The world was first introduced to a Batman that was dark and gritty, one only known to those familiar with the comics, in 1989, when Tim Burton was released of his directorial duties as he and the studio could not agree upon the fresh interpretation that was to be presented in the movies. After a short hiatus and the property of Superman opening up, allowing the use of the man from Krypton in a Batman related movie, Batman found it's new director and story.
The Dark Knight Returns
Created by Frank Miller, this interpretation would propel the Batman saga by beginning with the end, and be brought to us in 2 parts: part 1 would come in 1989 and part 2, the following year.
Following a break, as to not overwhelm the audience, and leave us craving more, the next movie, titled, The Dark Knight
Staged as the Year One experience, would be released in 1993.
Number 3, Prey
Released in 1995, introduces more heroes a villains and studies the Batman as he struggles with his path.
The 4th installment, Shadow of the Bat, in 1997, preceding The Ace of Knaves,
Chills us to the core with death and betrayal.
Brought to you before the turn of the century, in 1999, is the final chapter of Gotham's infamous vigilante.
Ace of Knaves
Batman has been active for 14 long years. He and Grayson, aka Nightwing, have gone there separate ways with Nightwing residing in Blüdhaven, but maintain a working relationship as expected. The opening scene sees Grayson walking with a bag of groceries. As he gets close enough, he witnesses 2 'tough guys' bullying an elderly man for a shakedown. He flashes his badge, showing that he is a Blüdhaven police officer, scurrying them away. When he walks up the stoup to his apartment, he is greeted by the warm embrace of a red head with thick-rimmed glasses.
"Whoa Babs, why so excited?"
"Because today's the day we finally tell Uncle Jim and Bruce about us. And I get to meet the billionaire playboy, Bruce Wayne. So if things don't work out between you and I, there's always that cosy little mansion and those big ol' arms of America's number one bachelor I can rest comfortably in ;)."
The scene flips to Commissioner Gordon sitting nervously and sipping a glass of whiskey. In walks Sarah
"God, look at yourself, Jim. You've been faced with things a lot scarier than your niece introducing you to her fiancé."
"Yeah, but I can't lock this guy up and throw away the key if he's not right for Barbara. I mean, they've been together for over 2 years. What the hell is he hiding from."
"He's a cop, honey. We know better than anyone that those are some unforgiving hours. And he's probably intimidated. You're more than her uncle. You became more than that when your brother was killed in action 12 years ago. On top of that, you were a huge part in taking down Gotham's underbelly and no other cop on earth, that I know of, has a dozen arch-nemeses, nevermind one. Unless he's Batman, this kid is going to be overwhelmed by you."
The scene cuts to Bruce Wayne who's training and Alfred
"Need I remind you of your dinner plans with Dick and his fiancé tonight?"
"I didn't forget, Alfred. But he knows it's got to be over with by 6:30; that's when I'm hitting the streets tonight. He knows that. I've got to get the edge up on this new Gang and with him playing house tonight I'm shy one man. I've got everyone spread thin as it is. I've even pulled Green Arrow and Black Canary from Star City tonight. Catwoman has the lower Eastside, Wildcat, the lower west, Arrow and Canary are covering the northern parts and I needed Nightwing to take the east while I covered the west."
"Sir, at least consider that this is a huge step in both his relationship with her as well as his relationship with you."
"I did, Alfred, but the Royal Flush Gang didn't."
The Royal Flush Gang (RFG) breaks into the Iceberg Lounge, where the wealthiest of Gotham hang out, and find themselves screaming that they (the rich) are no better then the criminals they lock away to rot. They sit there lavishly overspending and flaunting their wealth, taking all of it for granted while the poor scurry through their garbage like rats blah blah blah rant rant rant.
"How dare you sit here, above the rest of Gotham's hard-working, real Gothamites, and pretend you are better then even the likes of Firefly, The Mad Hatter and Calendar Man. Now, our sources tell us that, tonight, we have some special guests here and, as much as all of you deserve a painfully slow death, we are here to see Lex Luthor, Simon Stagg and the man of the hour, the brains behind this fake haven, this, the most corrupted building in Gotham and, even though we all know it, we pretend not to because of you, Mr Oswald "the penguin" Cobblepot."
The King stabs peguin but let's him live so that he may one day change his ways. The Queen shoots Luthor in the shoulder/chest area and let's him live for the same reason. Jack throws stag into the polar bear sanctuary to die.
"Stagg has no regard for life (Element Man reference) and therefor the Royal Flush Gang has no regard for his."
Led by Gordon, the GCPD enter and arrest the gang and send them to Blackgate Penitentiary. When Dick arrives, Alfred is burdened with reporting the news that Bruce received intel that the RFG was going to ransack Ace Chemicals and he had to leave 20 minutes ago, but he left a note for Dick
"I am very happy for both you and Barbara."
Dick is pretty annoyed, but not surprised Batman had deduced her identity.
"Well Alfred, at least he cared enough to find out :). The commissioner called with an emergency too, and canceled. I guess it's just the 3 of us Alfred."
3 nights later, Dick and Barbara meet with a relieved (knowing Dick) Gordon and Sarah until the night is cut short by the GCPD to Gordon. Grayson, as well excuses himself in order to prowl the Gotham streets as Nightwing. Within weeks the gang breaks out, terrorizing the rich, which sends the socialist economy into a tale spin, and the heaviest amount of money is put into finding the gang; every cop, to include Batman, as he does not want the RFG searching for him. The risk that they will dig too deep and find out his alias is too great. Meanwhile, along with the threat of the RFG, there are reports of petty criminals all across the country that have emerged in honor of the Joker who hasn't been heard from or seen for a record breaking 194 (a play on 1940, his 1st appearance) days
Prankster
Toyman
Trickster
Punch and Jewelee
I could write about this for days but, in the end, the rest of the plot outlines as follows: With everyone and their mother out to get the RFG, it leaves the Joker some leg room to carry out the final touches of his methodical plan. Turns out, Joker is the man behind the RFG, pulling the strings in order to fulfill his nightmarish plan. Never did they, or he, care about that whole 'rich and poor' thing. It was all a distraction leading to one really bad day for his enemies.
Back in Blüdhaven, Babs is home, yet again, alone, while Officer Grayson clocks out and Nightwing clocks in. Deathstroke faces off with Nightwing, boasting about how much better he is than Nightwing. In the end, he delivers an unconscious Nightwing and Barbara to the Joker's playground. Grundy is unleashed, hunting down Wildcat and Sarah Essen, returning his captives to the Clown Prince of Crime. As Cheetah struggles not to kill Catwoman, she drags her captive in, nearly dead. Cheshire and Deadshot square off against Green Arrow and Black Canary.
In the end, the evil duo proves better, this time, then the heroes. Leading Gordon into a trap, he and 4 of his finest officers square off against Croc. If Gordon or the others survive, Joker will let him choose which one of his loved ones live. If Gordon dies, then so to do his loved ones. Croc fills his bloodlust by shredding the 4 cops before Gordon prevails, killing the ferocious villain.
The Joker taunts Gordon with the lives of Babs Sarah and the (reveal) daughter of his ex-partner, Black Canary, over his head.
Meanwhile, Batman finds himself pit against Cheshire, Cheetah and Deadshot. Deathstroke ops not to fight as he feels confident he is better then Batman and would only fight him in a fair fight. Batman crawls away the victor, using Cheshire's poison on the others before injecting them with an antidote, preventing their deaths, yet still holding the effects of the poison. Cheshire is momentarily distracted when she is shot with a red arrow (courtesy of a stranger that disappears into the shadows)
Batman is left with the choice of saving only one: Nightwing Catwoman Wildcat Green Arrow
The problem arises when Arrow demands that Gordon save Canary, Nightwing says nothing although we know he wishes that Gordon chooses Babs. Niether wants to go on with out their loved ones. Catwoman screams to Batman that Wildcat should live after Wildcat volunteers to die as he is the old war horse. Catwoman professes her love for the ex boxer. In Gordon's corner, Canary screams to Batman to let Arrow live. Sarah screams to Gordon to let Babs live. Babs screams to Gordon he deserves Sarah and it is his wife who should live.
Joker is hysterical and decides to up the anti by forcing Catwoman and Canary to fight to the death. Wildcat is the most upset. Arrow is able to get one arm free and tries harder than anything to get the other free. He twists and pulls on some chains until one seems jagged enough. We are then shown a glimpse of the future GA, readying himself to fire a Kryptonite arrow, reminding us that he lost an arm. Just as we are to believe he loses his arm through this action of severing it, he freezes as Catwoman kills Black Canary. No sound from GA. Wildcat cries.
Just short of on time, Batman swoops in and begins to beat the tar out of Joker. Gordon is able to free himself and, instead of freeing the captives, rushes to pull Batman off of Joker before he kills him. "This is what he wants. Don't give him this, Batman." Just as Gordon reaches Batman's moral side, Joker reaches for his gun, kills Nightwing and laughs and laughs and laughs. Batman commences and not even Gordon can stop him. To add to the crazy, GA escapes and dives into the pit to kill Catwoman.
From above, the Royal Flush Gang are delivered the hard way, falling atop each other in a pile. The drop is courtesy of Superman who descends and immediately pulls Batman off of Joker, knocking the Batman unconscious. Catwoman, in the pit, is fighting for her life against an infuriated Green Arrow. Superman directs his attention towards GA, teasing us by threatening to burn off GA's arm. This distracts GA long enough for Catwoman to create distance between herself and the emerald archer. Meanwhile, Gordon, on the ledge, undoes Wildcat and the 2 then undo Babs and Sarah. When GA regroups, his focus is, once again, on Catwoman. Wildcat leaps into the pit and attacks Joker.
Having had enough, Superman unleashes his might on the vigilantes. He clobbers WC and yanks GAs arm so aggressively, in order to stop him from punishing CW, he crushes the bones and muscle in his arm. The mass confusion of Superman trying to regain order is enough of a distraction for the Joker to climb out of the pit and knock Babs off of the ledge. Batman, not Superman, summons the strength, to save her. Taking in the carnage, Batman reaches into his belt, pulls out a Kryptonite rock and punches Superman out.
"I've been holding on to that for years Clark. I knew the day would come..."
Meanwhile, Gordon, safely, and abiding all laws, subdues Joker, never letting the anger get the best of him Several officers, all dressed as Guardian, come tumbling in and the lead speaks affirmatively into his sleeve saying
"Ms Waller, it is clear."
Waller walks in and urgently calls for medical attention for Superman. The Guardians carry him away. She informs Gordon that he is relieved of his position, effective immediately. She asserts that Batman, on the word of Superman, is being given one warning. If he wishes to continue his tirade as a one man army it is to do so as an enemy of the state and the government will be forced to take action. No longer will a masked vigilante act with out government consent. She tells her guardians to lock the Joker and the RFG in Belle Reeve and throw away the key.
"As for Deadshot, Slade, Cheetah and Cheshire, tell Flagg to find them and negotiate The terms of Project TFX."
The movie ends with the conversation from The Dark Knight Returns between Bruce and Alfred. Alfred to Wayne
"Sir, I do believe you sleep less now then when you trolled the nights as..."
"Don't say his name, Alfred, I retired that persona a long time ago"
"Sir, that was no persona, that was you. I can't say whether you did the right thing or not by hanging up the mask, but your actions for the 5 years prior to your retirement were dangerous to you and everyone around you."
"I was no more dangerous in those 5 years than I was the night I let that sociopath get away with... I swore an oath to my parents that I would never kill, but that night I was no better than him. It doesn't matter who killed who that night, Alfred, by not controlling the situation, I may as well have been the one killing. I lost control that night and I can admit, now, I've never gained it back."
"Sir, I will not let you speak like that again. It's been too long and I thought we healed those old wounds. What he did, no one could've stopped him. Why, all of a sudden, does it haunt you again? It's been 15 years."
"The crime rate is rising, like it used to be. It's got me thinking..."
THE END
Cast
Nick Nolte as Wildcat
Nolte defines gritty. As Wildcat he reflects an age of what Batman may become. The idea that he trains Catwoman is vital to the story. He is a featured a part of the Batfamily.
Alyssa Milano as Catwoman
The sultry 27 year old (may I remind you, she is now playing 34-35) has the look down pat and with the Amy Fisher movie, Poison Ivy and Melrose Place under her wing, she succeeded in expanding her resume by redefining herself as a serious actress and a sultry adult.
Tom Berenger as Commissioner
James Gordon The 49(playing 57) year old would nail the grim and gritty take if Gordon that kicks asses and takes names.
Frances McDormand as Sarah Essen
One of my best casting in this series. She optimizes Essen as physically as she does her ability to perform the hardened cop. It's hard not to hate her
Lance Henriksen as Alfred
You're just going to hate me for not picking a Brit for this and 3 things are worth considering: 1 is that it ain't the first time. 2 is that if we are ok with a Brit playing an American than this had better be accepted as well. 3 is that I am happy enough with picking a favorite of mine that I don't care too much ;). Henriksen is 59 (playing 65) and lines up nicely as the younger version of my TDKR Alfred.
Thomas Gibson as Batman
He has the good looks (Soap opera star) and the steely eyed stare of a hardened bad ass (Criminal Intent) to play Batman perfectly. His age will favor him as the years pass by in movie town but he only ages a few years i.e. in 1993 his true age is 31 and he plays a 26 year old and in 1995 he plays a 28 year old at the true age of 33. In 1997, at 35, he plays 35. In this, the finale, at 37, he will play 40.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Nightwing
At 19, Myers was nominated for best newcomer in his starring role in The Disappearance of Finbar. At 22, playing 23, Myers is, by far, the best actor to breathe life into the boy wonder turned young man. This is a huge role and Myers can bring it. He even looks (a bit) like a young Zegers.
Brad Pitt as Green Arrow
I'd like to point out that Pitt is an extremely talented actor from Interview to Kalifornia to Fight Club and that it was a bit complicated finding a a good looking blonde that would be believable as the older, drunker, darker Oliver Reed. In Pitt I found the perfect actor to compliment every bit needed.
Christina Applegate as Black Canary
This may be an odd choice if you're not familiar with her outside of her shtick, but I assure you the 28 year old charismatic actress is the dark horse cast in this series.
Amy Smart as Barbara 'Babs' Gordon
Smart was introduced to a wide audience by way of Varsity Blues. Her tough attitude mixed, perfectly, with her innocent appeal makes for the greatest interpretation of Babs that we would've ever been lucky enough to see.
Eric Stoltz as Joker
This may seem a bit odd but as Stoltz has won awards and turned heads for many a performance, I felt the mysterious nature of the actor, or specifically, his identity, was key. Under the make-up and immersed within the role, who Stolz is would be perplexing. He would be known as Joker not, say, Jack Nicholson. I hate hearing how Jack was a great Joker. It was Jack playing Jack. I hate hearing how great Depp was in... It was Depp acting as Depp. Eastwood as Eastwood and so on. I love all 3 of them (and I'm very surprised, by the way, that Depp was not our '89 Batman) but Stolz would become the Joker. Ledger did become Joker, but we all knew him whereas Stoltz would BE the Joker, not play him or own him. Joker would own Stoltz.
Ron Perlman as Deathstroke
He is 50. He IS 1999's only Deathstroke.
Guy Pearce as Deadshot
The 32 year old is a runaway favorite of mine for many roles. He could play psycho with a sense of arrogance that would have all of us grinning ear to ear every time he is on screen.
Milla Jovavich as Cheetah
So many different actresses, right away, flooded my imagination but I ended up going with the semi-popular action starlet. At 24, she's my Wonder Woman reference.
Gianna Jun as Cheshire
Jun is a mere 19 years old and won best new-comer in 1999. Perfect for when she is hit by the red arrow, hinting to her fans of her past with Green Arrow's sidekick.
CGI is the only way to go with Croc and Grundy
Rufus Sewell as King Anne Heche as Queen
With Jack, Ten and Ace
Also... Dustin Hoffman as Penguin
Ed Harris as Lex Luthor
John Voight as Simon Stag
Gloria Foster as Amanda Waller
Foster, better known as Oracle of Matrix fame, has that kind of commanding presence needed in an actress that, even if her screen time is less than Rhino's in ASM2, is going to present us with a live action Amanda Waller with respect to the character.
Dominic Purcell as Superman
Again, this is not our American icon. This is the man that will later become the government pawn that the haterade drinking Frank Miller gave us in TDKR. Miller, stewing in his Superman hate, created a version that turned our icon into a fool. I'm guessing Miller received a lot of wedgies from the cool kids in school. Either way, even though I love my Batman, I respect my Superman and would love to see (at least) Captain Atom (if not Major Force) as his replacement in any live action rendition of the Miller story. Even if I know it'd wouldn't go over even a little.
PS While scanning for pictures to use, i came across, what I feel, is a fantastic redesign of Bane that could've/should've been used in TDKRises. The only explanation I need is to point out the "venom" tubes which could easily have been pumping the pain narcotic into his blood stream rather than breathing it in...