Second animated Batman film is very emotional.
357332
The second animated Batman film in the DCAU line was a classic when it came out, with emotional themes that were very rare in kid cartoons. A villain that isn't truly evil, only doing what he does for a tragic reason, it isn't the kind of stuff that happens much in kids cartoons.

I enjoyed the film. It had a cool art direction, I like Mr. Freeze as a villain, his use of polar bears as minions was very smart, and the ending is very tense, a true nailbiter. It just felt like a professional Batman film. Still, I think I would have liked it more if Robin hadn't been almost completely useless in this film, and Mr. Freeze wasn't as threatning as he could have been. Still, this film is definately not bad, or even sub-par.
2411931
I am not a fan of the Batman animated movies that pretend the comic books don't exist so I really loved this one.  It started off with a variation of what any comic book fan would recognize as the end of "A Death in the Family" and then gets into the Joker's origin as the Red Hood.  It feels exactly like the comic did and was my favorite Batman animated adventure since "Return of the Joker" or "Mask of the Phantasm."  Unfortunately, it loses a star because the voices in previous movies, the animated series and especially the "Arkham Asylum" video game were so much better than they were here.  If Mark Hamill had been the Joker and Kevin Conroy Batman, I would have given this five stars instead of four.
2214273
Good voice acting all around, even though it isn't Kevin Conroy doing Batman.

Humor comes in the form of Alfred/Damian/Nightwing.  Still waiting on an animated movie that really lets Nightwing show off his skills.

There is a surprising amount of blood in this movie, lots of ninjas an swords.  I didn't really think it added anything to the plot.

Overall another solid Batman animated movie from DC.
1541392
Very entertaining movie!  Surprising difficult to watch at times because of the subject, as it was emotional for a Animated film.
133431
There aren't many sequels out there that can surpass their predecessors, some are repetitive, even unnecessary but thankfully The Dark Knight is neither. Christopher Nolan once again brings us superb writing with breathtaking cinematography and special effects, everything you want but rarely get in a superhero movie. The story is a continuation of Batman Begins, with Bruce Wayne still fighting crime in everyday Gotham city with regulars like Jonathan Crane and irregulars like the Joker. While dealing with all of this, he's also balancing a double life at Wayne Enterprise, protecting Harvey Dent while simultaneously pledging his love for Rachel Dawes. This seems like a lot to cover during a movie, and it is with nearly a three hour running time, however Nolan paces the movie so well, the plot seems to slip by in an instant. Props have to go to the cast for their acting and dedication, Bale and Ledger obviously bring the heat and play off each other well, likewise Gyllenhaal brings her own spin to Rachel, playing an older, wiser version of the character. Special effects are also phenomenal, another reason beyond the many to buy blu-ray. These effects deserve to be seen in high definition, not only because of their clarity but because of their impact. Nolan's Batman series is filmed with grounded morals and dilemmas, character flaws and imperfections. He gives Gotham the gritty tone it deserves, and what many fans have been waiting for since Batman Forever.
2749821
This is one of my favorite batman stories of all time! Bruce Greenwood, Jesen Ackles, and Neil Patrick Harris all do a fantastic job voice acting. The story is engaging, and the animation is high quality as well. Definitely check this one out if you are a fan of Batman.
454397
I loved both previous installments of the Nolan Batman universe.  I think the third and final film in this arch takes the best portions of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight and blends them very well into a movie that focuses in on Bruce Wayne and his true purpose and legacy for Gotham and also provides the villain and threat levels we sense with Heath Ledger's Joker.  The cinematography is great.  The acting is top-nothc.  Effects looks good.  The Indian prison set is quite memorable.  I think this film basically makes this trilogy perfect and worth seeing from start to finish.
1033141
To be honest, there were moments in this movie that I was rolling my eyes. I was not completely wowed by the way Catwoman was put into the story. Interesting? Yes. But something about he relationship Bruce made her seem more like she could have fulfilled the role of Bat-Girl as well.

All that aside, Bane is an impressive villian, not just for size and appearance, but his creepy voice and his smart tactics. He is someone you can come to appreciate and understand for a villian, even if you're still rooting for Batman the whole time.

The movie tied back into the 1st one more than anything, as if the 2nd movie had been skipped...but that is what helped it close out the series well. Batman finding himself back in another pit that he has to get out of - a somewhat "duh" idea but it worked well, artistically.

The scenery and mood for this movie are probably the most impressive and touching of all the movies - and Batman certainly is presented with a number of tough situations just in trying to get to Bane. And - hint - Batman still makes some mistakes that make the ending a bit of a shocker.

Weeks later I still want to watch this again, and again...sometimes just for the scenes with Bane!
3203402
This is a good adaptation as stated above. Took a while to get into the voice acting not because I dislike Peter Weller's acting, but because I'm such a fan of the work done previously by Kevin Conroy multiple times in this animated role. It started out a bit slow, but eventually it picked up speed. I found this first part to have a decent balance of "talking" scenes as well as action scenes that were in the story to serve a purpose. Some previous DTV DC animated movies are all action and become redundant and almost senseless in spots, but here the action and fight scenes have more weight to them and the storytelling of  the framed moving art is beautiful to watch  never confusing. I can't want to view the second part soon!
2377926
This is definitely one of the better Batman movies out there, not only is the story amazing but so is the animation, so if you're looking for a good batman movie I highly recommend this one.
863821
Overall this was a pretty good movie with an action packed plot. I haven't read the comics so I don't know how it compares but I thought it was well made and easy enough to follow what was happening. I also liked getting to learn more about Batman's history and seeing him as a child through the occasional flashbacks in the movie. Seeing the relationship between Damian and his father change and develop during the movie is also fun to watch.
4797402
I find this to be a well rounded movie.  The complexity of the mother/daughter relationship is difficult without taking away from the lightheartedness one wants from an animation.  AND, there's really no villain.  The heroes are their own villains.  AND I tear up every time but I'm a bit of a sap.
1602363
Indeed , this second installement of Nolan's Batman movies has a soundtrack much stronger and intenser then Batman Begins from a few years ago . I listened to the track samples on the official site , those are way too short to get an idea of how good Zimmer and Newton composed this fine piece of music . This is not background music while you're eating dinner , this is a cd filled with emotions and I even use some tracks like "I thought my jokes were bad"  while I'm running to keep me going , otherwise in the car when I turn up the volume I relive some of the scenes of the movie again . But even if you haven't seen the movie and you can appreciate a good quality soundtrack this is highly recommended .
The special edition doesn't cost a lot more so I opted for the fancy cover , otherwise there is not much special about this edition compared to the reular version .
3019806
The Batman world has developed, unfortunately for the characters and fortunately for Batman fans, into a much darker environment, at least compared to Batman Begins. The music developes with this trend also, and it should in order to fit the movie. Wherea's in Batman Begins the main theme, heard in "Eptesicus", is naive... in The Dark Knight it has evolved into what we appreciate in "Like a Dog Chasing Cars". It's the same theme, only it has grown darker, like the characters, like the story... like everything in a more mature Batman world.

Personally, I find both soundtracks ideal for meditation, BUT The Dark Knight is, ofcourse, filled with more anguish, as if no hope was left for good to fit in such a dark atmosphere.

This is heavy stuff, because it's a heavy movie filled with a lot of reality concerned to our modern society. It is not a superhero film, in fact the track "I'm Not a Hero" should leave that clear. Christopher Nolan took advantage of the Batman force (millions of fans) to criticize society in a very truthful and respectful way. Now, this soundtrack is complex, contrary to what others may think, and I recommend it if you can listen or see beyond the obvious. It is not romantic, nor adventoruous, nor heroic, nor relaxing, nor nostalgic. It's chaos with meaning.
634503
Ever since the revival of the Batman character way back in 1990 with Michael Keaton starring in the title role, the modern treatment of the original DC Comics series has, to me, been simply superlative. Even with the critically panned films starring Val Kilmer and George Clooney, the entire series has still carried the requisite emotional component of the main character being a deep and exceedingly dark presence; a brooding masked vigilante struggling with inner turmoil while still compelled to eliminate crime and its treacherous agents.

After a silent period following these Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher efforts, director Christopher Nolan introduced us again to the dizzying possibilities of this character in 2008's Batman Begins, a sort of reinvention of our hero for a younger generation. But it is this film, The Dark Knight, that provides us with the virtual high point of the genre in my view. And it's escalation is powerfully brought about by the astounding performance of the late Heath Ledger as the immensely disturbed Joker.

Yes many of these earlier versions of series have carried an updated depiction of this depraved character (Jack Nicholson being noteworthy) but it is in this film that the Joker literally boggles the mind. I think I can truly say that I've never witnessed a better performance on screen than what Heath Ledger presents here. I found myself speechless at the end; Ledger's ability to sink into this outlandish psychopathic role just blew me away...yes I'd seen him in "Patriot" and "Brokeback Mountain" and admired his abilities in those excellent films but he literally overwhelms us here.

His perfectly demented dialogue is only a small representation of his talent here though...the facial expressions, the tone, the licking of his scarred lips, his perfection of timing and his insanely "disguised as a nurse" walk out of the Gotham Hospital near the end of the film is just pure genius.

I almost despised his posthumous Academy Award because I felt that it was a "sympathy" statement rather than a true recognition of his abilities in this film. I seriously wonder whether he would have received it had he lived...and this is one of the many problems that I have with "the Academy." They've routinely taken an overtly emotional approach to the awarding of these prizes in lieu of the serious academic scrutiny that this art requires. My belief is that Ledger would have been bypassed had he lived and THAT would have been the disgraceful pictorial that these "critics" too often display.

Whining aside, you MUST see this film...the Batman role has never been better (Christian Bale brings home the performance of his life) and the Joker's fit into this rather cerebral plot is simply amazing. This is one of the more outstanding films you will ever see.
4299474
Warner Premiere and DC Comics have topped themselves with the Blu-ray / DVD release of "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1." After the release of "Batman: Year One," the only logical choice for the Caped Crusader's next solo animated feature was evident. It was time for Frank Miller's other beloved and critically acclaimed graphic novel to be adapted for the screen.

Frank Miller's "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" not only had an effect on the entire comic book industry, it influenced director Tim Burton to make a serious film adaptation based on the super hero that turned into a multi-billion dollar franchise. Many fans and historians would say it is responsible for the popularity of comic book movies today.

It's been ten years since Batman's last appearance in Gotham City. Bruce Wayne has retired the cape and cowl for a life of tedium and drinking. He meets occasionally with Commissioner Gordon for drinks and to talk about the state of the world. Gordon knows Wayne's secret and is one of his only confidants.

Bruce begins having horrible nightmares about his parents' deaths and witnesses Gotham City digress even further into the depths of depravity at the hands of a new criminal syndicate calling themselves the Mutants. He's driven to suit up once again to take on the homicidal maniacs and show the citizens of Gotham City that they need not live in fear any longer.

"Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1" is the best animated feature film DC and Warner Premiere have released. There's no other way of putting it. It feels epic and holds a cinematic flare that the other entries in the DC animated super hero movie franchise haven't accomplished. That's not to say they aren't good or worthy of praise. However, this takes the medium to a whole new level.

The animation is top notch and, although it doesn't mimic Frank Millers artwork for the book, there's a certain respect towards the unique style of the illustrations reflected in the film. Batman is larger than life and as bulky as the Hulk, but isn't quite as "abstract" as Miller's interpretation of him in the graphic novel. This is as close to a perfect representation of the book as I can imagine.

My only complaint is that there are a few spots where the plot jumps around a bit and gets a little hard to follow. They jump from one thing to the next so quickly with brief or no explanation. The viewer is left to just keep up and embrace the fast pacing once the movie gets rolling.

Peter Weller does a wonderful job bringing an older and weary Bruce Wayne to life. When he hits the streets for the first time in ten years, you can hear the satisfaction in his voice at re-embracing his long-forgotten mission of ridding the streets of Gotham City of the filth and crime that overtakes it.

The Blu-ray version of "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1" consists of quite a few treats for fans. There's a sneak peek of Part 2 and "Batman / Superman: Public Enemies." Two featurettes are included entitled "Batman and Me: The Bob Kane Story" and "Her Name is Carrie... Her Role is Robin." There are also two bonus cartoons from "Batman: The Animated Series" featured. A section of the "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" digital comic is found as well.

"Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1" will be the animated feature all future entries into the DC franchise will be measured by. They've set the bar high with this one. With a spectacular looking and sounding high-definition movie experience and some satisfying special features, this is a recommended purchase for all super hero fans.
1483043
Because if he or she had really written a review for GoodTimes' Pinocchio, he or she wouldn't have said that this film is evil or depressing because it simply isn't anything like that.  This version of Pinocchio is one of the most touching animated adventures to come out of the studio.  There's a lot of emotion and heart and when I was a little boy, this film used to make me cry.  The last few moments are absolutely moving.

The story begins when a spark of magic scapes from the home of the Blue Fairy and lands on Gepetto the toymaker's fireplace.  The spark of magic blends into one of the logs in the fire, it is this very log that Gepetto then turns into a toy all for his own.  He creates a little puppet which immediatly comes alive, for it had been blessed with the Blue Fairy's magic.  Gepetto sends his boy to school, but being a puppet just learning about the world, he decides to instead follow temptation and turn to see a puppet play instead.  Pinocchio lives through a number of adventures like this, being trusty of unkind strangers and lying to get out of trouble, but when he becomes the scare that threatens the very Blue Fairy's life, he promises to be a good boy and is given his heart's greatest desire.

I am so sick of people comparing GoodTimes films with Disney films and even more sick of adults expecting to be pleased with a film that is meant for smaller children.  Many of my friends have seen this wonderful animated tale when they were *children* and they all love it.  Adults have a harder time appreciating simple beauty and are too judgemental, these films should be reviewed by children, not grown-ups.  This was the review of an open-minded teen-ager.