Batman Gotham Knight (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) Reviews

• The Dark Knight Returns!

  
  By ADH5E2OE07PAQ on 2008-06-28
  Batman returns to animation in near perfect form. Batman-Gotham Knight is the darkest portrayal of the Dark Knight since Batman The Animated Series Season 4. This short 6 episode series is by far the darkest and bloodiest version of Batman I have seen yet. The episodes run just over twelve minutes but quite a bit happens. Should this ever become a long running series I have no doubt it could even surpass BTAS season 4. Which to me is the best Batman had to offer.
  
  Batman GK begins when a group of teens are telling their incredibly over exaggerated stories of Batman in action. This first episode was completely uninteresting to me in every way. I really didn't find it humorous and I feel this precious time could have been used better. This episode is very similar to Legends of the Dark Knight on season 4 of BTAS. After seeing this three times already, I skip this first chapter.
  
  The next episode is when the short wait pays off. Batman is going up against two rival gangs locked in a bloody feud. This is when you know for sure, that you're watching a totally different Batman. I'll just leave it at that. There's a whole lot I can say about this but I want to try and keep spoilers non existent.
  
  The story telling is done pretty well developing Batman's character. You will also see the newest versions of Killer Croc and The Scarecrow. Both characters went through a huge makeover with Croc looking more menacing then hes ever looked. The Scarecrow looks menacing as well. The atmosphere during The Scarecrow's scene brings out the depth in his character.
  
  The animation and the artwork are superb. The animation never seemed off to me, it flowed very well during the fight scenes and they were easy to follow. It never became too dark where nothing could be seen. A well orchestrated soundtrack complements the dark mood very well. The voice acting is very solid with Kevin Conroy reprising his role as Batman. He clearly hasn't missed a beat and sounds as good as ever.
  
  Parents who are cautious of what their children watch. Should view this first and see if it's suitable. There's pretty strong language at first and the violence is a huge step up from BTAS. Don't come into this expecting the playful like humor seen in BTAS seasons 1-3. This version of Batman is something to take serious.
  
  The single disk DVD comes with a trailer of The Dark Knight movie and it looks very impressive. There is also a short commentary on the Wonder Woman animated movie due out next spring.
  
  This short series has its flaws. But overall I was still satisfied with this and I'm sure lots of fans will be also. This is a nice appetizer for the main course due out in July.
  
  
  

• Incredible and Worth Every Penny

  
  By A3TYC8T6W81DDB on 2008-06-30
  *This does contain some minor spoilers. I tried not to spoil too much.*
  
  Batman: Gotham Knight is advertised as the missing link between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. There are six stories in total. Each story is by different artists, but they all link together and flow together nicely.
  
  The first story is untitled(that I know of) and envolves a boy waiting for his friends to arrive. Once they do, each one of them tells a story about what they saw today and they all saw Batman. Each story is farfetched in its own way as this story capitalizes on teenagers stretching the truth and/or having overactive imaginations. It seems their day isn't finished though as the fight they all witnessed makes its way to that very skate park.
  
  "Crossfire" is the story of Chris and Anna being apart of Lietenant Gordon's MCU(Major Crime Unit). Chris thinks Batman is a vigilante that takes the law into his own hands while Anna is still unsure about him and is just thankful that good cops that know how to do their job are actually being respected now that Batman has shown up. After taking a recent Arkham escapee back to the asylum, they soon realize they're stuck in the middle of a gang war between Sal Maroni and The Russian.
  
  "Field Test" begins with Lucius Fox showing Bruce Wayne some new gadgets. Amongst them is a harness equipped with an electromagnetic pulse strong enough to deflect bullets. Batman decides to test it out with Maroni, The Russian, and his goons. Everything is going Batman's way until a certain...glitch...happens.
  
  "In Darkness Dwells" has everyone looking for a monster. Killer Croc, to be exact. Apparently, he was the former patient of a certain Johnathan Crane. Coincidentally, one of the reasons he was admitted to Dr. Crane was for his fear of bats. Go figure.
  
  Batman is injured on what seems like any other night he puts on his mask in "Working Through Pain." We're basically shown how tenacious he really is as he struggles with his injuries. We're also shown a few flashbacks of his past and soon learn the difference between exterior and interior pain. There's a way to put pain in its place and this is how Bruce Wayne found out how.
  
  "Deadshot" has come back to Gotham and has set his sights on Jim Gordon, but it looks like he has alterior motives. Bruce Wayne also gives his views on guns.
  
  Gotham Knight is superb. There's really no other way to describe it. I had my doubts about it, but I think those were blown away during the first few minutes of the film. The animation is fantastic. Everything moves crisply and smoothly. It just seems to flow. And let me just say that it's amazing to hear Kevin Conroy as the voice of Batman again. It's like a homecoming in so many ways.
  
  The biggest question you may be asking yourself is if all the stories actually flow together since they're all done by different artists. The truth is that other than the artistic style changing, you don't really notice anything. The voice cast stays the same throughout the entire film and while each individual story has its own story to tell, they're all connected in some way and flow together nicely.
  
  Gotham Knight is a feature that shouldn't be missed by anybody. Whether you're an anime fan, a Batman fan, or you're just looking for something new to catch your eye, I'd recommend Gotham Knight to anyone and everyone. The animation is beautiful and has a real crisp flow to it while the stories are written incredibly well and will keep you interested. The voice cast is also something worth mentioning. Other than seeing Kevin Conroy come back as Batman, the rest of the cast does a great job as well. My one complaint is that it doesn't really bridge the gap between anything. If you've seen Batman Begins, you'll be fine when you see The Dark Knight. This doesn't really seem to have anything that's a must see before TDK comes out in a few weeks. It is a nice bonus though and is highly recommended.
  
  Rating: 9/10
  
  

• sad that this is not a movie

  
  By A13RKCVOHY3GPN on 2008-04-28
  i would like to start off by saying this is not a bad review about this batman gotham knight dvd release. I think that it is sad that this is not a movie but rather mini episodes of batman. people buying this thinking that it is a movie will be disappointed.
  
  

• In the darkest of Knights...

  
  By AJKWF4W7QD4NS on 2008-07-08
  With The Dark Knight just around the corner, Warner Bros. and DC has released another more than solid, direct to DVD animated feature with Batman: Gotham Knight. A collection of six interlocking stories featuring various writing and animator talent, Gotham Knight gets off to a bit of a rocky start, but winds up being a thoroughly entertaining ride while it lasts. "Have I Got a Story For You", with a script from A History of Violence screenwriter Josh Olson, revolves around a group of kids and their stories about encountering Batman in action. The story and animation here aren't really anything special, but thankfully things get better from here on forward. "Crossfire", with a script from acclaimed comic writer Greg Rucka, finds detectives Allen and Ramirez caught in the middle of a gang-war between mob factions, with Batman in the middle as well. "Field Test", with a script from Jordan Goldberg, features a ridiculously young Bruce Wayne putting new gadgets from Lucius Fox to use, while Batman Begins and Blade writer David Goyer contributes the excellent "In Darkness Dwells", where Batman takes on the Scarecrow and Killer Croc. Comic writer Brian Azzarello contributes "Working Through Pain", which is an intriguing look at Bruce's past lessons to overcome physical pain, and the excellent finale entitled "Deadshot" is written by classic animated series writer Alan Burnett and features a bloody face-off between Batman and the gun-toting assassin of the title name. The various animation techniques used throughout may not be everyone's cup of tea (some will certainly thrill you more than others), but as a whole Gotham Knight is a dark (and surprisingly violent) blast. The Two-Disc Special Edition features some spectacular extras that are worth the price of admission alone, including a fascinating documentary going over Batman's rogues gallery, a documentary about Batman creator Bob Kane, and four great episodes from the classic 90's animated series. All in all, Batman: Gotham Knight will tide you over (briefly) during the wait for The Dark Knight, and Batman fans should definitely give it a look. Be warned however if you're a parent: Gotham Knight is a surprisingly mature and violent animated feature that more than likely should not be viewed by young children.
  
  

• Batman in six acts

  
  By A4OSXRZR2BMX8 on 2008-07-11
  This new Batman DVD has impressive looking animation, but I found the story somewhat frustrating to follow at times. The best of its six segments were those involving the villains Scarecrow and Deadshot (esp. the Deadshot tale), but others tended to be very artsy (such as the story about Bruce Wayne learning from a female sensei type). The opening sketch is clever in its use of the skateboard kids and their perspectives of Batman's encounter with an enemy, but it's also ineffective as a story since it tells little about who the criminal is, what he did, etc. In fact, all throughout the disc, I had a "huh?" reaction way too often, not understanding exactly what was happening or why.
  
  
• Cant Wait!
  By ACVUL6N2LVPF7 on 2008-04-19
  I think this will be a great twist on the world of Batman, ala animatrix,The arwork ive seen looks amazing.Im hyped about The Dark Knight and think this will be a great companion to the movie.
  
  
• It is what it is...
  By A1H1GYLYZGO2PU on 2008-05-08
  So, here's the deal with Batman: Gotham Knight.
  
  It IS a movie, technically. It's six-interlocking mini episodes, creating one concurrent plotline. So-technically, it is a movie.
  
  Either way, it's going to be AWESOME.
  
  
• Six Perspectives Woven into One Bat-Man Story
  By A37JKM7EFD0DIQ on 2008-07-09
  I am surprised at so many one star reviews. I really do not know what to make of it, because at any level, this DVD is not that poor in writing or quality; however, I was both satisfied and in places a little disappointed. The main film involves six stories woven into one narrative that last about hour and ten minutes. The art work is generally good, but Batman is often drawn in an oft-kilted style. So first, the disappointments: Now, I am just an amateur artists, but this style only works in short spurts (like one frame), not in multiple frames (where it starts to wear thin very quickly). In one frame, it can draw the on-looker in, making one appreciate characteristics and points being made; however, in a film, this technique, I assert, begins to distract the viewer.
  
  The stories are in and of themselves, pretty good; but, because they are small vignettes, they are not as good as the "Animated Series" from the early to mid 90s. The story "Working Through Pain" is so esoteric, that its strength fails to deliver with its pretentious ending. With that said, the rest of the DVD is very good and the stories hold up very well and while some stories involve a lot of action, some do not and this adds depth to the character - much like the comic book. The best story is the last and that is true because it is also well told and the best "drawn".
  
  The bio-epic on Bob Kane on disc two is really nice and one gets a good sense about the man and his life and journey. There are some special "animated" series episodes and "The Legends of the Dark Knight" is similar to the first story on disk one, "Do I have a Story to Tell" (both of which are based loosely on "The Batman Nobody Knows" -Batman #250, 1973, Frank Robbins).
  
  This is a very good edition to the Batman genre and mythos, but not a spectacular one.
  
  
  
• BATMAN: Gotham Knight
  By ASLYHXHL9A1B0 on 2008-06-24
  At last a decent Batman cartoon after Batman: The Animated Series! Kevin Conroy, the true Batman voice, Bruce Timm, the man who created BTAS, Alan Burnett, the guy that made some of the best Batman stories, are all here to this latest Batman anime feature! Ive been watching Batman since 1992 (BTAS) and as many of you i felt that "The Batman" was a discrace to the original! So i HIGHLY recomend this one to all who just want to see Batman as the way they know he is! Many bonuses are included in the 2nd DVD like: 4 Batman The Animated series episodes, a tribute to Bob Kane, a discusion about the villains, a sneek peek of the new Wonder Woman feature and trailers! July 8 Batman: Gotham Knight must be your No.1 purchase for all Batman fans!
  
  
• Very Good
  By A2AFM0SLLFPSJ1 on 2008-07-01
  To be frank I only liked the second half of the film. The first half constists of nothing but the view of Batman through the eyes of various civilians, and Batman beating up goons.
  
  The second half or the last two stories are far more enjoyable. Working Through Pain was written by one of my favourite comic book writers Brian Azarello (100 Bullets), and he did a good job in annunciating that Bruce really doesn't want to work through the pain of his parents death. He wants to hold on to that pain because it gives him purpose and it drives him. And really if he were to give up that pain--he probably would find his life devoid and meaningless and purposeless. The Deadshot story, I liked because it shows the kind of Alpha male hero who is willing to stand down any threat (yet not a goon) warrior I like to see him portrayed as.
  
  
  
• Nothing New. Bleh. Fell Asleep.
  By A318YMWV6R5DNT on 2008-07-09
  Ugg. Another hyped Batman product. I was excited to see this new take on the Batman character but once I realized about ten minutes in that it wasn't going to get any better I lost interest quickly. Bleh. From the first story you are aware that'll probably put you to sleep. I can just imagine the pitch meeting. We'll make Batman hip for today's youth! Get skateboards and have kids talkin' "street jive" tellin' their Batman stories. Uggg. It's pretty bad. Save your money. We'll all lose interest as soon as the new movie comes out. Bleh.
  
  
• Reminds me of the animatrix
  By A3G7P6ABPPS9MJ on 2008-04-13
  I think its more like the release of the Animatrix before the 2nd Matrix movie I think? It was like this movie in that it was animated, and all the "movies" were done by a different director, and gave a little insight into the matrix universe all on its own. Check it out and I think we'll find when this one comes out that I might be right.
  
  
• Batman + anime directors = awesome
  By A21A2DSEA14BPT on 2008-04-16
  Im not even a big batman fan (go Supes). But when you put a dark iconic hero with a dark story and mix it up with japanese animation and have the guys that gave us Ghost in the Shell, Spriggan and Ninja Scroll all involved... that can only be big things. They have me sold.
  
  
• Shut Up!! It's Hottness!!!!
  By A2JDZ8IPZHY5D0 on 2008-04-20
  Finally! I've been waiting so long for this. I already bought it and I can't wait to see it!
  
  - MR. J
  
  
• Kevin Conroy
  By A3R8IAEVIYU633 on 2008-05-18
  Thank God he is back, after the shameful "The Batman" series this is very refreshing.
  
  
• Not Good
  By A3RXXL1V5LAZX6 on 2008-07-09
  Hearing that Bruce Timm was producing this DVD animated Batman movie, I ran out to get a copy. Ouch.
  
  While I enjoy the work of several Japanese animators, this is pure "anime" which has become mostly exploitation entertainment produced to appeal to Western audiences. These stories are hollow and thin, and there's a dingy, murky grimness to the collection that makes it impossible to enjoy. Batman is a cipher in these stories, and the heart that makes other Timm productions so special is completely missing. Almost any episode from the first season of Timm's 1990's "Batman The Animated Series" leaves this wallowing in the gutter, where it belongs.
  
  Oh, and most of the animation is generic and boring. Blech.
  
  
• A Failed Experiment
  By A3Q4GQ7U51G9XO on 2008-07-13
  I wanted to like this but could not. I think the concept was an interesting experiment but it failed. The anime style simply does not work for Batman. The animation for a few of the stories came close to looking right for Batman but most did not, and some of it was ugly. The stories were too short to develop properly so as a result they are mostly shallow and uninteresting. Apparently, the idea was that they were to tie together to tell a larger story but I did not see that happen.
  
  The best thing about this effort was the return of Kevin Conroy to the part that he made his own. I would have given two stars just for his work, but decided to give it one to balance all those who gave it five stars before they even saw it.
  
  
• Buy it for the extras
  By AN9J46667D80O on 2008-07-18
  DC's recent spate of direct-to-DVD videos have been somewhat of a mixed bag. I didn't care for Superman - Doomsday (DC Universe Animated Original Movie), but I was very impressed by Justice League - The New Frontier (Two-Disc Special Edition) and greatly recommend it.
  
  Sadly, this film isn't nearly as good as "...New Frontier", and only slightly better than "Superman - Doomsday".
  
  The idea behind this movie, aside from milking out a few bucks before the release of "The Dark Knight" (can't wait to see it tomorrow!), is to do what the people behind The Animatrix did; get some respected Japanese animation studios and have them make some shorts based on the movie(s).
  
  In principle this isn't a bad idea, and for something like The Matrix series, which so clearly draws inspiration from anime, it might work very well. It works less well, however, for a universe like the one shown in Batman Begins (Two-Disc Special Edition), which is much more grounded in as much reality as any super-hero film can be.
  
  The animation in the movie is decent, but nothing to write home about (of course I'm not some big-time otaku, so take that for what it's worth). The storylines are ok. One where Batman gets a device that keeps him safe from bullets works out ok, as does the one with Killer Croc, but overall none of the stories are that great.
  
  There are some good things, though. It's always great to hear Kevin Conroy as the voice of Batman/Bruce Wayne. He really nails it and does a great job with both characters. All the rest of the voice-acting is quite good, too.
  
  But where this set really shines is in the extras. There's a great biography of Bob Kane (and people like me will get a real big laugh out of the "News On Parade" feature at the begining). My favorite extra, however, is the four episodes of the animated Batman series, which includes two of my favorite episodes from the show.
  
  Ultimately I give really only one, maybe two, stars for the movie itself, but with those extras the set gets a boost up to three stars! Still not great, but at least I don't feel ripped-off by it.
  
  
• Over-priced, Under Written, Too Short, Chintzy Bonus Features
  By ADES8B01WRPI3 on 2008-07-25
  The BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHT has nice looking animation, but is seriously flawed by nearly clueless writing and boring stretches that focus on peripheral characters instead of Batman.
  
  The first two of the six segments focus on a either a group of teen skateboarders, or a couple of cops, and their impressions of what they think about Batman. You get more screen time with these peripheral characters than time spent on Batman's crime fighting. I prefer to watch the Batman character in action, than see fictional bystanders getting the story all wrong about Batman.
  
  You eventually get a few interesting scenes of Batman, but you will likely be bored and unenthusiastic by the time these scenes arrive, and they don't make up for the lameness of what came before.
  
  To add insult to injury, the BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHT (Singe-Disc Edition) is a full priced DVD, but you only get 75 minutes of story. The only bonus feature is creator audio commentary. They want you to buy the 2-Disc Edition to get the bonus features that they should have put on this Single-Disc Edition, (the most interesting of which is a documentary of Bob Kane, the original creator of Batman, on the 2-disc Edition).
  
  You will be much better off buying one of the ANIMATED SERIES DVD sets, than with this overpriced BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHT (Single-Disc Edition). Batman - The Animated Series, Volume One (DC Comics Classic Collection)
  
  
• Oh my God, it looks amazing!
  By AOLYX3E9C00C on 2008-05-04
  I've alreadly pre-ordered it, and seen the trailer about five times, and it looks amazing. It's really cool that there presenting Batman in a completely different format, anime style using guys from Batman TAS, and several well known Japanese animators. Each story has a different take on Batman's story. And Kevin Conroy is the excellent choice, to do his voice, he can sound sound so menancing and intimidating. I just wish it was a lot longer, seems like most of the Batman animated movies, or direct to video ones seem to be around that 75 or 76 minute length. Only wish they could make it least two hours. And I wish they would bring a Batman animated movie to the movie theatre, I think "Mask of the Phantasm" was the only one. But, Oh my God, this looks amazing, hopefully they might make some more after this one. I can't wait till it comes out.
  
  
• okay
  By A2ULPUQ609759S on 2008-07-06
  wow, very dissapointing but its still ok.
  The animation was beautiful but most of the stories were dull and boring for the exception of a couple or so and i love Batman.
  
  the first story with the little kids was ok but it just wasnt " Batman" to me, I felt like i was watching PBS or something. The animation or art was nice looking but the story was ok. my rating: 3/5
  
  the second story was alright but the first few minutes were dull and boring, i thought the two detectives were boring charcters.but then i saw batman at the end and that was probably the best part.but in the end, it wasnt very good, and lets keep in mind these stories are about 12 min or so, my rating for this 3/5
  
  the third one was much better than the first 2, although parts of it were dull, the scenes with batman were really cool, the action was cool but i wish i could of seen more of Batman. this story was good but dissapointing.I liked the design of batman on this one.
  my rating 3.5/5
  
  the 4th story was also pretty descent , batman looked cool in this story. I didnt like how killer croc and scarecrow looked and how they were used in this story but its was still descent, but the story is just way too short. my rating 3.5/5
  
  the fifth story sucked big time balls, it was very dull and boring .it wasnt a very good story at all, it wasnt entertaining. I didnt like it at all, the only good parts were the scenes with batman. my rating 1.5/5
  
  the 6th and last story was the best and it was very cool. in this one batman must face an assasin named deadshot. Batman's design looks very cool in this story and i think its the best design. deadshot is a very cool villain. the action scenes were cool. this was well written but my only complain is that it was just way too short. This is is what the entire "movie" should of been like. It would of been awesome to see deadshot vs batman more than once. It would of been much better had their been a bigger plot and a bigger story instead of having six stories. the 6th story gets a rating of 4.5/5
  
  the entire 70 minute or so movie should of been the sixth story They should of taken the 6th story and expand it to 70 minutes.That way we could of had a very cool Batman anime film. 12 min was not enough. this idea of six stories by six different people was sort of a good idea but it just didnt work out right.bad excecution.
  
  i'll probably wait until this dvd gets cheaper and buy the two disc dvd, which comes with 4 episodes from Batman The Animated Series, now thats the type of story telling that this film was missing.
  
  overall 3/5 stars
  
  
• Against all odds...
  By A3GQ508O0PAYUF on 2008-07-13
  For anyone who came into this DVD expecting it to be similar to Batman: the Animated Series...it's not.
  
  For anyone who came into this DVD expecting it to be similar to the Animatrix...it's not.
  
  For anyone expecting this to be worth watching...your call, but I don't think so.
  
  After watching it, it was HEAVILY influenced by Japanese animation techniques, and looks somewhat like a median between Avatar and Princess Mononoke. The mouths were never matched to what was said, and it was very dark.
  
  This style of animation had considerable amounts of blood (for animation), and I would not recommend this for children, even though I absolutely love Batman:TAS.
  
  Lastly, this DVD moved very slowly, with very little plot stretched out over a ridiculous length of time. It had some interesting shots, but overall, don't waste your time or money.
  
  
• Uninspired, Greed-motivated Junk.
  By A2DHFWYWUCCY7W on 2008-07-17
  This has got to be one of the most obvious "let's rip off fan boys and suckers" ploys of recent memory. Slapped together, apparently, in a rush to get it to market before the movie hits theaters.
  
  The writing is bad. Really bad and really obvious. Amazing Goyer let his name remain on this (he has one segment), but he's had his klunkers before. The stories ALL lack for inspiration or invention. The whole time, you're yearning for some snap, some smarts. It never comes. Most of the animation is even worse. The last piece felt a little more evenly constructed and satisfying, only because the segments preceding that one were so jaw-droppingly bad.
  
  The animation character design in a couple of pieces is so utterly lacking in any kind of grace or artistry, it's all the more evident that this thing was farmed out with no central artistic oversight, no vision, in an attempt to squeeze more money out of the BATMAN franchise....as if it were just an after-thought from the marketing department, handed off to Chris Nolan's assistant (who sadly will be stuck with the creative blame for this dreck for years to come) to keep it "in the family".
  
  It's really a shame, as Nolan's THE DARK KNIGHT promises to be terrific, deep, a hallmark of modern blockbusters. To even associate "Gotham Knight" with THAT movie is just a crime.
  
  Don't waste your money. This has nothing of the inventiveness or intrigue or artistic integrity of "The Animatrix." This is sheer junk spewed out to suck your money quick. 14-year old fanboys will eat it up. But if you've got any kind of standard for entertainment, this isn't even worth a rental.
  
  Four episodes of the old Bruce Timm BATMAN animated series are on the bonus features. Just BUY that series, and leave this to the junk heap of avaricious studio hacks.
  
  
• It was okay -- not great -- but okay....
  By ATCA11GYB87KN on 2008-07-08
  I had high expectations for this flick, but, I must say I was disappointed. The animation was mediocre, and the story was slow moving. But, it was very happy to have Kevin Conroy voicing the Dark Knight.
  
  
• Meh...
  By AQ2YU4CHV85H on 2008-07-09
  I love Batman. I've loved Batman for years. I am way too excited for The Dark Knight. So when I found out there was going to be an Animatrix style in-betweener for Batman, I flipped....That is until I saw it. Truthfully, this really isn't that good. The animation is phenomenal - very dark, how Batman should be - but the stories just aren't good. They go from bad to slightly better, but still never reach "good" by the end of the movie. I found myself saying "what was the point of that?" at the end of every story, and couldn't really find any good reasons why this was even made. This is pretty much a cash grab from the studios. In comparison to The Animatrix, this one doesn't even stand up - Gotham Knight doesn't give you anything substantial - it doesn't deliver anything about the character that we don't already know, and it doesn't even reiterate the point very well. There is really no need to see this before you see The Dark Knight. I read earlier bad reviews and ignored them and bought it anyway - so PLEASE at least give this one a rental before you drop more than 20 bucks on it.
  
  
• Worst Batman I've ever seen
  By ALP19U34LPTE1 on 2008-07-09
  This is just a collection of random Batman cartoons. First off the animation is just horrible. Second, have the people who made these episodes ever even read a Batman comic. The stories are pitiful. The art in some of the episodes is passable, but mostly it just annoys. The first episode being the worst drawing I think I've ever seen, Ren & Stimpy was better done. If I go on any longer my review will seem like some hate-filled rant so I'm going to stop now. Trust me and DO NOT BUY this. Re-watching any episode from Batman: The Animated Series (Batman TAS) is better than seeing this for the first time.
  
  
• Amazing, if you are open minded
  By A6Z0MS1NNI250 on 2008-07-09
  As a fan of both anime and Batman, I was thrilled to hear about this set months ago, and it did not dissappoint.
  
  Anime fans who are less open minded to American stories will dislike the storytelling, and American fans may be put-off by the animation; but if you are willing to appreciate the melding of different styles, you will like this.
  
  The Bob Kane Bio was interesting, but the villian feature provided no information that Batman fans didn't already know. All Batman the animated Series episodes included are great too. If you haven't picked up the sets of that series then this is worth it simply to get those episodes.
  
  I think most of the negative reviews are from people who had made up thier minds that they would dislike this from the begining (and after "The Batman" this does not surprise me) but if you come into it with an open mind you will like it.
  
  
  
• Disappointing
  By AOE9KV9FTJU1P on 2008-07-15
  Great animation, an interesting variety of styles, but unfortunately the loosely interlocking stories are just boring. All is not lost, however, with the excellent "Legends of the Dark Knight" episode from Batman: The Animated Series, which takes artistic license from both the 60's Batman TV series intro and Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, and as one of the extras. The upcoming Wonder Woman feature looks much more promising than Gotham Knight actually turned out.
  
  
• very dissapointed
  By A16J62LKQI6VUT on 2008-07-19
  the only good thing about this dvd is kevin conroy back as batman. why do they continue to take a good thing like TAS, and ruin it with japanimation type cartoons. TAS was the true batman, its characters, their backgrounds, and the art work is so fitting and perfect. the animation to all the super hero dc comics films ahould be what bruce timm and company did with the original series. kevin conroy should be batman, forever. save your money and tell warner bros to stop this fancy type production and to go back to what works.
  
  
• Mediocre and Disappointing for Batman fans
  By A131BGEUIWKXM1 on 2008-07-28
  I do not understand how some of the other reviewers can give this product such a high rating and praise it with such conviction. I got this DVD because of all the great reviews from those purporting to be Batman fans, expecting a great feature with excellent animation and a compelling storyline.
  
  Like many others, I've followed Batman since I was a kid and own a large collection of Batman comics and graphic novels; these include the favorites such as the Long Halloween, Dark Victory, Batman: Year One, the Dark Knight Returns, and Knightfall. With that said, from the perspective of one who has followed Batman and is familiar with the character's evolution over the past 10 years, this feature was mediocre and disappointing.
  
  On the positive side, the animation and sound (including voice acting) was superb. However, in my opinion the lack of any compelling plotline or character insight/development will always overshadow good video or audio. Furthermore, for those looking for some connection between the two movies by Chris Nolan, you won't find any of significance. With that said, don't expect a DC version of the Animatrix, which was designed to give die-hard fans a deeper level of understanding and appreciation for the series.
  
  

• Batman Begins (Widescreen Edition)
• Iron Man (Single-Disc Edition)
• Justice League - The New Frontier (Two-Disc Special Edition)
• Incredible Hulk (Widescreen Edition)
• The Batman - The Complete Fifth Season