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"You make me laugh. But only because I think you're kind of pathetic" - Terry. One of the most savage quotes out there. Joker is so used to Bruce's stoic personality that he wasn't ready for Terry's level of savagery. Joker's biggest mistake was thinking he could deal with Terry the same way he deals with Bruce. Terry was making Joker so uncomfortable, that the clown actually tried to escape the room than to deal with that, lol.
Joker also had an ego problem. He always wants to be top dog, the center of attention, someone that everyone remembers for the rest of their lives. That's why he got upset when Harley and Ivy were becoming so popular when they teamed up to become Gotham's Crime Queens. To the moment Terry was making fun of the Joker, it bruised him so badly since it's not what Batman would do.
Irony, that those were the last words Joker used on Batman when discovering his identity. Now, *they're the last words the Joker will hear reflected back at him* by the new Batman.
The genuine venom he’s able to put into some of the lines is incredible, especially at the end when the joker is strangling terry and telling him to laugh. There’s what sounds like genuine loathing in those lines in particular.
That flashback scene was something else. The way Tim Drake was tortured into becoming Joker Jr., Bruce's reaction, Tim's insane laugh turned to sobbing after killing Joker, it's all so chilling, and still one of the most powerful Batman moments ever.
For me, the moment Terry dismantled the Joker psychologically by heckling him, was the moment Terry truly became his own character and really became the Batman. And it was something only he would have done.
Indeed. Terry heckling The Joker is a truly fantastic moment. I especially love the final, mocking, "Ha, ha" he gives The Joker before using the joy buzzer to destroy the Joker chip. _Batman_ got the last laugh against The Joker; something that would never make sense with Bruce, but it's perfect for Terry.
I openly dislike the more modern harbinger of chaos joker. It’s part of why I enjoy the TAS version of joker he’s capable but at the end of the day he’s a homicidal schoolyard bully. That under all the devil may care bravado and gags he can easily fold like a paper tiger if you know the buttons to push.
Which leads to what Bruce says to Terry at the end. "Terry, I've been thinking about something you once told me, and you were wrong. It's not Batman that makes you worthwhile, it's the other way around. Never tell yourself anything different.". Yeah, the man makes Batman, not the other way around.
I love the idea of a "young" joker emerging in an unfamiliar future, seeing his main nemesis being a hunched old man with a cane, and his new rival being half his age.
Even though he's basically a hyperactive man-child on BMW, the few times they gave him a dramatic arc, he always nailed it HARD (one of my favorite "Serious" moments with Friedle was when Eric is holding a grudge against Cory for selling off their childhood things; that whole episode, he's pulling NO JOKES at all; only anger and it worked so well)
Batman (Terry): The real reason you kept coming back because you never got a laugh out of the old man. Get a clue, clowny. He’s got no sense of humor. He wouldn’t know a good joke if it bit him in the cape… not that you ever had a good joke.
To this day, Terry heckling The Joker is my favourite Batman moment. Terry comes into his own as Batman by beating The Joker through a method Bruce was too stoic to ever consider, and, with his defiant "Ha, ha" before destroying the Joker-chip, _Batman_ got the last laugh against The Joker.
I really like how their respective histories with Joker inform how Bruce and Terry see him. Bruce is probably the person who is most familiar with the Clown Prince of Crime and has more than enough reason to take him seriously as a threat even before before the trauma with Tim. Joker is like a bogeyman to him now, striking fear far more effectively than Scarecrow ever could. Whereas Terry’s experience is with the opportunistic Jokerz gang, opportunists whose crimes and ambitions don’t reach even the lesser of their idol’s schemes. He’s never known a Gotham under terror from Joker. This also informs how each Batman approaches Joker. Terry sees Joker’s weakness where Bruce can’t, that when his perceived threat is diminished so is his evil charisma. Terry heckles Joker into becoming sloppy because Joker can’t see past Bruce behind the cowl, and underestimates his new opponent. Bruce always took Joker seriously and Joker fed on that, but he couldn’t take being the butt of the joke himself.
Its also one of the things I like about Joker too, IMHO, the best versions of the Joker are the ones who are hypocrites. The one's who can dish it out, but can't take a serve. Because they actually allow Batman a victory, rather than a setback, if that makes sense.
I'll be honest. The main reason I remember this film is because of the flashback scene with Joker and Harley revealing their... Mentally traumatizied mini Joker. That's probably the worst thing they have ever done and everything about the mini Joker feels off... From his constant grinning to just the way he moves around.
It's the worst they've ever done in the DCAU at least. To me the worst goes to Injustice: Tricking Superman into killing his wife and unborn child as well as Metropolis, triggering the (to me) most realistic depiction of Batman vs Superman so far.
"It's not Batman that makes you worthwhile, it's the other way around. Never tell yourself anything different." A great line from old Bruce to Terry. Really shows how much Bruce actually entrusts him with Batman. Also, both Joker scenes are great, but there is something to be said for the 'censored' version. Joker dying to a Prat Fall electrocution is just hilarious.
Literary brought me to tears hearing that Kevin Conroy line again. It's something I didn't know I needed to hear as someone who holds himself to too high of a standard. A piece of advice we should all take to heart,
I think the uncut death is more impactful as it adds another aspect to Joker's 'victory'. He got one of the Batfamily to break Bruce's one rule. Plus it adds more to Tim's breakdown in the climax. He said "I killed him" like a repressed trauma was uncovered.
Everybody talks about how scary heath ledgers joker was but honestly mark hamill’s performance in this movie is Sh🐬t your pants terrifying torturing Robin and breaking his mind, killing bonk by launching a flag pole into his chest, sneaking into the bat cave and nearly killing Bruce with joker toxin and of course that scene where he’s tim drake and he makes Tim drake transform into him that’s just as scary if not scarier than the lamp wick scene from Pinocchio I watch this movie on Halloween simply because of how scary the joker is in it
I loved Terry's confrontation with the Joker. That chilling transformation scene, Terry getting under the Joker's skin by laughing at mocking him, and that last laugh the Joker gave, before Terry fried him, is one of my favorite Joker laughs; it was sadistic and downright scary.
Credit to TV Tropes: The fact that (despite voicing Joker for nearly a decade by this point) Mark Hamill actually felt uncomfortable voicing him in this film. *Let's put that in perspective.* In the original series, Joker repeatedly killed people in droves, abused his girlfriend, stalked a guy for years on end, and created Joker Venom. All of which was turned up in Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. *And yet what Joker did in this movie unnerved his voice actor.*
Personally I do like the uncut version better, because it _really_ emphasizes the mental struggle on the altered Robin. You can see him really struggling against the order to shoot Bruce, only to last minute inch the gun _just enough_ to get Joker as he pulls the trigger. He couldn't stop himself from pulling the trigger, and he was able to regain just enough control in the last second to prevent himself from killing his father figure. But the toll of still killing _anyone_ really breaks him after that
There IS a certain poetry on the censored version's death of Joker. The idea of Joker dying from tripping adds a certain sadistic level of humor. However i'm still more inclined on the uncut version mostly because of Tim Drake's mind control. The fact that he only managed to snap out of it for just a second enough to shoot Joker instead, feels way stronger since that shorter period feels way more powerful. Idk, i feel some of the seriousness of his torture gets lost when he manages to snap out of it for a much longer period of time, enough to not only drop the gun but actually stand up to him. But him only being able to JUST change the direction of the bullet feels way stronger.
Also the fact that the uncut Joker death is so mundane is actually a perfect cosmic punishment, the Slapstick death is fitting for Joker and exactly one of the ways he'd want to go out which is why him getting Shot by the Corrupted Tim Drake is so wonderful because he absolutely hates it. There's no big event, no forcing someone to break their code, and worst of all for him no punchline. Just him dying, like a common thug soon to be forgotten.
@@Kage-pm6qi That's ALSO fair, very true. In a way him dying like a normal person with nothing extra about it would be cool, and since Tim is already broken, there's nothing more to break within the code like you say. And much like in Arkham Knight, his biggest fear is to be forgotten, which kind of reflects in this movie with his opening scene where he puts alot of focus and even anger on "his days" and need to feel like he is still important.
I think the cut version is visually more interesting the and the scream more taunting. But you're right, too. Maybe a combination of the two would've been perfect. Tim shots the Joker like he did in the uncut version and with this stick in his heart he is pushed into the tubes. Still alive but deadly wounded he try's to get out and slips, and pushing the lever. That would be great. Best of both worlds.
@@jlev1028 if you can't see through the deceit and lies that WB has created and infested your mind with, you sir are truely a fool. also i am planning to sue WB for character assassination to get every single copy of this movie removed from shelves.
Terry Mcginis will always be the true successor to Bruce in my book, I loved Batman Beyond and everything Terry stood for, he is such a great character, a troubled youth who has a good heart but led astray after the death of his father, he still has family and isn't a loner like Bruce; that's what makes him so compelling, he's everything Bruce wanted to be. Over the course of the show, you really get to see him grow into the Batman role and make it his own with Bruce as his Alfred. I wait for the day Terry becomes canon to the mainline comics.
I prefer the uncut version of Joker's death. Joker's ultimate "joke" is to kill Batman. He sets up the "joke" by kidnapping Tim Drake and mentally and physically torturing him, resulting in a mini-Joker, while Batman and Batgirl search for him. He continues the build-up by leading them to the closed-up Arkham and revealing what he did to Tim. This build-up turns into the ultimate punchline--having Tim kill Batman while Joker and his miniature version laugh. However, Tim Drake shoots Joker, ruining the "joke" he likely worked on for years. In Joker's dying words, "That's not funny. That's not--"
Also the fact that Joker did not go out in a flashy or funny way, but died like a common street thug. Talk about going out with a whimper. Which just makes it even better. No grandiose send off just bang yer dead.
There’s something so fitting about a character like Joker dieing because he slipped on some water, one of the most iconic forms of classic slapstick comedy
when nostalgia critic reviewed this movie, he said that was what he felt would be the perfect death for a clown, an equivalent to dying by slipping on a banana peel
@@BrandonSwinney-j2vNostalgia Critic didn't review this movie, it was just an editorial transcript titled Is This The Best Joker Death? where he discussed the way the Joker died, the build up towards his death and if this is really his best out of every other incarnation. However, he should still review this movie, since he talks about Batman all the time in this channel.
I like the uncut version of Joekr's death better. It's more blunt, and undramatic, in contrast to what the Joker is. It strips away the theatricality of everything, and presents it as it is, giving more impact to what the Joker actually did to Tim.
Eh, I just don't agree that the edited version of Tim merely pushing the Joker is more compelling. Frankly, I don't see how it can be. Thematically, it doesn't hold as much weight because the Joker dying isn't ultimately by his hand; it's an accident. On the Joker side of things, him dying by accident is kinda funny. But the fact that Tim, regardless of what was done to him, had it in him to ultimately pull the trigger adds SO MUCH more weight to the trauma he feels as an adult. I guess it's enough for some people that he had this horrible thing happen to him, but if the Joker had died by accident, then the guilt that Tim feels later on makes no sense: "I can still hear him laughing. Telling me I'm as bad as he is. We're both THE SAME!"....... It's not just about turning the kid visually into the Joker; Joker effectively made him a murderer, even if he did kill the baddest of the bad. If Joker drugged up Robin just to make the kid look like the former without Robin ever committing any wrong-doing, then the agony that adult Tim is lamenting about, "being as bad as he is" and them being "the same" simply doesn't hold up. The Joker took this child and put him into a position to take someone's life. I'm sorry, but you don't get any of that if Tim simply shoves Joker, and the latter accidentally slips. If anything, THAT is much too clean. It wipes Tim's hands clean, when the whole point is that he's spent the rest of his life with blood on his hands.
You mentioned possibly covering the “Epilogue” episode one day. As I’ve said before, I would be right there if you covered the rest of the DCAU in the same format.
I prefer the PG-13 version of Joker's death, ironically _because_ of the same reason the censors wanted it changed; it makes Tim _explicitly_ the person who kills Joker, rather than it being a stupid accident where Joker practically kills himself. It's _way_ more impactful considering the Batfamily runs on the no-kill code.
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker is my favorite DC animated movie… full stop. I’m a massive fan of the Batman Beyond series in general, but this movie is excellent ending of that series (and the DCAU in general too). The look of the series, Terry, Bad-Ass Old Man Bruce, etc. Also this movie showed the darkest acts ever committed by the Joker (in the DCAU anyway). That demented clown kidnapped, torture and mentally broke Tim Drake. It was also echo to what happened to Jason Todd/Red Hood in the comics. It just goes to show that Joker was more than just a “garden variety nutcase”, he was an insane, cruel, manipulative monster who was evil all the way down to his core. I also love how Terry defeats Joker. Terry is a different type of Batman than Bruce was (Terry is actually kinda like Spider-Man with his quips). And he was able to throw Joker off his game by just making fun of him, with Terry finally finishing him off for good when he was getting choked out by him. Terry finally ended the nightmare that was the Joker, allowing the Bat-Family to move on and heal. I love this movie with my heart and soul.
For those who have not watched the series, watch this movie, then it will give you a reason to watch the series and you will watch the whole series...thats how good it is.
You got that right about audiences not necessarily having to watch an episode of Batman Beyond to enjoy this movie. Believe me, Return of the Joker (the censored version) was my first exposure to the series back in middle school, and it's on my top 20 favorite animated flicks. In fact, I didn't know about the show itself until J's Reviews covered it 2019. Still, I'd say the experience is enhanced by viewing the entire show and knowing how every obstacle Terry confronted led to this. To me, you wouldn't truly understand why Terry deserved to be the next Batman if not for those three seasons.
I always remember the dialogue between Terry and Joker during their final battle; Batman (Terry): "Why? I thought you always _wanted_ to make Batman laugh." Joker: "YOU'RE NOT BATMAN!!!" Joker starts chocking Batman: "Come on, McGinnis. LAUGH!"
The Joker: "Come on, McGinnis! Laugh it up now, you miserable little punk! LAUGH! I can't hear you!" Terry: "...Ha, ha." (Destroys the microchip with the joy buzzer). Remember what Barbara Gordon said about how The Joker got the last laugh? Terry's final defiant "Ha, ha" meant that, in fact, _Batman_ got the last laugh.
This film has so many subtle nuances too, such as Jordan Price being played by Mark Hamill and having a similar head shape to Joker, really played into the red herring aspect, as well as the animation, whether you're a fan of Akira or not, the laser sequence is absolutely incredible, and it's crazy the original animator of that sequence took it upon himself to one up his own work is so cool
I'm sorry, but I prefer the uncut version of Joker's death. Not only is it more haunting to hear him says "that's not funny" and hearing what happened to his body, but it also made most sense why tim broke down afterwards.
That moment where Terry taunted Joker was the moment he became one of my favorites to be Batman. My jaw was on the floor when I saw it. I was like "He's making fun of him! And its working!" Wonderful scene with excellent top tier voice acting from Hamill and Friedle.
This movie was my first introduction to Batman beyond and Batman the animated series itself, and the first scene I saw was the flashback to how Joker died, and I just wanted to watch more of this amazing animated universe
One thing that I really loved but you did not mention is how Terry turned the tables on Joker. He starts to fight dirty. He starts to REALLY taunt the Joker and not just with some sparky quips. He throes the Joker off by being something HE wasn't expecting and reminding Joker he isn't the same batman that the Joker used to play games with. He then starts to assess the jokers' behavior over all those years. He questions why he obsessed so much over bats and states the goal must have been yo make Batman laugh. He wanted to make Bruce stoop to his level at least once. Break the stoic demeanor and give in to the madness on his level but Bats never would. Terry finally pushes things over the edge by saying he will laugh but not for the joker..just at him. He starts to cackle at the clown from the shadows driving him into a full on rage. THIS felt like a true passing of the torch to me. The psychology and tactics Terry used were very in line with the origional batman but it a direction Bruce would never take. Terry always came off a a balanced fusion of Batman and Nightwing to me. A happy middle ground between the two that was just what was needed for the evolving crimes cape of Gothem. I felt this scene explemplified that. It also proved the Joker was no longer valid in this Gothem. He tried to break the bat but couldnt and now there was one so different from the prior tat he couldnt be broken in the same way. Jokers time was over and a batman he couldn't even compete with had taken over. Even if he was bluffing or dead wrong on the Joker'smotivations, it didn't matter. He knew what buttons to push to get Mr. J . off his game and that was the point. He did the one thing Bruce never could or perhaps just would. He truely got into Joker's head and switched the roles to put an end to his shenanigans once and for all. Awesome! You only touched upon it but you did mention this a little at the end.
I think killing Joker by shooting is better cause it makes the feelings mixed rather than just one gasp from electricution. If jolt death would stay, we'd think only about Joker: "Wow, slipping and dying by accident. Truly hilariously genius" (i think Doug brought it up too). But with shot we get: A) come on, that last line is awesome. Unexpected and tone-changing; B) we get a catarsis: finally, Joker is dead; B2) and sudden mystery: but if he's dead, who is in future; C) Tim's emotional breakdown as audience is relieved knowing that there's still hope and sad because we know that is his end as Robin. He commited a murder. He broke Bat-family rule. There's no future for him as hero and Bruce's successor. Joker in the end won - Bruce lost his another son. For me it's more compelling.
I do have to agree with Walter, this movie was my introduction to Batman Beyond and it made me want to watch the actual series. It's sad to know all of the behind the scenes stuff that was going on and the delays, but I still say they did an amazing job.
I was a bit surprised, and glad, that they included Terry in the newest JL movie Crisis on Infinite Earths. They even have the same voice actor, which makes it even better. I really wanna see him have his own movie, though, which would be the best.
Thank you for at least mentioning the final fight between Terry and The Joker. I feel like that was a huge moment for Terry’s character and most overlook it. My favorite DCAU movie. But I always felt like if it was given just a little more time, budget, and less interference it could’ve been even better. And after you giving some backstory I think I was right
his is one of my favorite Batman Movies, hands down. I remember watching this for the first time and being absolutely disturbed by the flashback scene. I prefer the uncut version, because there is something about seeing joker just straight up shot like that, and the feeling the sudden shock of it, being a bit more powerful and raw then him getting electrocuted off screen. I would see something like that breaking Tim mentally and emotionally than the censored version.
It still Amaze's me that Batman Beyond has had so much trouble getting a modern day interpretation. No Video Games. No Live Action/Animated Movies. No series continuation. Nothing. Yeah I know the comics are a thing, but you can say that about alot of series.
Such a good movie. Batman Beyond doesn't get enough praise. The fact that there wasn't a grand finale to the series is actually why the JL shows always had a grand finale. They swore they wouldn't make that mistake again. Also, the fact that Joker thought of Terry as a nonfactor is part of why he lost. He dismissed him at every opportunity. "Batfake." Which makes the fact that -Terry- Batman broke him at the end, so much more satisfying.
Whenever I think of how you write joker, hell how joker should talk in just one line, I go to this movie. Specifically the speech where he reveals to Batman he knows everything. Just everything from the dialogue, to the sick comedy, and most especially mark hamil’s performance is how I judge any other version of the character
When I saw the version we got as a kid, I didn't even know there were other versions of this movie. And for me, I think the death scene of the Joker where he is shocked to death is more impactful.
I get why people like the cencored Joker death. In a lot of ways, it's ironic. But I prefer the uncut version because it really confirms that the Joker's dead...I mean we see the body...it builds with the mystery instead of the censored version where viewers would say, "Oh yeah He might have survived that." And like in BTAS, when there were so many fake outs with the Jokers "demise" only for him to reappear a couple of episodes later. BB-ROTJ uncensored confirms that this isn't a fake out. He's really dead. Yes, the censored version show more of Tim fighting back. But I enjoy the idea that in the uncut version, he managed to think clearly for a split second before he was swallowed up by Jokers' influence. He wasn't sure how long that second would last, so he took the shot. Regardless, I absolutely LOVE this movie!!
Terry: He's tough. Any suggestions boss? Bruce: Joker's vain, and likes to talk. He'll try to distract you, but don't listen. Just power on through. Terry: Wait. I like to talk too.
15:30 I suspect it's not a coincidence that Joker's last words in the Arkham City game are the opposite of his last words here. ROTJ: "That's not funny...that's not..." AC: "Actually, that IS...pretty funny..."
I remember finding out only a couple years ago that the VHS my parents had was the censored version. I think honestly the censored death of Joker is more brutal anyway
I love this film just as much as Mask of the Phantasm. Terry is a great character, what happens to Tim always gets me choked up, and how Joker meets his end in the censored version is better than the uncut one in my opinion.
my favourite part of this movie is Terry laughing and making one-liners at Joker (even calling his grudge laughably pathetic) all the while Joker is proclaiming that Terry is not Batman, Terry is his own kind of Batman much how Miles Morales is his own kind of Spider-Man.
The unedited version is tops...it destroyed the true small knit Bat Family. Both because Tim Drake, clinging to sanity had no choice but to kill Joker (or Bruce), violating the no gun Rule...but also because of all the times Batman could have stopped Joker from so going over the edge torturing the innocent Tim Drake. You did leave out one great piece of story though...Ace the Bat-Hound! What a good boy!
I always thought Joker's line when showing Bruce the film reel was "Oh, what the hell! I'll laugh anyway!" but everyone I talk to about this movie says it was "What the heck" and I don't know if I'm misremembering or if it was part of the uncut version.
I think the difference in the scenes of the Joker's demise are just telling 2 different stories. The censored version shows Tim was still Robin under there, that even though the joker brutalized him, he could come back. The uncut scene shows just how far and how dark the Joker pushed him, as Tim, like Bruce would never resort to killing. But, because of the Joker's influence, Tim went somewhere he could NEVER come back from. And this was more impact full on Bruce too, as he saw how far gone the closest thing he had to a son was. Both did their job, but told different stories.
With the cut death, having it actually SHOW him get electrocuted and then mirroring it with Terry shocking the chip and killing him in the same way with the same visual of his face while he's getting electrocuted would've felt better. Also anyone else want to talk about how good the Joker Red Herring with Pryce was? He was drawn to look almost exactly like him and he was voiced by Mark Hamill.
I can attest that this movie holds up and is easy to follow even without watching the series. I initially rejected the idea of Batman Beyond... until I watched this movie. The beautifully brutal backstory for what they did to Tim will always stay with me, and I remember thinking, "Wow, this Terry kid is screwing with the Joker's head. Maybe I'll give this a shot." I was instantly hooked.
I like the gunshot death better than the electrocuted scene as it gives more into the clown aspect. With the gun, it’s like either Tim's love for Batman was strong enough to shift his aim or that J.J was so twisted that he did the unexpected thing just as Joker would. Was he crying cause he killed someone like Joker would or cause he failed as Batman's son. It shows that Batman will always be a part of Tim and now, so will the Joker, so is he Robin or J.J?
Then there's Kevin Conroy's most intimidating-straight up terrifying line delivery was in this. "I'll break you in two." When I hear him say those lines, to me that's just him subtly saying "This time I'm breaking my rule just to kill you."
Am I the only one who didn't buy Batman not ripping Joker a new one after all that? The whole thing of beating and torturing the kid and bringing up everything that made Batman Batman and mocking it after years and years of fighting Joker and trying to save Harley from him and all of it just led to that, I just can't picture Batman not breaking him hard, I mean I can see him not killing him but I just don't see how Batman even was talking at that point.
The alternate death is beautifully animated, ill give it that. A little too convenient for my tastes. I like the half second decision to shoot much more. Thats how close Batman was to losing everything.
15:41 I think the uncut version shows how horribly tortured Tim had been & maximum amount of resistance he could will was to tilt the gun a few degrees
I agree on the alternative Joker death, the electrocution just feels darker and blood chilling. Which honestly speaking, that fits with the Joker seen here in the film, he had funny menace in the show but here? The monster behind the smile was out to play and that deserved something a bit more "Leave it to your mind to fill in the blank" as it leaves him feeling as more a monster then a man. Though I will give the gun one a nod of respect, as its another significant moment in Batman's life involving one. Also I do like having Harley survive and it being unspoken that she got her life back together and is now firmly against her family getting involved in super crime
Is this the best DCAU movie?
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YES
Love those twins, man Dee Dee both played by Sabrina, shame they never told who the daddy was or parents of them, rip Arleen!
Return of the Joker: 10/10 no questions asked.
Awesome video!
There was also a video game about
It.
It sucked.😂
Terry gave Joker his worst nightmare: The batman laughing AT him and becoming the bane of every comedian, a heckler.
So you decided to get your skin bleached & become a super villain
What? You couldn’t get a job as a rodeo clown?!! AHAHAHA!!!
What? You couldn’t get work as a rodeo clown? AHAHAHA!!!
@@skylineXpert "Couldn't get work as a rodeo clown?"
Terry grew on the internet and has been S***posting since he was 5. The Joker never stood a chance.
"You make me laugh. But only because I think you're kind of pathetic" - Terry.
One of the most savage quotes out there. Joker is so used to Bruce's stoic personality that he wasn't ready for Terry's level of savagery. Joker's biggest mistake was thinking he could deal with Terry the same way he deals with Bruce. Terry was making Joker so uncomfortable, that the clown actually tried to escape the room than to deal with that, lol.
Joker also had an ego problem. He always wants to be top dog, the center of attention, someone that everyone remembers for the rest of their lives. That's why he got upset when Harley and Ivy were becoming so popular when they teamed up to become Gotham's Crime Queens.
To the moment Terry was making fun of the Joker, it bruised him so badly since it's not what Batman would do.
Yep. He was so used to being Bruce’s number one foe that he didn’t realize that for this new Batman, he was only “Random Bad Guy #83”.
The build up to that line was essential, but that last line was THE final twist of the knife.
Irony, that those were the last words Joker used on Batman when discovering his identity. Now, *they're the last words the Joker will hear reflected back at him* by the new Batman.
That was Savage and Hilarious!
Terry is an Underrated Batman!
Mark Hamill's performance in this movie is one of my favorites in all his career as the Joker. He never disappoints, but he was so good here.
He's so awesome in this!!
He’s totally amazing in this
The genuine venom he’s able to put into some of the lines is incredible, especially at the end when the joker is strangling terry and telling him to laugh. There’s what sounds like genuine loathing in those lines in particular.
That flashback scene was something else. The way Tim Drake was tortured into becoming Joker Jr., Bruce's reaction, Tim's insane laugh turned to sobbing after killing Joker, it's all so chilling, and still one of the most powerful Batman moments ever.
Damn, Joker just loves torturing Robin's, huh? Im wondering who suffered the most Jason Todd or Tim Drake?
I know right? The trauma that guy went through is insane.
It was so good!!
@@milkiassamuel780 in this, Tim, in under the red hood, Jason. Both suffered equally in my eyes
The PG-13 version of that scene was way more darker and way more hard to sit throat seen what joker did to Tim pushed Batman to the edge
The moment Terry turns out the lights to scare the Joker with the impending doom of the laser is as pure of a "Batman" moment as there's ever been
For me, the moment Terry dismantled the Joker psychologically by heckling him, was the moment Terry truly became his own character and really became the Batman. And it was something only he would have done.
Indeed. Terry heckling The Joker is a truly fantastic moment. I especially love the final, mocking, "Ha, ha" he gives The Joker before using the joy buzzer to destroy the Joker chip. _Batman_ got the last laugh against The Joker; something that would never make sense with Bruce, but it's perfect for Terry.
TAS aside, I never liked Batman but Beyond was a great series and a new take on Legacy characters.
I openly dislike the more modern harbinger of chaos joker. It’s part of why I enjoy the TAS version of joker he’s capable but at the end of the day he’s a homicidal schoolyard bully. That under all the devil may care bravado and gags he can easily fold like a paper tiger if you know the buttons to push.
"Joker's vain and likes to talk, he'll try to distract you but don't listen! Block it out and power through."
"Wait...I like to talk too."
Which leads to what Bruce says to Terry at the end. "Terry, I've been thinking about something you once told me, and you were wrong. It's not Batman that makes you worthwhile, it's the other way around. Never tell yourself anything different.". Yeah, the man makes Batman, not the other way around.
I love the idea of a "young" joker emerging in an unfamiliar future, seeing his main nemesis being a hunched old man with a cane, and his new rival being half his age.
... Holy, that's actually a good elevator pitch material.
Holy shit I never until this moment realized that Terry McGinnis is voiced by Ron Stoppable. Dude's got range.
It shocked me when I finally learned that. He does a great job as Terry
And to think, Terry was Will Friedle’s first voice acting role!
Sean from Boy Meets World.
@@lainiwakura1776 Eric Matthews actually! :)
"Oh what the heck, I'll laugh anyway. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"If You don't like video i got slides"
Still can't believe the guy who's Ron Stoppable and Cory's brother on Boy Meets World was Batman
He came back on crisis.
Even though he's basically a hyperactive man-child on BMW, the few times they gave him a dramatic arc, he always nailed it HARD (one of my favorite "Serious" moments with Friedle was when Eric is holding a grudge against Cory for selling off their childhood things; that whole episode, he's pulling NO JOKES at all; only anger and it worked so well)
Also Bumblebee in Transformers: Robots in Disguise. They also gave him a one-shot villain role in The Batman 2004.
He also voiced Star-Lord and the guardians of the Galaxy animated series
And he's a really nice guy too!
The Joker: "Don't play psychoanalyst with me, boy"
Batman (Terry): “Oh, I don’t need a degree to figure you out.”
Batman (Terry): The real reason you kept coming back because you never got a laugh out of the old man. Get a clue, clowny. He’s got no sense of humor. He wouldn’t know a good joke if it bit him in the cape… not that you ever had a good joke.
@@jonathanshaw9704 "I'm not hearing this..."
@@Penguinmanereikel
I mean Joy buzzers? Squirting flowers? Lame, where's the A-material? Make a face, drop your pants, something!
Terry pulled a Tommy Boy on the Joker. He may not have all the book smarts that Bruce has, but he does have street smarts
To this day, Terry heckling The Joker is my favourite Batman moment. Terry comes into his own as Batman by beating The Joker through a method Bruce was too stoic to ever consider, and, with his defiant "Ha, ha" before destroying the Joker-chip, _Batman_ got the last laugh against The Joker.
Bruce kinda did the same thing in "Mad Love" when he mocked Joker about Harley coming closer to killing Batman than he ever did.
@@Regfife Batman also laughed at Harley.
I really like how their respective histories with Joker inform how Bruce and Terry see him. Bruce is probably the person who is most familiar with the Clown Prince of Crime and has more than enough reason to take him seriously as a threat even before before the trauma with Tim. Joker is like a bogeyman to him now, striking fear far more effectively than Scarecrow ever could. Whereas Terry’s experience is with the opportunistic Jokerz gang, opportunists whose crimes and ambitions don’t reach even the lesser of their idol’s schemes. He’s never known a Gotham under terror from Joker.
This also informs how each Batman approaches Joker. Terry sees Joker’s weakness where Bruce can’t, that when his perceived threat is diminished so is his evil charisma. Terry heckles Joker into becoming sloppy because Joker can’t see past Bruce behind the cowl, and underestimates his new opponent. Bruce always took Joker seriously and Joker fed on that, but he couldn’t take being the butt of the joke himself.
Well put. Thank you.
Its also one of the things I like about Joker too, IMHO, the best versions of the Joker are the ones who are hypocrites. The one's who can dish it out, but can't take a serve. Because they actually allow Batman a victory, rather than a setback, if that makes sense.
18:53 Joker: Don't you dare laught at me!
Batman Beyond: Why?
I thought the Joker always wanted to make Batman laugh!
Joker: YOU'RE NOT BATMAN!!!
Only a few gotten under Joker's skin, but Terry made it all the way to his kidneys.
I'll be honest. The main reason I remember this film is because of the flashback scene with Joker and Harley revealing their... Mentally traumatizied mini Joker. That's probably the worst thing they have ever done and everything about the mini Joker feels off... From his constant grinning to just the way he moves around.
Terry should've told Dana the truth about his identity after the attack by The Jokerz gang
It's the worst they've ever done in the DCAU at least.
To me the worst goes to Injustice: Tricking Superman into killing his wife and unborn child as well as Metropolis, triggering the (to me) most realistic depiction of Batman vs Superman so far.
@@MR-hk2qu Well after Superman murdered The Joker and became a fascist dictator that made sense for Batman to want to bring him down.
For real, they made a _PG-13 rated snuff film_ for 3 minutes.
"It's not Batman that makes you worthwhile, it's the other way around. Never tell yourself anything different."
A great line from old Bruce to Terry. Really shows how much Bruce actually entrusts him with Batman.
Also, both Joker scenes are great, but there is something to be said for the 'censored' version. Joker dying to a Prat Fall electrocution is just hilarious.
Literary brought me to tears hearing that Kevin Conroy line again. It's something I didn't know I needed to hear as someone who holds himself to too high of a standard. A piece of advice we should all take to heart,
That quote from Bruce Wayne really brings Terry's Batman Journey Full Circle. RIP KEVIN CONROY.
Either way, Joker is hoist by his own petard. The best possible way for a clown to go out.
Yeah., the man makes Batman, not the other way around. *nods to this*
Very wise words, thank you for sharing Mechanicus pfp man
I think the uncut death is more impactful as it adds another aspect to Joker's 'victory'. He got one of the Batfamily to break Bruce's one rule. Plus it adds more to Tim's breakdown in the climax. He said "I killed him" like a repressed trauma was uncovered.
Everybody talks about how scary heath ledgers joker was but honestly mark hamill’s performance in this movie is
Sh🐬t your pants terrifying torturing Robin and breaking his mind, killing bonk by launching a flag pole into his chest, sneaking into the bat cave and nearly killing Bruce with joker toxin and of course that scene where he’s tim drake and he makes Tim drake transform into him that’s just as scary if not scarier than the lamp wick scene from Pinocchio I watch this movie on Halloween simply because of how scary the joker is in it
Ledger's joker wasn't scarry
@@candycover People are likely only comparing live action Jokers.
Joker: It would be funny if it wasnt so pathetic.
Terry: You make me laugh, only because i think youre pathetic
"That's not funny... That's not..."
It's perfect!
I couldn't imagine better last words for the definitive version of the Joker.
I loved Terry's confrontation with the Joker. That chilling transformation scene, Terry getting under the Joker's skin by laughing at mocking him, and that last laugh the Joker gave, before Terry fried him, is one of my favorite Joker laughs; it was sadistic and downright scary.
I've said this before and I'll say it again, this film is Mark Hamill's best and most terrifying ever performance as the Joker!
Credit to TV Tropes: The fact that (despite voicing Joker for nearly a decade by this point) Mark Hamill actually felt uncomfortable voicing him in this film. *Let's put that in perspective.* In the original series, Joker repeatedly killed people in droves, abused his girlfriend, stalked a guy for years on end, and created Joker Venom. All of which was turned up in Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. *And yet what Joker did in this movie unnerved his voice actor.*
At least cite TV Tropes before copy pasting its content.
Personally I do like the uncut version better, because it _really_ emphasizes the mental struggle on the altered Robin. You can see him really struggling against the order to shoot Bruce, only to last minute inch the gun _just enough_ to get Joker as he pulls the trigger. He couldn't stop himself from pulling the trigger, and he was able to regain just enough control in the last second to prevent himself from killing his father figure. But the toll of still killing _anyone_ really breaks him after that
There IS a certain poetry on the censored version's death of Joker. The idea of Joker dying from tripping adds a certain sadistic level of humor. However i'm still more inclined on the uncut version mostly because of Tim Drake's mind control.
The fact that he only managed to snap out of it for just a second enough to shoot Joker instead, feels way stronger since that shorter period feels way more powerful. Idk, i feel some of the seriousness of his torture gets lost when he manages to snap out of it for a much longer period of time, enough to not only drop the gun but actually stand up to him. But him only being able to JUST change the direction of the bullet feels way stronger.
Also the fact that the uncut Joker death is so mundane is actually a perfect cosmic punishment, the Slapstick death is fitting for Joker and exactly one of the ways he'd want to go out which is why him getting Shot by the Corrupted Tim Drake is so wonderful because he absolutely hates it. There's no big event, no forcing someone to break their code, and worst of all for him no punchline. Just him dying, like a common thug soon to be forgotten.
@@Kage-pm6qi That's ALSO fair, very true. In a way him dying like a normal person with nothing extra about it would be cool, and since Tim is already broken, there's nothing more to break within the code like you say.
And much like in Arkham Knight, his biggest fear is to be forgotten, which kind of reflects in this movie with his opening scene where he puts alot of focus and even anger on "his days" and need to feel like he is still important.
the uncut verison also plays more into the trauma of the event and plays a aprt in why batman's relationships fell apart
I didn't know there was two versions. I only saw the one where Drake shot him.
I think the cut version is visually more interesting the and the scream more taunting. But you're right, too. Maybe a combination of the two would've been perfect. Tim shots the Joker like he did in the uncut version and with this stick in his heart he is pushed into the tubes. Still alive but deadly wounded he try's to get out and slips, and pushing the lever. That would be great. Best of both worlds.
I would've loved a Bat-May Beyond but I'll take this
please no, i got enough issues with this movie, i don't need to be traumatized further with the shit-fest that is Batman Beyond
@@deadponic117Grow up.
@@jlev1028 if you can't see through the deceit and lies that WB has created and infested your mind with, you sir are truely a fool.
also i am planning to sue WB for character assassination to get every single copy of this movie removed from shelves.
@@deadponic117 shit fest? Damn bro you got issues...
It would’ve gotten him close to another 2 years
Terry Mcginis will always be the true successor to Bruce in my book, I loved Batman Beyond and everything Terry stood for, he is such a great character, a troubled youth who has a good heart but led astray after the death of his father, he still has family and isn't a loner like Bruce; that's what makes him so compelling, he's everything Bruce wanted to be. Over the course of the show, you really get to see him grow into the Batman role and make it his own with Bruce as his Alfred. I wait for the day Terry becomes canon to the mainline comics.
I prefer the uncut version of Joker's death.
Joker's ultimate "joke" is to kill Batman. He sets up the "joke" by kidnapping Tim Drake and mentally and physically torturing him, resulting in a mini-Joker, while Batman and Batgirl search for him. He continues the build-up by leading them to the closed-up Arkham and revealing what he did to Tim. This build-up turns into the ultimate punchline--having Tim kill Batman while Joker and his miniature version laugh.
However, Tim Drake shoots Joker, ruining the "joke" he likely worked on for years.
In Joker's dying words, "That's not funny. That's not--"
Also the fact that Joker did not go out in a flashy or funny way, but died like a common street thug. Talk about going out with a whimper. Which just makes it even better. No grandiose send off just bang yer dead.
Joker even foreshadows how he died in the beginning of the movie when he murders Bonk with the same bang gun that Tim shot him with.
All those poor kids that got scarred watching Robin be Jokified O.O
There’s something so fitting about a character like Joker dieing because he slipped on some water, one of the most iconic forms of classic slapstick comedy
when nostalgia critic reviewed this movie, he said that was what he felt would be the perfect death for a clown, an equivalent to dying by slipping on a banana peel
@@BrandonSwinney-j2vNostalgia Critic didn't review this movie, it was just an editorial transcript titled Is This The Best Joker Death? where he discussed the way the Joker died, the build up towards his death and if this is really his best out of every other incarnation. However, he should still review this movie, since he talks about Batman all the time in this channel.
@@arilumani6194 it had been a while, so I forgot it wasn't a full review
Joker: "That's not funny"
So, what's next for Bat-May?
Mystery of the Batwoman
Mystery of the Batwoman
I like the uncut version of Joekr's death better. It's more blunt, and undramatic, in contrast to what the Joker is. It strips away the theatricality of everything, and presents it as it is, giving more impact to what the Joker actually did to Tim.
RIP to Wayne Static of Static X who did the vocals on Crash with Mephisto Odyssey. A true metal legend.
The Batman look he had on in the video was cool.
Also Kevin Conroy and arleen.
I watched this movie before ever seeing Batman Beyond.
I still had an awesome time
BEST animated batman movie. Happy Bat-May!
I have quite literally never seen a video show up on my feed this quickly, and one on my favorite Batman animated series?
Eh, I just don't agree that the edited version of Tim merely pushing the Joker is more compelling. Frankly, I don't see how it can be. Thematically, it doesn't hold as much weight because the Joker dying isn't ultimately by his hand; it's an accident. On the Joker side of things, him dying by accident is kinda funny. But the fact that Tim, regardless of what was done to him, had it in him to ultimately pull the trigger adds SO MUCH more weight to the trauma he feels as an adult. I guess it's enough for some people that he had this horrible thing happen to him, but if the Joker had died by accident, then the guilt that Tim feels later on makes no sense: "I can still hear him laughing. Telling me I'm as bad as he is. We're both THE SAME!"....... It's not just about turning the kid visually into the Joker; Joker effectively made him a murderer, even if he did kill the baddest of the bad. If Joker drugged up Robin just to make the kid look like the former without Robin ever committing any wrong-doing, then the agony that adult Tim is lamenting about, "being as bad as he is" and them being "the same" simply doesn't hold up. The Joker took this child and put him into a position to take someone's life. I'm sorry, but you don't get any of that if Tim simply shoves Joker, and the latter accidentally slips. If anything, THAT is much too clean. It wipes Tim's hands clean, when the whole point is that he's spent the rest of his life with blood on his hands.
This Movie proves why Joker cannot be a Spider-Man Villain, Terry does what no one else does in the DCAU. He Mocks and Deconstructs the Joker.
You took that J’s Reviews review of Return of The Joker didn’t you?
@@M0b1us_118 YEAP. And He's Not Wrong.
@@VictoryArtz Damn straight.
You mentioned possibly covering the “Epilogue” episode one day. As I’ve said before, I would be right there if you covered the rest of the DCAU in the same format.
I prefer the PG-13 version of Joker's death, ironically _because_ of the same reason the censors wanted it changed; it makes Tim _explicitly_ the person who kills Joker, rather than it being a stupid accident where Joker practically kills himself. It's _way_ more impactful considering the Batfamily runs on the no-kill code.
Terry mocking the Joker is such a great moment
Joker line if it a whopen your a wanton. Still goes hard to this day
Let's dance bozo...
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker is my favorite DC animated movie… full stop. I’m a massive fan of the Batman Beyond series in general, but this movie is excellent ending of that series (and the DCAU in general too). The look of the series, Terry, Bad-Ass Old Man Bruce, etc.
Also this movie showed the darkest acts ever committed by the Joker (in the DCAU anyway). That demented clown kidnapped, torture and mentally broke Tim Drake. It was also echo to what happened to Jason Todd/Red Hood in the comics. It just goes to show that Joker was more than just a “garden variety nutcase”, he was an insane, cruel, manipulative monster who was evil all the way down to his core.
I also love how Terry defeats Joker. Terry is a different type of Batman than Bruce was (Terry is actually kinda like Spider-Man with his quips). And he was able to throw Joker off his game by just making fun of him, with Terry finally finishing him off for good when he was getting choked out by him. Terry finally ended the nightmare that was the Joker, allowing the Bat-Family to move on and heal.
I love this movie with my heart and soul.
Terry pulled a Tommy Boy on Joker. He may not have all the book smarts that Bruce has, but he does have street smarts
For those who have not watched the series, watch this movie, then it will give you a reason to watch the series and you will watch the whole series...thats how good it is.
Indeed. I watched the movie before watching the series. The movie and the show are both really good.
Yeah, I was thinking about finally watching the series sometime.
You got that right about audiences not necessarily having to watch an episode of Batman Beyond to enjoy this movie. Believe me, Return of the Joker (the censored version) was my first exposure to the series back in middle school, and it's on my top 20 favorite animated flicks. In fact, I didn't know about the show itself until J's Reviews covered it 2019. Still, I'd say the experience is enhanced by viewing the entire show and knowing how every obstacle Terry confronted led to this. To me, you wouldn't truly understand why Terry deserved to be the next Batman if not for those three seasons.
I always remember the dialogue between Terry and Joker during their final battle;
Batman (Terry): "Why? I thought you always _wanted_ to make Batman laugh."
Joker: "YOU'RE NOT BATMAN!!!"
Joker starts chocking Batman: "Come on, McGinnis. LAUGH!"
The Joker: "Come on, McGinnis! Laugh it up now, you miserable little punk! LAUGH! I can't hear you!"
Terry: "...Ha, ha." (Destroys the microchip with the joy buzzer).
Remember what Barbara Gordon said about how The Joker got the last laugh? Terry's final defiant "Ha, ha" meant that, in fact, _Batman_ got the last laugh.
This film has so many subtle nuances too, such as Jordan Price being played by Mark Hamill and having a similar head shape to Joker, really played into the red herring aspect, as well as the animation, whether you're a fan of Akira or not, the laser sequence is absolutely incredible, and it's crazy the original animator of that sequence took it upon himself to one up his own work is so cool
I'm sorry, but I prefer the uncut version of Joker's death. Not only is it more haunting to hear him says "that's not funny" and hearing what happened to his body, but it also made most sense why tim broke down afterwards.
In the end, Joker dies via electrocution anyway.
@@ewormXD Not in the uncut version
@@Anonomius0 Yes, in the uncut version too, that's my point. Terry uses electricity to fry the chip that lets Joker "live" in Tim's body.
The uncut version is the best overall version but the death in the censored version is a bit more emotionally chilling.
That moment where Terry taunted Joker was the moment he became one of my favorites to be Batman.
My jaw was on the floor when I saw it. I was like "He's making fun of him! And its working!" Wonderful scene with excellent top tier voice acting from Hamill and Friedle.
R.i.P. kevin Conroy.😢
Terry laughing while fighting Joker still gives me chills to this day.
One of my favorite lines from the movie was, " Oh, what the heck I'll laugh anyways hahahahahahahahaha"
Its iconic 😂
This movie was my first introduction to Batman beyond and Batman the animated series itself, and the first scene I saw was the flashback to how Joker died, and I just wanted to watch more of this amazing animated universe
One thing that I really loved but you did not mention is how Terry turned the tables on Joker. He starts to fight dirty. He starts to REALLY taunt the Joker and not just with some sparky quips. He throes the Joker off by being something HE wasn't expecting and reminding Joker he isn't the same batman that the Joker used to play games with. He then starts to assess the jokers' behavior over all those years. He questions why he obsessed so much over bats and states the goal must have been yo make Batman laugh. He wanted to make Bruce stoop to his level at least once. Break the stoic demeanor and give in to the madness on his level but Bats never would. Terry finally pushes things over the edge by saying he will laugh but not for the joker..just at him. He starts to cackle at the clown from the shadows driving him into a full on rage. THIS felt like a true passing of the torch to me. The psychology and tactics Terry used were very in line with the origional batman but it a direction Bruce would never take. Terry always came off a a balanced fusion of Batman and Nightwing to me. A happy middle ground between the two that was just what was needed for the evolving crimes cape of Gothem. I felt this scene explemplified that. It also proved the Joker was no longer valid in this Gothem. He tried to break the bat but couldnt and now there was one so different from the prior tat he couldnt be broken in the same way. Jokers time was over and a batman he couldn't even compete with had taken over. Even if he was bluffing or dead wrong on the Joker'smotivations, it didn't matter. He knew what buttons to push to get Mr. J . off his game and that was the point. He did the one thing Bruce never could or perhaps just would. He truely got into Joker's head and switched the roles to put an end to his shenanigans once and for all.
Awesome! You only touched upon it but you did mention this a little at the end.
I showed this movie to my friend who had never seen Batman Beyond.
He said it was amazing.
Terry should have gotten his own game series in the style of the Arkham games ;)
I agree
Way overdue, but it will probably never happen
I haven't played any of the Arkham games, but I would definitely play a Batman Beyond game in the style of the Arkham games.
@@matthewmuir8884 Play them. Play them immediately. In this order: Asylum, City, Origins, and Knight.
@@matthewmuir8884 We were supposed to get one with Damien instead of Terry, but instead we got Kill The Justice Leauge
This film had some of my favorite Joker quotes of all time. "Oh what the heck, I'll laugh anyway!!"
I think killing Joker by shooting is better cause it makes the feelings mixed rather than just one gasp from electricution. If jolt death would stay, we'd think only about Joker: "Wow, slipping and dying by accident. Truly hilariously genius" (i think Doug brought it up too). But with shot we get: A) come on, that last line is awesome. Unexpected and tone-changing; B) we get a catarsis: finally, Joker is dead; B2) and sudden mystery: but if he's dead, who is in future; C) Tim's emotional breakdown as audience is relieved knowing that there's still hope and sad because we know that is his end as Robin. He commited a murder. He broke Bat-family rule. There's no future for him as hero and Bruce's successor. Joker in the end won - Bruce lost his another son. For me it's more compelling.
I do have to agree with Walter, this movie was my introduction to Batman Beyond and it made me want to watch the actual series. It's sad to know all of the behind the scenes stuff that was going on and the delays, but I still say they did an amazing job.
I was a bit surprised, and glad, that they included Terry in the newest JL movie Crisis on Infinite Earths. They even have the same voice actor, which makes it even better. I really wanna see him have his own movie, though, which would be the best.
I prefer the electrocution of the Joker better than the uncut version.
This movie is awesome! And Mark Hamill's performance is still amazing!
Thank you for at least mentioning the final fight between Terry and The Joker. I feel like that was a huge moment for Terry’s character and most overlook it.
My favorite DCAU movie.
But I always felt like if it was given just a little more time, budget, and less interference it could’ve been even better. And after you giving some backstory I think I was right
his is one of my favorite Batman Movies, hands down. I remember watching this for the first time and being absolutely disturbed by the flashback scene. I prefer the uncut version, because there is something about seeing joker just straight up shot like that, and the feeling the sudden shock of it, being a bit more powerful and raw then him getting electrocuted off screen. I would see something like that breaking Tim mentally and emotionally than the censored version.
It still Amaze's me that Batman Beyond has had so much trouble getting a modern day interpretation.
No Video Games. No Live Action/Animated Movies. No series continuation. Nothing.
Yeah I know the comics are a thing, but you can say that about alot of series.
I think the uncut death of joker is so much better! It makes it more raw and you believe how messed up Tim Drake would have been because of it.
Never watch the 2nd version of a movie first, it is nearly never as good.
Definitely the best DCAU movie ever
Such a good movie. Batman Beyond doesn't get enough praise. The fact that there wasn't a grand finale to the series is actually why the JL shows always had a grand finale. They swore they wouldn't make that mistake again.
Also, the fact that Joker thought of Terry as a nonfactor is part of why he lost. He dismissed him at every opportunity. "Batfake." Which makes the fact that -Terry- Batman broke him at the end, so much more satisfying.
Whenever I think of how you write joker, hell how joker should talk in just one line, I go to this movie.
Specifically the speech where he reveals to Batman he knows everything. Just everything from the dialogue, to the sick comedy, and most especially mark hamil’s performance is how I judge any other version of the character
When I saw the version we got as a kid, I didn't even know there were other versions of this movie. And for me, I think the death scene of the Joker where he is shocked to death is more impactful.
_"What if Ian Holm had played Bishop in ALIENS?"_
When you think about it, its not THE Joker, its just a clone who thinks he is, more or less.
I get why people like the cencored Joker death. In a lot of ways, it's ironic.
But I prefer the uncut version because it really confirms that the Joker's dead...I mean we see the body...it builds with the mystery instead of the censored version where viewers would say, "Oh yeah He might have survived that."
And like in BTAS, when there were so many fake outs with the Jokers "demise" only for him to reappear a couple of episodes later. BB-ROTJ uncensored confirms that this isn't a fake out. He's really dead.
Yes, the censored version show more of Tim fighting back. But I enjoy the idea that in the uncut version, he managed to think clearly for a split second before he was swallowed up by Jokers' influence. He wasn't sure how long that second would last, so he took the shot.
Regardless, I absolutely LOVE this movie!!
Also, the uncut version of The Joker's death mirrors how The Joker kills Bonk, foreshadowing that The Joker is possessing Tim Drake.
@matthewmuir8884, right, you are, sir! Another great detail!!
Terry: He's tough. Any suggestions boss?
Bruce: Joker's vain, and likes to talk. He'll try to distract you, but don't listen. Just power on through.
Terry: Wait. I like to talk too.
Great film!! One of my favorite Batman movies! Thank god for HBO because that’s how I first watched it & in its original cut!!
15:30 I suspect it's not a coincidence that Joker's last words in the Arkham City game are the opposite of his last words here.
ROTJ: "That's not funny...that's not..."
AC: "Actually, that IS...pretty funny..."
While the uncensored version of J's death hits just right, the censored version works too.
This movie brought me to the batman beyond show
The AMAZING Kenny Wayne Shepherd also plays guitar on the end credits theme.
I distinctly remember the opening credits to this movie were the first time I realized that Luke Skywalker played The Joker.
I remember finding out only a couple years ago that the VHS my parents had was the censored version. I think honestly the censored death of Joker is more brutal anyway
I love this film just as much as Mask of the Phantasm. Terry is a great character, what happens to Tim always gets me choked up, and how Joker meets his end in the censored version is better than the uncut one in my opinion.
my favourite part of this movie is Terry laughing and making one-liners at Joker (even calling his grudge laughably pathetic) all the while Joker is proclaiming that Terry is not Batman, Terry is his own kind of Batman much how Miles Morales is his own kind of Spider-Man.
The unedited version is tops...it destroyed the true small knit Bat Family. Both because Tim Drake, clinging to sanity had no choice but to kill Joker (or Bruce), violating the no gun Rule...but also because of all the times Batman could have stopped Joker from so going over the edge torturing the innocent Tim Drake. You did leave out one great piece of story though...Ace the Bat-Hound! What a good boy!
I always thought Joker's line when showing Bruce the film reel was "Oh, what the hell! I'll laugh anyway!" but everyone I talk to about this movie says it was "What the heck" and I don't know if I'm misremembering or if it was part of the uncut version.
I think the difference in the scenes of the Joker's demise are just telling 2 different stories. The censored version shows Tim was still Robin under there, that even though the joker brutalized him, he could come back. The uncut scene shows just how far and how dark the Joker pushed him, as Tim, like Bruce would never resort to killing. But, because of the Joker's influence, Tim went somewhere he could NEVER come back from. And this was more impact full on Bruce too, as he saw how far gone the closest thing he had to a son was. Both did their job, but told different stories.
With the cut death, having it actually SHOW him get electrocuted and then mirroring it with Terry shocking the chip and killing him in the same way with the same visual of his face while he's getting electrocuted would've felt better.
Also anyone else want to talk about how good the Joker Red Herring with Pryce was? He was drawn to look almost exactly like him and he was voiced by Mark Hamill.
I can attest that this movie holds up and is easy to follow even without watching the series. I initially rejected the idea of Batman Beyond... until I watched this movie. The beautifully brutal backstory for what they did to Tim will always stay with me, and I remember thinking, "Wow, this Terry kid is screwing with the Joker's head. Maybe I'll give this a shot." I was instantly hooked.
I like the gunshot death better than the electrocuted scene as it gives more into the clown aspect. With the gun, it’s like either Tim's love for Batman was strong enough to shift his aim or that J.J was so twisted that he did the unexpected thing just as Joker would. Was he crying cause he killed someone like Joker would or cause he failed as Batman's son. It shows that Batman will always be a part of Tim and now, so will the Joker, so is he Robin or J.J?
Terry's fight with joker is hands down my favorite piece of batman content and one of my favorite pieces of animation.
Then there's Kevin Conroy's most intimidating-straight up terrifying line delivery was in this. "I'll break you in two." When I hear him say those lines, to me that's just him subtly saying "This time I'm breaking my rule just to kill you."
Am I the only one who didn't buy Batman not ripping Joker a new one after all that? The whole thing of beating and torturing the kid and bringing up everything that made Batman Batman and mocking it after years and years of fighting Joker and trying to save Harley from him and all of it just led to that, I just can't picture Batman not breaking him hard, I mean I can see him not killing him but I just don't see how Batman even was talking at that point.
The alternate death is beautifully animated, ill give it that. A little too convenient for my tastes. I like the half second decision to shoot much more. Thats how close Batman was to losing everything.
Adding the breaking of the no killing rule, the guilt of directly killing, and the question of how much of the Jokers mind was behind that shot.
This is my favorite Batman movie. Batman Beyond doesn't get enough love. I love Terry.
15:41 I think the uncut version shows how horribly tortured Tim had been & maximum amount of resistance he could will was to tilt the gun a few degrees
I agree on the alternative Joker death, the electrocution just feels darker and blood chilling. Which honestly speaking, that fits with the Joker seen here in the film, he had funny menace in the show but here? The monster behind the smile was out to play and that deserved something a bit more "Leave it to your mind to fill in the blank" as it leaves him feeling as more a monster then a man. Though I will give the gun one a nod of respect, as its another significant moment in Batman's life involving one. Also I do like having Harley survive and it being unspoken that she got her life back together and is now firmly against her family getting involved in super crime
Man, the uncut version of this film especially Our Family Memories had always stayed with. Legitimately disturbing.