elvisdo's Full Review: Batman: The Animated Series - Vol. 2
Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie''s plot.
Kevin Conroy is Batman.
Who?
Christian Bale may convince the world that he deserves the latest mantle of the bat through his stellar performance in Batman Begins, but it's Kevin Conroy who, time after time, has proven he is the true spirit of Batman. When Batman: The Animated Series first aired, Conroy's deep baritone voice has been etched in the minds of fans as being the definitive Batman—animated or otherwise. It's a testament to his acting ability that he is the longest reigning “Batman” playing this character since 1992, and currently can be seen on Cartoon Network's Justice League Unlimited.
Warner Brothers has released Batman: The Animated Series, Volume 2 showcasing the continuing adventures of The Dark Knight in this 4-disk DVD set. Like its predecessor, this boxed set shows another 28 episodes of the fabled series. I'm glad that Warner Brothers finally wised up and started releasing this long-awaited series in quality, boxed sets instead of dragging out these episodes at a sluggish pace of four at a time. Either way, they sure know how to squeeze blood from a stone.
And The Bat-Adventures Continue…
It's hard to siphon through 60-plus years of history, translating the comic book medium to fit for television, and taking the best parts of it to create some spellbinding stories, but this series shows that success.
Robin's origin has always paralleled Batman's as both their parents have been murdered in front of them. The Emmy-winning “Robin's Reckoning” deals with this and the emotional trauma that stems from it, especially when Robin finally has a chance to catch up to his parents' killer after so many years of elusive escape. This two-part episode clearly shows the budding relationship and understanding between these two tragic figures.
Bruce Wayne: I know it must be very difficult.
Dick Grayson: If only I could have stopped him! I saw him coming out of the tent! I knew he didn't belong there!
Bruce Wayne: I know. You keep thinking, If only I had done something differently. If only I could have... warned them. But there isn't anything you could have done. There isn't anything either of us could have done.
Dick Grayson: Your mom and dad? Does the hurt ever go away?
Bruce Wayne: I wish I could say yes. But it will get better in time. For you. That I promise.
Talia (voiced by Helen Slater of Supergirl fame) makes her animated debut in “Off Balance”. Who is Talia? Besides calling herself Batman's "beloved", she is the daughter of The Demon's Head—Ra's al Ghul (voiced by Tron's David Warner), who also makes a brief, shadowy debut.
Another Bat-Villain makes his first appearance in ”If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?” as the Riddler (voiced by John Glover who plays Lionel Luthor on TV's Smallville) matches his wits against Batman.
“Night of the Ninja” and “Day of the Samurai” delves a bit into Bruce Wayne's past and his martial arts training. And there is “Zatanna”, an episode that not only reveals more into Bruce Wayne's past but brings another hero from the pages of DC Comics to the small screen—the Mistress of Magic herself, Zatanna (voiced by Julie Brown). We learn in this episode that her father Zatara had a hand in Bruce's training as an escape artist.
One of my favourite episodes involves five villains—the Joker, Two-Face, Poison Ivy, the Penguin, and Killer Croc—playing poker while having a discussion on who came the closest in killing Batman in “Almost Got 'Im”. The banter between all of them is priceless.
The Joker: He sure gets around for one guy.
Two-Face: Yeah, well that's where you're wrong. I don't think it is one guy.
Killer Croc: Huh?
Two-Face: The way I figure it, Gordon's got a bunch of 'em stashed someplace like a S.W.A.T. team. He wants you to think it's one guy, but...
The Joker: Ah, you're always seeing double.
The Penguin: It's obvious our cowled friend suffered some crime-related trauma when he was younger. Perhaps an over-anxious mugger blew off a piece of his face.
The Joker: Sure, he could be all gross and disgusting under that mask! Uh, no offense, Harv.
Two-Face: Just deal.
Killer Croc: Well, you know what I think?
The Joker: Not the robot theory again.
Killer Croc: Well, he could be.
Giving Life To The Denizens of Gotham City
The creators of the animated series really did their homework to create the world of Batman by capturing the pure essence of Bob Kane's creation. This is perhaps one of the last hand-painted, animated shows ever that captures the pure “Dark Deco” of this series. The writers really put a lot of thought in crafting such superb stories that have defined who these characters are and how they are portrayed. Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, and Bruce Timm have brought a subtle nuance to this series that has allowed both children and adults to enjoy these shows without dumbing down the content. Each 30-minute episode feels like a movie. It's amazing how much is crammed in such a short space of time and yet, in the end, it's still satisfying.
The voice actors continue to excel in their roles. Aside from Conroy, who I will state again is the Batman, Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker from the first Star Wars trilogy) rivals him as the Joker. I can't picture another actor coming close to Hamill's brilliant performance. Other stellar actors include Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. as Alfred Pennyworth, Adrienne Barbeau as Catwoman, Richard Moll as Two-Face, and Arlene Sorkin as Harley Quinn (one of the best characters created solely for the animated series).
The animation may be old compared to today's computer-generated fanfare but I believe it still holds up, as does its inspiration—the old Fleischer's Superman cartoon from the 1940s.
Every 10 years or so, someone will reinterpret Batman and update him for the present time. That's the versatility of the character and the only way he has managed to survive over 60 years. Still, this version of Batman is probably going to rank at the top of the list, and rightfully so.
Disc 1:
Eternal Youth
Perchance To Dream
The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy
Robin's Reckoning Part One
Robin's Reckoning Part Two
The Laughing Fish
Night of the Ninja
Disc 2:
Cat Scratch Fever
The Strange Secret of Bruce Wayne
Heart of Steel Part One
Heart of Steel Part Two
If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?
Joker's Wild
Tyger, Tyger
Disc 3:
Moon of the Wolf
Day of the Samurai
Terror in the Sky
Almost Got 'Im
Birds of a Feather
What Is Reality?
I Am The Night
Disc 4:
Off Balance
The Man Who Killed Batman
Mudslide
Paging The Crime Doctor
Zatanna
The Mechanic
Harley & Ivy
Also included:
• Commentary on “Robin's Reckoning, Heart of Steel, Almost Got 'Im, and Harley & Ivy.
• Featurettes:
— “Robin Rising”: the evolution of the character in the series
— “Gotham's Guardians”: a look at the supporting cast
— “Voices of the Knight”: a look at the voices behind the characters
The legendary caped crusader is back in the Emmy Award-winning BATMAN THE ANIMATED SERIES. During the day mild-mannered millionaire Bruce Wayne seems ...More at Family Video
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