, 2013 entitled 'Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Deluxe Edition'. This version combines both parts into a single 148 minute movie. however it cuts out the newscast part from the opening scene of Part 2.

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Connections

Version of Lego Batman: Riddler Returns (2010)

User Reviews

Excellent Adaptation That Falls Just Short of Epic

An impressively loyal adaptation of one of comics' most important stories, complete with social commentary, nods at dark chapters of the character's history and a glut of wanton brutality. Despite being ripped violently into two pieces, the story still functions very well and reaches a natural climax in time for the credits to roll after a drawn-out 75 minutes. I fear the end result may be a less-dense arching plot line, especially as most of the political commentary was removed from this chapter (presumably as it won't be relevant until the second) but there's still more than enough pulp to go around. While the storyline is doggedly faithful (indeed, most of the dialog is copied verbatim from the source), the artwork is both influenced by and notably distanced from Frank Miller and Lynn Varley's amazing work on the printed page. And, while that does rob the story of some of its character, the result is suitable enough; fresh but also familiar. Peter Weller turns in some decent work as the voice of Bruce Wayne, but I couldn't help but daydream about how Kevin Conroy would have approached the material. Very good, if not perfect.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 September 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1

Box Office

Budget:

$3,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

76 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1