MovieChat Forums > Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000) Discussion > Which Death is Better? Uncut or Censored...

Which Death is Better? Uncut or Censored?


I just saw this for the first time and mistakenly picked up the censored version. I just compared the deaths on YouTube and I kind of like aspects of both...I like that in the uncut version there is no ambiguity of Drake killing the Joker. However, in the censored version I like the visual of the Joker getting drenched in that liquid and then getting the evil look on his face.

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Well the Uncut one was too straight foward, but in a way it showed the Joker his ultimate fate and made him realize that he couldn't joke around any more, plus it was very dramatic for the Joker's demise. But the Censored one showed Drake stand up to the Joker despite the fear and ambiguity of his wrath and anger which broadens the reason for Drake's Trauma than the uncut one. I guess I have to settle with the Uncut.

However, I'm partially settled with Bonk's Censored death with Joker's gun dosing him with laughing gas as oppose to the Uncut BANG! sign spear/dart shooting straight into his heart death, because the Censored goes so well with Joker's dialogue when he says, "That's also how we did it in my day.", considering in the past he used smilex laughing gas a lot on his victims and we're all very familiar with his laughing gas method, but keep the part where he asks his gang if they were still with him with Bonk still dead on the table with a smile on his face and Joker asks him if he's still with him aswell, "Bonk?" "Oh right." "Dead!" then ask the Deedee's to dispose of Bonk's body.

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But the Censored one showed Drake stand up to the Joker despite the fear and ambiguity of his wrath and anger which broadens the reason for Drake's Trauma than the uncut one. I guess I have to settle with the Uncut.


Agreed. From a narrative perspective, the censored one fits best. Also, I liked Batman's little relieved smile when he sees Tim toss the gun away.

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Narratively, the uncensored one fits better. On top of what Joker did to him, Tim is feeling the guilt of having intentionally killed someone as a child. With a gun. This makes a much stronger reason for his falling out with Batman.

Straightedge means I'm better than you.

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I thought about that a while back, but I think what I prefer about the editted version was that despite all of the torture and horror that the Joker subjected Tim to, he still had the will to toss the gun away and managed to cling to some semblance of himself. He was indirectly responsible for the Joker's death still, but he showed some great strength in that scene. It just seemed like a nice touch to me.

Also, maybe it's just me, but I think the electrocution is more gruesome than just being shot.

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I do find the censored version more gruesome than the uncensored one. Joker's scream is chilling.

But I find Tim's actions in the uncensored version more satisfying for the story. He directly murders the Joker. Something Batman never did. It gives Tim's story a stronger sense of tragedy than the Joker stumbling in some water.

Straightedge means I'm better than you.

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That's an interesting take.

It's cool because both versions are quite different, but they each have some intriguing implications in how the events affect Tim and his overall arc in the film.

I also love how even the editted version is incredibly dark and morbid in its own way as well, Dini and Timm did a great job there. It reminds me of some of the other stuff they 'censored' in BTAS like Batgirl falling off the building in "Over the Edge".

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Absolutely. I love how they're able to make the censored versions as, if not more, horrific than the uncensored versions. Another is the death of Robin's parents.

Straightedge means I'm better than you.

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I preferred the uncut version's death scene. His death was a lot more comical and darkly humorous, which suited Joker more than just slipping in some water and clumsily pulling on a lever.
I liked his sendoff in the uncut version much better. "That's not funny." LOL.

__________
Welcome to the middle of nowhere--the center of everywhere.

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I like the death where joker is shot, rather than electrocuted, because it is just more dramatic and personal.

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I agree, I like both.

Having Tim Drake pull the trigger and intentionally kill the Joker is really powerful and adds a whole other level to the Joker's deed. The Joker's whole career is based on making Batman kill him (which Batman will never do), so for Tim Drake to get broken by the Joker in this way while Drake's still a child is some heavy psychological sh!t.

However, the censored version is still fine with me. That way, no matter what the Joker did to Drake and the hell he put Drake through, he still couldn't break the kid. Then Drake tries to save Batman instead of the other way around, and the Joker accidentally ends up killing himself.

I'm just glad that having either ending doesn't really change the movie or the characters in any way.

Can't be too careful with all those weirdos running around.

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I'm just glad that having either ending doesn't really change the movie or the characters in any way.


Well, sure they do. As you pointed out. In the uncensored death, Tim was broken. He became a murderer as a child. That is very heavy and does change the character a lot.

Let's be bad guys.

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I like both versions. My mood decides on which one I re-watch from time to time. The raw brutality of the shooting is very effective as are Mark Hamill's incredibly squirm-inducing screams during the electrocution. Both of Bonk's deaths are cool in their own ways too. Hmmm. I'm going to have to go watch both of them now.

I'm reminded of Rasputin's words when he said "Wow those pastries gave me indigestion!"

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Uncut

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