Jon Peters Reviews: “Batman: Gotham Knight DVD”

The Film:

This is the type of animation I wish we would see more of. While it might be debatable which comic house, Marvel or DC, produce better live-action films on their characters, there’s no debate on who owns the animated world. DC and Warner have been creating a steady stream of entertaining shows since the early 90s, with ‘Batman: The Animated Series’, ‘Superman’, and ‘Justice League’. Recently, DC/WB have been creating PG-13 level of animated movies, first with Superman in ‘Superman: Doomsday’ (reviewed here on Killer Film) and ‘Justice League: New Frontier’. Now it’s the Bat’s turn.

‘Batman: Gotham Knight’ is a collection of six short films, in which interlock with each other, all the while being separate films. Remember ‘The Animatrix’, a collection of 12 stories dealing with or about the ‘Matrix’ world? This is similar but shorter and a little less satisfying. That’s not to say this collection isn’t without its merits. Each short deals with Batman in different angles, all the while tackling themes that were introduced in ‘Batman Begins’ and in a way being a prequel to ‘The Dark Knight’.

The first short, ‘Have I Got a Story for You’, deals with some kids who randomly happening to see the Batman in action and their interpretations of him. Initially, this might be the least favorite due to Batman being a secondary character, but it’s ideal if you think this episode happens shortly after ‘Batman Begins’. We know who the Batman is and why, but taking a look through the citizens of Gotham, it’s an idea of interest and a different angle rarely explored. All areas of the Batman are explored; his gadgetry, his myth-is he or isn’t he a man; the nature of his existence within these people’s lives. Batman himself is seen differently with each character’s take on him; one says he moves within the shadows, so we see him as a shadow-like phantom, the other’s mirror examples like that.

The other shorts are as experimental like that one but equally as interesting. My personal favorite is ‘In Darkness Dwells’ written by David Goyer (’Dark City’, ‘Batman Begins’). Here the animation is gritty and more stylized like a typical anime film, but it also features a more linear and traditional approach to the story-telling. Batman is on the hunt within the sewers of Gotham where a rumored Alligator man lurks as well as the Scarecrow’s new hiding place. ‘Crossfire’ features the gangs at war with each other but also some division amongst the ranks at Gotham City Police. Some feel the Batman is helping while others feel a vigilante is a criminal too. This short explores more into Lt. Gordon’s growing trust in Batman. The story is a little uneventful but the animation is superb.

I feel as if the potential of a project like this was almost reached. There’s just something missing within these six stories and I wonder if they were more individual and separate from each other if they would’ve been better. I’m not saying any of these are bad, as ‘Deadshot’ is one of this set’s best, along with the fore mentioned ‘In Darkness Dwells’, but if they were going to do a feature, why not just make one cohesive narrative that still tackles what each short explores, but by having it individualized like this kind of ruins the narrative flow. Perhaps have ‘Deadshot’ as the main plot but incorporate the others within. You would’ve still have had all of the themes, but also a more satisfying tale. Regardless, this set should be seen, as it’s not a complete failure. It’s quite good really; I guess I just had higher expectations.

The DVD:

Audio/Video: The audio is quite fine; a 5.1 mix fills the speakers nicely, although it’s not as bombastic as, say, ‘Batman Begins’ is. The video is fine, but it too, varies with each short. Some added some gain to give the segment some grittiness, but it doesn’t translate that well. The Blu Ray version doesn’t correct this, but it’s not a flaw in the mastering, just an artistic aesthetic that should be noted.

Extras: This is a review of the 2-disc set, one that comes highly recommended.

Disc 1 features an audio commentary with DC’s Senior Vice President, some of DC’s creative team, and the voice of Batman, Kevin Conroy. This track doesn’t go into much of the film’s creation, rather just some comic friends discussing rather unrelated subjects. It’s a decent listen, nothing you’d be missing out on, though.

Also, Disc 1 features a new DC/WB animated film preview of ‘Wonder Woman’. I was impressed at the level of detail they cover within 11 minutes. Features some of the talent talking about the project, some of DC’s writers talking about Wonder Woman as an icon and such, it’ worth a look.

Disc 2 features ‘A Mirror for the Bat’ documentary running a little over 30 minutes detailing each villain in Batman’s rogue gallery (sans a few though) and why they are perfect foils for the Dark Knight. It’s decent but a true blue Batman fan will already know much of this.

‘Batman and Me’ is a documentary worthy of buying this 2-disc set as it features a rather detailed look at Bob Kane, the man who created Batman. Featuring interviews with Stan Lee, some of Batman’s original artists, Kane’s biographer and more interestingly are the archival footage of Kane; this documentary feels complete and thorough even at 31 minutes. If you own the majority of Batman films on DVD, this extra will feel like a nice addition to have. Wait until you see who Vickie Vale is modeled after!

Bruce Timm also has selected four episodes from the great ‘Batman: The Animated Series’. Each is great, although they didn’t re-master the video but are nice addition to this great set.