Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Batman Vs. Dracula (2005) Directed by Michael Goguen Created by Bob Kane.

The Joker: Joker's back from the grave!
The Penguin: Yeah, a lot of that going around.

This is a movie length addition to the latest The Batman cartoon adaptation.  As such, it is a kid's movie, in theory.  Despite this, it manages to rise above some of the limitations of the genre, and not treat kids like they are brain dead adults.

In Arkham Asylum an inmate is trying to break out by enlisting the Penguin's help.  He has millions stashed from a robbery in the Gotham Cemetery, and is willing to share.  He wants Penguin's help because he has escaped from Arkham almost as many times as the other person he approached; The Joker.  They are interrupted in their discussion by the blare of alarms; the Joker has escaped.  Again.

Losing no time, Penguin also flies the coop.  And with Batman chasing the Joker, he gets to the graveyard first.  However, the crypt he chooses to start his search contains not treasure, but Dracula, Lord of all Vampires!  Oswald Cobblepot finds himself the Undead's daytime guardian, compelled by Dracula's hypnosis.  Meanwhile, the cemetery guard becomes Dracula's first meal, and first minion.

Bruce Wayne in the meantime is diverted by two things; the renewable energy expo he is hosting at Wayne Manor, and by reporter Vicky Vale.  A compelling distraction, Vicky has already suffered many bat induced broken dates, and Bruce does not want to lose her.  But as more and more citizens of Gotham go mysteriously missing, the Batman is needed.  And there are the Joker and Penguin to consider.  Batman catches up with the Joker, but rather than be captured, he takes a dive off the dam into the water below.  That is dangerous enough, but when wearing two high amp joy buzzers...Batman fears he has seen the last of the Clown prince of crime.

Not so.  Joker is back from the dead and still intent on that treasure in the graveyard.  Nor is he going to let Penguin scare him away from his just rewards.  Thinking Dracula's coffin is the treasure chest he pries it open, with predictable results.  As Penguins says, "Breakfast in bed....freshly squeezed."

Now Batman has two problems; Dr. Alucard, who seems to have an unhealthy fascination with the Batman and an unsettling one with Vicky Vale, and the vampire enhanced Joker.  Will he get out of this alive?

This incarnation of the Batman took the highly successful Batman: The Animated series from the nineties and tried to update it.  While the former drew its inspiration from the Gothic/art deco world of Tim Burton's Batman movies, this version seems to have drawn on the disastrous Batman Forever, with dayglow colours, and a softer gentler Batman.  Also, there is no way to address this issue, but to say the art stinks.  Heavily manga inspired but with "urban" influence, the art is fugly. The facial portraiture of Bruce Wayne looks deformed.  I am sorry, but if the first thing to enter the room is the bridge of your nose at the point between your eyebrows, you are not Batman, you are the Elephant Man.

Most other aspects of the movie are better; the score, the dialogue.  The only other complaint I have is some of the necessary squeezing of the comic legend to fit the vampire legend.  Have you ever noticed how Dracula only seems to be sexually attracted to the girl friend of his arch rivals?

On the plus side, they definitely have a gift for suggesting gore without indulging in it.  When the cater waiter is attacked by Dracula, rather than focus on the attack and gouting blood, instead, they watch the falling bottle of wine shatter in a crimson spatter.  Nice touch and indicative of the overall piece.

So, what this boils down to is a fine effort from a poor series.  Still, as a standalone, it's not bad, and will definitely entertain the kiddies, without driving the parents nuts with the twentieth viewing.

This is entered into Elvisdo's Funny Pages Write Off, and Captain D's Good Movies Write Off.


Bloodletting on Film and Page.  Vampires.

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Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8