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

Absolutely brilliant

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

People might not think much of DVD movies, but this is one you won't want to miss! It makes me sad that 2D animated superhero movies won't be popular in theaters. I'm glad we at least have some medium to witness how good they are. I admit that I'm not that familiar with the Frank Miller comic. Well, a ton of Frank Miller stuff has been reviewed by Linkara, who doesn't have a high opinion of him. Anyway, this is based on a Frank Miller comic that features Batman retiring and deciding to come back after ten years. Yeah, I admit that the plot isn't that great. It's a little too simple, but this is still a great movie.The best part is probably how you're blown away by how good the animation is. Animated shows are still 2D and it's gorgeous artwork like this that make you appreciate the technique. As far as I know, this isn't a direct sequel to any other animated DC movie so it's easy enough for me to understand. The best parts are probably the fights with the Mutant leader. They're realistic and they're extremely intense for an animated film. It was weird and cool to watch a PG-13 cartoon movie. It lives up to its rating. It seems like they could have just made it into one fairly long movie. It's great to have things build up so well. ***1/2

The Dark Knight Returns Part One is a satisfying animated feature that faithfully adapts its source material respectfully. This film was more deserving of a theatrical release than the recent Batman and Superman movie: Dawn of Justice (this review was done in 2016), because this film tells a more faithful Bat-tale than Zack Snyder's recent theatrical outing that left the world disappointed. Thankfully The Dark Knight Returns is a solid story that's been tested time and time again and even influenced Tim Burton's Batman from 1989.The story centers on an aging Bruce Wayne who's retired his crime-fighting alter-ego Batman. Bruce is now living in a much harsher world than the one he knew back in his early thirties; now he's a man approaching sixty and Gotham City desperately needs its hero to return from the shadows and fight against the crime plaguing Gotham once again.The first part of DC's only animated two-parter-to-date is a good start that leads to the meaty conclusion of the story in Part Two, which in turn has influenced media outside The Dark Knight Returns comic, like The Dark Knight Rises and *ahem* Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. A very solid story delivered by capable animation director, and Batman veteran, Jay Oliva.The first part is just one piece of a two-and-a-half-hour film that's been waiting to be seen on screen for generations. If you haven't watched this film yet, well do yourself a favor and watch Parts One and Two of The Dark Knight Returns right away.

The movie feels slightly like an animated "Batman Begins": the batmobile is a tank, the batwing is a helicopter and no silly James-Bond-kind gadgets. Bruce Wayne is a tormented retired Batman who just can't stop being the caped crusader.The story is well structured and rises thanks to the new villains: the Mutants and its ferocious leader. The dark and realistic tone of the film makes it for an attractive ride in the Batman universe. I applaud entirely to the score, a powerful and epic melody that manages to exalt the enduring legacy of one of the best superheroes ever.One of the movie's main idea is resoundingly reflexive: Batman makes his own enemies. Do superheroes create their own foes? This reminds me a lot of Vision's equation in "Civil War" (2016). Since each hero started to become public, the amount of crime increased. A powerful reflection of the constant battle between good and evil (Batman and Two-Face's confrontation).I loved Peter Weller as Bruce Wayne/Batman, his deep, commanding and elderly voice make a perfect portrayal of the 55-year-old hero. As well as the Mutant Leader, Two-Face, and Carrie Kelly, which stand out well. I also loved the similarities with "The Dark Knight Rises" (2012) (which shows the big legacy of the TDKR graphic novel). In the Nolan movie is 8 years, in which also Bruce Wayne is broken by the death of a close person. Batman's first appearance is almost identical in both movies. A young and old cop in a car chase, when Batman appears, it's "Showtime". And a lot more that I won't spoil. FINAL CONSENSUS: Unique in style and visuals, voice performance, story and characters, this dark, violent, thought-provoking and faithful adaptation of Batman is one of the best in the whole franchise. (Alongside with Part 2)

1. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Hollywood picked this story for a major live action release. Message received.2. Lots of talk about the best Batman voice. Weller nailed it. Oscar worthy and yes Virginia they do give Oscars for voice actors.3. Omigawd. Whatta script. Seen this 2-parter three times, each time I find new social commentary in the dialog. After the Joker segment you think to yourself, this can't get any better. And then you get the "schoolboy" segment. And it does.4. I am running out of adjectives. If you have not seen it already, see it now.5. Finally a note for the IMDb archive. Hollywood loves to do films about getting old. Hundreds at least. Comedies, dramas, everything in-between. I believe that over the years to come, this gem will be recognized as the greatest film about getting old ever done. They took the iconic characters that an entire generation grew up with and then imagined what things would be like at the end of life's run. Watch it with that in mind and you will see things you did not see first time around.