The Dark Knight Returns Review

While block-buster comic book films such as The Dark Knight Rises garnered critical acclaim last year, an adaptation one of the graphic novels that influenced the film is able to achieve similar reactions, despite being an animated film.

The Dark Knight Returns is almost a carbon copy of the Frank Miller’s comic series from 1986. The animated double feature deals with Bruce Wayne coming out of retirement to become Batman once again.

Bruce deals with the insurgence of the Mutant group, as well as the release of Harvey Dent, and subsequently The Joker. Once the White House gets a whiff that The Dark Knight has returned, the President enlists backup in the form of Superman, to get Batman to back down from fighting crime in Gotham yet again.

Being based off a story from the 1980s, the story can seem out-dated at times, with one of the key plots based around the Cold War, which engulfed the States at the time.

What sets this release apart from previous DC Originals releases, such as Batman: Year One, is how the original comic is treated like canon. The Dark Knight Returns flows quite well, despite the numerous plot points, which seems to be the reason why this was released in two parts, so that nothing important would be cut.

This tends to be the downfall of other adaptions. The Harry Potter series started quite well, due to the books being shorter early on, and most of the plot finding its way into the movie. However, towards the middle of the series, screen time was not extended in conjunction, and the movie felt rushed. The Dark Knight Returns however, contains all the important issues from the comic due to the dual release, much similar to the final Harry Potter films.

The film was quite enjoyable, with plenty of action throughout, and the plot twists will keep those who haven’t read the comic entertained. If you enjoyed the Dark Knight trilogy, and are able to appreciate animated films, The Dark Knight Returns is highly recommended.