The Dark Knight Returns: An Epic Fan Film

Rating this as a fan film rather than mainstream. As such it's pretty decent; we've all seen a lot worse. Good sets (especially the Batcave) and acceptable acting. Ava Osthus as Carrie (future Robin) has the looks, but doesn't carry herself as a gymnast would. Directing issue or needs further coaching? Hard to tell.

Wyatt Reed plays a respectable and believable middle-aged Batman. But serving as director as well has often been a flaw in fan films and this is no exception. The scenes with Batman are slow, more clownish than frightening, and don't carry the foreboding nature of the graphic novel. If anything it makes the viewer realize how unlikely the Batman character would be in real life. Having no actual super powers-- trying to take on a gang in an open indoor mall would be the worst possible setting for his guerrilla tactics. As such, most scenes with the Batman come across as superficial. In this episode Bats just wasn't sinister enough. Need to remember he put FEAR into criminals, not make them laugh at his costume.

Commissioner Gordon is played cliché but very comic book, which is fine. The actor fits the part well.

A major downside is the Batman costume. This is a throwback to the 60's satirical "Adam West" model ("target" insignia and bright yellow utility belt) rather than the expected darker and more sinister looking black-on-gray. That throws a monkey wrench into the concept. A few suggestions for future episodes: remember this is the DARK Knight and get rid of the yellow highlights, lengthen those ears a bit, exchange that navy blue Adam West cape and cowl for black, change those comic-book white eyes to dark-- and film the fight scenes faster and more intimidating.

In the same manner, get away from the Caesar Romero Joker. Seems like someone has got the 60's TV series and The Dark Knight graphic novel a bit confused. The Joker's makeup needs to be grittier and that smile a little wider (did someone not know how to do scar makeup?).

This is taking its story from the graphic novel but its costuming from the Adam West series-- likely a poor combination. It was Miller's return to noir that helped make the novel popular.This is a decent start and even an admirable attempt for a fan film, but it could use a bit more Dark in the Dark Knight.