The Batman Legacy - All 4 Feature-Length Films (1997) Review

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(More customer reviews)This review is for the "Batman Anthology" set, where each movie is packaged in a new, 2-disc special edition. There is also an older, "Batman Legacy" set with the bare-bones editions, and Amazon seems to be grouping the two reviews together.
It's about time that Warner Home Video has finally given these superhero films the two disc, special-edition treatment they deserve. Each film comes with restored/enhanced video and audio, and all the special features one expects from a current dvd release these days; we get commentaries, archival music videos and trailers, making-of featurettes, interviews, retrospectives, and deleted scenes. The last bit will be of special interest to some fans, especially because the Batman Forever DVD finally includes those missing sequences we saw in the storybooks and trading cards (though they appear here in rough form). Also of interest to fans of the animated series is the abandoned "Robin sequence" from the original movie, where they got Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamil to bring the storyboards to life. Overall the special features are excellent, and these special editions are not a cheap double-dip.
The big question is if you should shell out for the box set, which includes the generally reviled "Batman and Robin." Personally I completely love the first three movies, and since the box set is about the price of buying them seperately or even cheaper, I'd say go for it. The Batman and Robin edition has enough special features to be worth the investment, and besides that the complete box set just looks nicer on my shelf. If you only like two of the four movies, it's a harder decision. If you can guarantee to yourself that you'll never be tempted to pick up more than two of the films, grab them individually. But if you're a collector who might eventually cave-in and get the others for completion's sake, the best bet is to buy the box set now.
Either way, it's nice to finally own these films with all the trimmings.

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This 4-title boxed-set contains all of the titles in the Batman series, including: Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever, and Batman & Robin.

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Batman: The Complete Animated Series (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)In 1992, Bruce Timm and Paul Dini revolutionized animation and redefined what a "kids cartoon" could be by bringing their vision of Batman alive on the small screen. Though based on the foundation of the 1989 "Batman" film and it's sequel "Batman Returns" which came out the same year, the series was not an adaptation of that concept, characters, or world. It stood independent of everything that had come before or would come later. It combined only the best elements of the other incarnations, and become something else: a legend in it's own right.
It did not pander down to it's target audiences youth, but instead walked a very fine line between remaining acceptable for all ages and embracing the true mythos of the dark knight. It featured forensic science at a time before such was common place, it showcased the often overlooked detective skills and intelligence of Bruce Wayne/Batman, and did something that no other incarnation of the Batman universe has ever been able to do - before or in it's wake - it pleased everyone without compromise.
If you ask 1,000 Batman fans what the greatest incarnation of "Batman" is to them, including the comics, about 980 of them will tell you "Batman: The Animated Series" as their answer. It offered everything everyone loved about each version that had come before or has come since in perfect balance. It did things no one thought possible, either for Batman or for a "kids show". It truly changed things, and no other animated series has ever lived up to the bar it set.
Nothing before it had been ever so mature without getting into 'adult' themes. By comparison, today's "kids cartoons" are true to the definition; cartoons and caricatures of their sources and of reality. "Batman: the Animated Series" was a truly realistic show that anyone from any age from 2 to 82 could sit down and enjoy. If you are a Batman fan and you have not seen this series, or if you had but do not yet own it... this is worth every penny.

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Studio: Warner Home VideoRelease Date: 11/04/2008Rating: Nr

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Batman Beyond - Return of the Joker (The Original Uncut Version) (2000) Review

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(More customer reviews)The original Batman animated series of the 90's might have been aimed towards children, but it was so well written and slick that older audiences enjoyed it as well. While I was a big fan of that original series, I'll admit I really wasn't too fond of Batman Beyond (although the idea behind it intrigued me). I had originally seen the original cut version of "Return of the Joker", and I somewhat liked it, but when I heard about the uncut version finally getting released, something told me I had to see it. I will tell you that in every way, shape, and form, this uncut version tops the cut one. The uncut version clears up some holes from the cut one that were created so the more "violent and mature themed" scenes could be cut out, plus we get to really see just what kind of lunatic the Joker is, I mean who would do that to a kid? Seeing that image of what happens to Robin will make you understand why Warner Bros. cut out the scene. Not to mention we also get to see how the Joker really met his demise, and why Bruce Wayne walks with a cane. Kevin Conroy is great as always as Bruce, while Will Friedle is pretty good as Terry McGinnis, but the film belongs to Mark Hamill, who is always fantastic but here much more sadistic, as the Joker. Other voice talents include Dean Stockwell, Melissa Joan Hart, Angie Harmon, Michael Rosenbaum, and good 'ol Henry Rollins as one of the Joker's henchman (we also get to see what really happens to him too). All in all, if your older but love anything Batman, steer clear of the cut version and get this fantastic uncut edition, but if your buying this for your kids or a young child (like say under 10), get the cut version because this uncut edition may be too intense for them.

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The greatest villain of all comes out of the past to threaten Batman, Bruce Wayne and all of Gotham City in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, the first feature-length Batman Beyond movie. The sleeker, deadlier and seemingly immortal Clown Prince of Crime is back with his own unique brand of havoc and mayhem. While trying to uncover the Joker's secrets, the new Batman, Terry McGinnis, discovers the greatest mystery in the life of the original Caped Crusader: What happened the night he fought the Joker for the last time. When Bruce Wayne is almost killed in one of the Joker's latest attacks, Batman vows to avenge his mentor and put the Joker to rest forever. Get ready for heart-stomping action, awesome adventure and amazing revelations in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.DVD Features:Audio Commentary:Commentary by the filmmakersBiographies:Animated Character BiographiesDVD ROM Features:Links to Warner Bros. Family Entertainment web sites, Special web events, Sampler trailersDeleted ScenesDocumentary:Behind the scenes documentaryInteractive MenusMusic Video:"Crash" by Mephisto Odyssey (featuring Static X)Other:Animation testsProduction NotesScene AccessTheatrical Trailer

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Batman - The Animated Series - The Legend Begins (1992) Review

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(More customer reviews)It's about time that Warner Brothers finally responded to the years of demand by the fans to release the amazing "Batman: The Animated Series" on DVD. What we've finally gotten is a mixed bag, however. I'm happy to see this first disc of episodes in chronological order (rather than the ridiculous themed releases like what we got on VHS), and hopefully Warner will continue to release the entire series in order and complete; but more episodes on the disc would have been nice! What we get here on this release called "Batman: The Legend Begins" is the first five episodes of the animated series -- based on production order, not airdate order -- (1) "On Leather Wings", (2) "Christmas with the Joker", (3) "Nothing to Fear", (4) "The Last Laugh", and (5) "Pretty Poison". Respectively, these episodes are the spectacular pilot with Man-Bat, a lighthearted Joker story, a pretty good Scarecrow story, another (slightly better) Joker story and the origin story of Poison Ivy. A pretty good introduction to the series, but the best was yet to come! As far as extras go, there isn't much. An introduction by Bruce Timm, a few webgames and CD-ROM links, and a brief documentary. (Where are the commentaries, pre-production drawings, artwork slideshows, and extended documentaries?) ... ... Now, if you've never seen the series you are in for a treat! "Batman: The Animated Series" premiered on television way back on Sep. 5th, 1992 with the episode "The Cat & The Claw, part 1" (not included on this first disc), about three months after the live-action "Batman Returns" had come out. The animated series (unlike the mediocre movies) met with almost universal acclaim. Boistered by fabulous writing from the likes of Paul Dini, Alan Burnett, Michael Reaves and many others, as well as solid voice talent like Mark Hamill (wonderful as the Joker) and Kevin Conroy (this guy IS Batman), the series also intoduced such wonderful characters as Harley Quinn and improved versions of nearly ever Batman rogues gallery villian. In my humble opinion, the animated series is the definitive Batman, better than any of the comic books or movies... absolutely nailing the characterizations of Batman/Bruce Wayne himself, as well as his relationships with police commissioner Gordon, Robin/Dick Grayson and best of all Alfred. The series transcends its origins as a "kids cartoon" to being one of the greatest and most adult animated series ever produced. (In a recent poll, it ended second only to "The Simpsons" as the greatest cartoon series ever.) ... At a rate of only five episodes per disc, it will take twenty-two discs to release the entire series of 109 episodes, and that doesn't even count the 50+ episodes of "Batman Beyond" or the 54 episodes of the "Superman" animated series; these series have not yet been announced, but we can only hope... right, Warner Bros?

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In the original five episodes of the Emmy-winning Batman The Animated Series, Batman must battle The Joker, The Scarecrow, Poison Ivy and more to protect Gotham City.

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Batman & Mr. Freeze - SubZero (1998) Review

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(More customer reviews)In my humble corner of the universe, the creator/producer behind the BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES has masterminded the only storytelling -- big and small screen -- to hit the "nail on the head" with its portrayal of Batman, Robin, and the whole Rogues Gallery of criminals. The animation is brisk, the tales are even swifter, and the conclusions typically pack an emotional wallop not commonly associated with animation.
SUBZERO isn't 'substandard' Bat-telling fare by any stretch of the imagination. The tale -- Mr. Freeze once again is up to trying to save the life of his beloved wife, Nora, in suspended animation, and it just so happens that Barbara Gordon (aka Batgirl) has the proper DNA to make it possible -- is intelligent, insightful, and captivating. The events happen quickly, and the action-packed ending puts everything in the budget up on the screen.
In fact, if SUBZERO has any shortcomings, it might be that the intended blending of traditional animation with CGI isn't as seamless as the producers might've wanted it to be. There are whole sequences that stand out because of the contrast, but, in the end, they do little to detract from the story.
SUBZERO briefly explores the tragic nature of Mr. Freeze, a reluctant supervillain forced to do what he does out of the attempts to save his wife's life. This is the beauty of the animated Batman venues; the characters -- especially the villains -- are just as flawed as Bats himself.

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This breathtaking adventure explodes into animated action when the villainous Mr. Freeze kidnaps Batgirl. Now, racing the clock, Batman and Robin face off against Mr. Freeze in the iciest showdown of the century.DVD Features:Challenges:The Hunt for Mr. Freeze gameFilmographies:Cast and crew informationOther:Get the Picture: How To Draw Batman; music montageScene AccessTheatrical Trailer:Trailers

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Justice League Unlimited - Season Two (DC Comics Classic Collection) (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews)Several SPOILERS here.
Well, the ride had to end sometime. JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON is the culminating season to this excellent animated series and serves to put a capper on the DC Animated Universe, which consists of BATMAN: T.A.S., SUPERMAN: T.A.S., BATMAN BEYOND, STATIC SHOCK, and ZETA PROJECT. While the current THE BATMAN and LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES continue the tradition somewhat, these new shows do not follow the same continuity.
This "second" season is, technically, the third season of JLU (or, even more comprehensively, the fifth season of JUSTICE LEAGUE) as JLU's "first" season dvd set actually contains Seasons 1 and 2. Hopefully, that wasn't too confusing to follow. Anyway, this dvd set offers the final 13 episodes in glorious wide screen and continues to showcase lesser lights from its expanded superhero roster (Hawkman in two episodes, the Warlord, Deadman, Green Arrow, the Huntress, etc.) as they are teamed up with several of the original seven founders.
Several episodes pay homage to CHALLENGE OF THE SUPERFRIENDS by updating the Legion of Doom, a haphazard collection of supervillains put together to combat the JLU, which then becomes the season's major story arc. Yes, there's even a Hall of Doom here. And, when we aren't privy to Gorilla Grodd and Lex Luthor engaging in power plays as they vie for the leadership of the Legion, we get to see highly diverting, self-contained episodes such as "Chaos at the Earth's Core" (I used to collect the Warlord), "Flash and Substance" (featuring a Bats/Flash team-up), "Patriot Act" (which salutes the Seven Soldiers of Victory and, in a way, resuscitates the defunct Cadmus Project), and "Far from Home" (on her 21st birthday, Supergirl, with GL and Green Arrow are transported to the 31st Century and meet the Legion of Super-Heroes).
Meanwhile, the superb "The Great Brain Robbery" (which has Luthor and Wally swapping minds) is a favorite Legion of Doom episode of mine. The Legion of Doom storyline, by the way, climaxes with the last two episodes, "Alive" and "Destroyer," as the writers throw out all the stops and bring back powerhouse villains Brainiac and Darkseid. By the way, the monumental clash between Superman and Darkseid is a must-see.
In my opinion, there isn't a lot of bad moments in this season (or in the entire series, come to think of it). Like a reviewer already mentioned, the disappearance of the Martian Manhunter for a significant portion of the season and the somewhat inconclusive resolution to Shayera and GL's often turbulent relationship are two which fall more in the negative category. And whatever happened with Batman and Wonder Woman's flirtations? Also, I wish the Blue Devil or Blue Beetle had been featured in a show (after all, Ted Kord's best bud, Booster Gold, starred in his own episode). On the positive side, the stories and the animation continue to be amazing. The stellar voice actors maintain their high quality work as they consistently add depth and resonance to their characters. Much as the Batman, as voiced by the iconic Kevin Conroy, and the Joker, by the versatile Mark Hamill, have been firmly embedded in my brain, so, too, now, are Michael Rosenbaum's Flash, Phil LaMarr's Jon Stewart, Maria Canal's Hawkgirl, Carl Lumbly's J'onn J'onzz, Susan Eisenberg's Wonder Woman, and Clancy Brown's Lex Luthor. George Newbern ends up being pretty good as the Man of Steel, but I still prefer Tim Daly. Sorry.
What started out, innocently enough, in 1992's definitive BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES has, over the course of 14 years, expanded into an animated universe in which so many significant DC costumed players have made an appearance. It's been such a sweet ride. I just want to state that never in my wildest dreams did I expect the JUSTICE LEAGUE (UNLIMITED) to be this good and this addictive. Thinking back, I probably was basing my expectations on the fun but ultimately shallow and juvenile Hanna-Barbera's SUPERFRIENDS. This current reincarnation offers so much more in terms of depth, emotion, story, scope, and creativity. The characters in JL and JLU are multi-layered, have inter-personal exchanges and conflicts, and do change and grow like real people (Hawkgirl being a prime example); the writers (Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, etc.) did such a fantastic job of making the viewers care for their product, the sum of 91 sincerely produced episodes. I'll miss the Justice League on television very, very much. Just thank goodness for dvds, huh?

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JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED:SECOND SEASO - DVD Movie

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Batman (20th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray Book) (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)The worldwide success of Christopher Nolan's "Batman Begins" has prompted Warner Bros. to finally release Tim Burton's 1989 "Batman" with an extra disc of special features...and this is an event worth cheering about!
A groundbreaking cinematic achievement (and one of the most expensive films ever produced, to that time), "Batman" was a tremendous gamble, and the story behind the ten-year struggle to bring it to the screen is fascinating! It is a tale of visionaries, beginning with Michael Uslan, a young student/Batman fan, who not only convinced his university to include comics in their curriculum, but, fired up by Richard Donner's "Superman", knew a Batman film could be just as powerful, and took the idea, with Batman creator Bob Kane's blessing, to Hollywood; of Peter Gruber and Jon Peters, who listened to Uslan, after every studio had passed on it, saw the potential, and decided to gamble; of Sam Hamm, who had a "Batman" script in his head, praying to get the chance to write it; and, most importantly, of Tim Burton, whose dark, quirky sensibilities made him THE director to film it, despite only two feature films to his credit.
This remarkable story, with archival footage and new interviews, is the highlight of disc two, but there is much, much more! Did you know that Robin was scripted to make an appearance in the first film? That Sean Young, not Kim Basinger, had been cast as Vicki Vale? That the Batmobile, designed by Oscar-winner Anton Furst, could actually do 95 mph (and that Tim Burton drove it, once?) That the room where disfigured Jack Nicholson received his unsuccessful plastic surgery was actually a studio prop room? Each chapter is a revelation!
Not that there aren't a few disappointments in the presentation; there is no chapter with deleted scenes (although a few moments are shown that never made it into the finished film...a little girl, seeing Batman, asks, in all seriousness, "Is it Halloween?", which causes him to pause, and grin); the 'History' of Batman, despite a wealth of photos and clips from the comics, serials, and graphic novels, does not offer a single visual from the campy 60s TV series (whether this was a refusal by 20th Century Fox, who produced the series, to permit their use, or an attempt to distance the movie from the "ZAP! BAM! POW!" silliness is not explained). Also, the brief appearance of screen legend Jack Palance, as 'Boss Grissom', is largely ignored, other than in Tim Burton's audio commentary, which is surprising. Still, many of the cast share their memories (Billy Dee Williams still expresses disappointment that he didn't get to play 'Two-Face'; Robert Wuhl, regret that after they rewrote his death scene to allow his character to survive, he never appeared in another film in the franchise).
I guess what I'm saying, is...chuck your old copy of "Batman", and replace it with THIS one!
You'll be glad you did!

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Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1970s Vol. 1 (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)I give this five stars, as I believe this is the best way to see some of these 1970's shows. Most of these have not yet been released on DVD, and to be honest: one episode is enought in some cases.
Those that have been previously released on DVD are worth the entire sets.
1962's THE JETSONS feels out of place here, but it was still in network re-runs on Saturday Mornings. However I wish another 1970's show would have bene included. As this is "volume 1" I am sure the missing shows will see their way to DVD.
These were all produced by Hanna-Barbera.
Disc #1
THE JETSONS - The Space Car (also on season 1 DVD set)
THE BATMAN TARZAN ADVENTURE HOUR
HONG KONG PHOONEY (also on complete series DVD set)
GOOBER AND THE GHOST CHASERS
SPEED BUGGY
WHEELIE AND THE CHOPPER BUNCH
Disc #2
YOGI'S GANG
AMAZING CHAN AND THE CHAN CLAN
ROMAN HOLIDAYS
JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS (also on season 1 DVD set)
THE NEW SCOOBY DOO MOVIES (also on a Best-Of DVD set)
FUNKY PHANTOM
Bonus Documentaries on THE FUNKY PHANTOM, JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS and THE CHAN CLAN.

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Re-live your childhood with this collection of 12 cartoons featuring some of the following beloved characters: Speed Buggy, Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan, Funky Phantom and many more!

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Batman Gotham Knight (Two-Disc Special Edition) (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)*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 called, "Have I got a story for you," and involves 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 Lieutenant 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 ulterior 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 how can 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. However, it doesn't really seem to bridge the gap between anything and is just an excellent stand alone animated feature.

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Acclaimed screenwriters including David Goyer (Batman Begins), Josh Olson (A History of Violence) and Alan Burnett (Batman The Animated Series) join forces with revered animation filmmakers on six spellbinding chapters chronicling Batman’s transition from novice crimefighter to Dark Knight. These globe-spanning adventures pit Batman against the fearsome Scarecrow, the freakish Killer Croc and the unerring marksman Deadshot. Using an arsenal of high-tech gadgetry from Wayne Industries, Batman’s ethical boundaries exist only where he chooses to place them, leaving some fearful of his power. The sharp storytelling, complemented by stylish art from some of the world’s most visionary animators, masterfully depicts the blurred lines of Batman as man, myth and legend.

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Batman Beyond: Season Three (DC Comics Classic Collection) (1999) Review

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(More customer reviews)The third, and last, season of Batman Beyond was a big step above the decline in quality that was found in the sub-par second season of the animated series, and thank God (or Paul Dini and Bruce Timm) for that. As the third season begins, Terry McGinnis (voiced by Will Friedle) has his hands full as the Batman of the future as old villains Ink, Zeta, and the Royal Flush Gang return. It gets better though, as Talia Al Ghul, the daughter of Ra's Al Ghul, returns and makes a stunning offer to the aging Bruce Wayne, with huge results and an even bigger twist. This episode is worth picking this DVD collection up for alone as we get to see Bruce and Terry side by side fighting. It gets better with the two-parter "The Call", as Terry gets the call of a lifetime from Superman (given a great new futuristic look) to join the Justice League in an effort to uncover a traitor, with even more shocking results! Batman also takes on Big Time, a former friend from Terry's past, and then goes toe to toe with KOBRA. Sadly though, the series comes to an end with these episodes, but there would be more Batman Beyond. The Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (the director's cut that is) was an excellent film which saw the return of Batman's greatest enemy, and as a previous reviewer already mentioned, we would see an older Terry in the Justice League Unlimited episode "Epilogue" in which Terry learns a shocking secret about his real origins (and yes, it would have been oh so nice if that episode was included in this et, because that is the true end of the series). That aside, the third season of Batman Beyond is a fantastic pick up for fans of the series or Batman in general, and if you've never seen "Epilogue", you should pick up the first season of Justice League Unlimited for that alone.

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As the new Batman, Terry has all the high-tech gear and gadgets he needs, plus Bruce Wayne's research skills and instincts. Season Three became the final season for the series, as Terry joined forces with the JLU (Justice League Unlimited) The series ended with the episode "Unmasked" which told the story of one of Terry's first missions under the cowl. Experience all the suspense and excitement of the final 13 gripping adventures in a 2-disc collection featuring the fiendish villains of the city's gritty future -- and the one hero who can stop them! DVD Features:Interviews:"Close-Up On" -- Sit down with the creative minds behind BATMAN BEYOND as they discuss their favorite moments from key episodes of the series final season: "Out of the Past"; "The Call, Part 1"; "The Call, Part 2"; "The Curse of Kobra, Part 1"Other:"Inside Batman Beyond: Volume 3'- Join the producers of BATMAN BEYOND (Bruce Timm, Alan Burnett, Paul Dini & Glen Murakami) and moderator Jason Hillhouse for the last installment of their in-depth panel discussion, focusing on the spectacular final season of the superhero series.

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Batman Begins (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition) (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)After years of not having a Batman film and mostly due to the franchise hitting bottom thanks to Joel Schumacher's disastrous "Batman forever" and "Batman and Robin", Christopher Nolan present us his version of the character with an impressive all star cast anda story brilliantly written by David S. Goyer.
The film
There were high expectations for this film before its release as if would it be as good as Burton's films, the truth is, there are no points to compare, Nolan and Burton visions are quite different from each other, but both respect the origins and essence of who the character is.
Goyer took some liberties in the storytelling that could be considered as unforgivable by many fans (Bruce's parents are originally killed after seeing "Mark of Zorro" at the movie theater, a fact that marks Bruce's mind with the idea of a masked vigilante) but also hints at stuff that the previous versions let pass unnoticed, the main focus of this film are the origins of Batman and his training to become what he ultimately is. Even though the detective part of Bruce's training is not even mentioned, the twist in which Ra's Al Ghul (Liam Neeson) is the one who trained him in the ninja arts and theatricality just makes their conflict more delightful and interesting. Cameos and appearances of characters from the comic book are also well used, justified and important to the story (Carmine Falcone and killer Zsaz)
The story uses the two villains exactly as they would act in the comic book, Ra's Al Ghul with his constant desire to set thing right his way and Jonathan Crane (Cillian Murphy) working and experimenting with the thing he enjoys the most: fear. Even though the Scarecrow is totally the opposite of the comic book (in the comic Jonathan Crane is an old and ugly doctor who was fired from Gotham University for experimenting on the students with his gas of fear), the character presented keeps the essence and motives that the original character has, unlike the Riddler, Mr Freeze, Two Face or Poison Ivy in Schumacher's awful versions.
A new Gotham city is presented, much more like a NY city style, a new Batmobile (not as fancy as the previous ones but quite impressive) and a whole set of characters we expect to see in future releases, James Gordon (Gary Oldman who amazingly looks exactly as Jim in the comic), Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Caine), Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), Jonathan Crane, Carmine Falcone and Ra's Al Ghul.
Masterfully executed by the whole cast and brilliantly directed by Nolan, there are many of us looking forward for a sequel to this film.
The extras
Disc one contains Mtv's "Tankman Begins", a spoof we could have lived without but without any doubt a collector's piece for all Mtv fans.
Disc two contains a set of documentaries related to all aspects of production and shooting of the film, from the early beginnings in Nolan's washing room until the shooting of some of the most difficult sequences of the film. The disc 2 is organized in a comic book-like format which makes it a little difficult to follow as many things are like hidden, but if you go until the end of the short and pointless story, you will find a list with all documentaries available. One of the documentaries called "Genesis of the bat" presents comic book artist related to Batman talking about the character and film, from Dennis O'Neil to Jim Lee. I am sure this will be a piece fans of the comic book will enjoy. All extras are worthy of watching and I strongly recommend the 2 disc set, it is a 5 o 6 dollar difference that will compensate with all the facts and items found in the bonus materials.
***BluRay review***
I had already written a review for this film when the two-disc special edition was released on DVD, so I will not get into any details about how great the movie is.
The treatment they gave to this release is incredible, image looks great and colors are stunning, the high definition definitely makes a difference and 'Batman Begins' looks better than ever (simply check out the ice sequence between Bruce and Ducard)
I have seen threads with questions as to what exactly does the limited edition set contains versus the regular single disc, so here are what I think are the most important ones:
The Disc
The disc included here is the same disc they released separately:
* All the extras from the 2-disc DVD are included, the documentaries and the awful 'Tankman Begins'
* The prologue to 'The Dark Knight' in high definition (are we in for a treat when released on Bluray!) This is basically the bank robbery scene that opens the sequel.
The Extras
The USB with 18 the stills from 'The Dark Knight' included in the DVD version of the gift set IS NOT INCLUDED in the Bluray gift set; don't know what the reason is but it would have made sense to include it in both versions.
The postcards included are selections from the art created to promote 'Batman Begins', in my opinion some of the images look simple and overall they are not that great.
The two comic books included are a joke! One is a comic book adaptation of the same 6 minutes prologue included in this edition (the bank robbery), the other one is the script with pictures of the same 6 minute prologue! I am a collector and big fan of Batman and even I find this ridiculous and overpriced.
The $7.50 coupon to see 'The Dark Knight' in theaters.
Bottom-line, I would give 3 stars to the BluRay release, not to the movie itself (which is great and looks superb in HD) but to the release. I am having buyer's remorse, don't be fooled by what the product description says, it may sound interesting but had I known the extras would be as they are, I would have gone for the cheaper single disc edition.

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Batman Begins explores the origins of the Batman legend and the Dark Knight's emergence as a force for good in Gotham. In the wake of his parents' murder, disillusioned industrial heir Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) travels the world seeking the means to fight injustice and turn fear against those who prey on the fearful. He returns to Gotham and unveils his alter-ego: Batman, a masked crusader who uses his strength, intellect and an array of high tech deceptions to fight the sinister forces that threaten the city.DVD Features:DVD ROM Features:Batman Begins Mobile Game Demo & Weblinks Documentaries:Genesis of the Bat: Batman Incarnations from the Mid-1980s to the Present The Journey Begins: Creative Concepts, Story Development and Casting Shaping Mind and Body: Fighting Style Gotham City Rises: Production Design Cape and Cowl: The New Batsuit The Tumbler: The New Batmobile Documentary:Path to Discovery: Filming in Iceland Saving Gotham City: The Monorail Chase Sequence Easter EggsFeaturette:Confidential Files Character/Weaponry Gallery Interactive Menus:INNER DEMONS COMIC: Explore the special features through an exclusive interactive comic bookOther:Batman: The Man Who Falls - a classic story that inspired Batman Begins Batman: The Long Halloween - a chilling excerpt that also inspired the filmPhoto galleryTheatrical Trailer

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Defendor Review

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(More customer reviews)While marketed as a comedy, Defendor is actually a dark and touching crime drama. But while you can't expect Woody's comedy antics a la Zombieland, expect one of the best performances of his career.
By day, Arthur Poppington is a construction worker with a below-average IQ. By night, he's Defendor, dishing out justice with makeshift weapons (reminding us in his gruff Batman voice that "guns are for cowards"). But while the movie starts out light and funny, it evolves into something both dark and sad. With the flood of recent superhero movies, Defendor reminds us that reality isn't always so super.
The real story here is the unlikely friendship between Defendor and a drug-addicted prostitute, in his ongoing mission to take down Captain Industry. Woody is terrific in the role, bouncing between his wacky self and a vulnerable man-child who still believes in justice.
For this being his first directing gig, Peter Stebbings hits a bullseye. There's great cinematography and lighting, and Stebbings playfully throws out a few superhero flick cliches. John Rowley serves up one of the best movie scores I've heard in a while, with a powerful and dark superhero soundtrack. The supporting cast is also top-notch, from Elias Koteas and Sandra Oh to Clark Johnson (The Wire/Homicide).
You will enjoy this movie if you go into it with the understanding that it's not a comedy. It's a dark drama with splashes of humor and violence, and a very powerful ending.

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Arthur Poppington (2009 Golden Globe® Nominee Woody Harrelson) doesn’t need superpowers or fancy toys to fight crime. Armed only with a childlike sense of wonder and his quirky arsenal of cheap, homemade gadgets, he becomes DEFENDOR! He finds an unexpected partner when he rescues and falls for a local prostitute (Kat Dennings, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist). Can the two of them take down the city’s most fearsome crime boss without getting killed in the process?

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Batman: The Brave and the Bold - Season One, Part One Review

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(More customer reviews)My review will cover two parts. First let's talk about the show. When I first heard about it, I had my doubts. I grew up on the great "Batman: The Animated Series" and loved "The Batman," especially at the end. But when this came out I first thought they had ran out of ideas for Batman. I was wrong, it mixes action like from the last two shows and adds in humor in such a perfect amount for Batman that it comes off as enjoyable instead of cheesy.
Now as for the release. I agree with everyone else here, this should be the FULL season one. I hate when the studio release half a season of a show. Disney did it with "Gargoyles: Season Two," and Warner has done it with "The Real Adventures of Johnny Quest: Season One, both of which may never see the rest of their season on DVD. Warner has also done it with other shows like "Tiny Toons"and "Smurfs." Is it a cheep underhand move to try and force the consumer to fork over more money then they would for releasing these seasons whole? Sure is. Is it right? Nope, in fact it turns consumers off. But that fact is the way these studios think, if this set does not sell, good luck seeing much more of this show on DVD, even if it is Batman. "Gargoyles" and "Real Adventures of Johnny Quest" have shown that already.
Bottom line, despite how wrong it may be, if you love this show and want to see more of it on DVD, buy this release.

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RISE OF THE BLUE BEETLE,TERROR ON DINOSAUR ISLAND,EVIL UNDER THE SEA,INVASION OF THE SECRET SANTAS,DAY OF THE DARK KNIGHT,ENTER THE OUTSIDERS,DAWN OF THE DEAD MAN,FALL OF THE BLUE BEETLE, JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE BAT,EYES OF DESPERO,RETURN OF THE FEARSOME FANGS,DEEP COVER FOR BATMAN,GAME OVER FOR OWLMAN

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Batman: Under the Red Hood Review

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(More customer reviews)I've liked most of the DC's recent forays into animation on varying levels, but none of them really hit the mark for me. The scripts in those other titles just weren't good enough and brought the entire production down. Many of them had excellent voice actors and animation, but that couldn't save a poor script.
Batman: Under the Red Hood is different.
Managing to cram five different arcs from the comics into a movie just under 90 minutes is impressive. Managing to do that and keep the entire thing remarkably faithful and have it turn out well is on another level.
The movie starts off with the final moments of the comic arc 'Death in the Family' featured in Batman #426-429, where the Joker sadistically kills Jason Todd aka the second Robin. This scene isn't extremely graphic and most of the violence is kept off screen, but as other reviewers have warned please take the PG-13 rating seriously. From there the story jumps forward five years and compresses Batman #635-650, taking bits and pieces from all four story arcs, to form the rest of the movie. Yes, there are changes. Some are large, including writing out Superboy Prime's role (which is a very very good thing). Others are smaller, from leaving out certain characters and subplots to changing how the Red Hood gets a hold of the Joker. None of these truly matter, as the heart of the story has been distilled and streamlined in a very faithful way.
So faithful are they that some of the dialogue is taken straight out of the comics, including the finale. This is how comic adaptations should be done.
For the most part the cast is excellent, though there will be fans that are disgruntled over fan favorites Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill not contributing. They've defined their respective characters for so long that many, including myself, have a hard time accepting new voice actors in their stead. Bruce Greenwood proved a lot of people wrong though, and I could see him voicing Batman from here on out.
John DiMaggio had the biggest shoes to fill though, and didn't quite do it for me. His Joker was a cross between Ledger's movie portrayal and Hamill's animation counterpart, and while not bad by any means, just didn't sound right to me. It didn't help that I kept hearing Bender from Futurama, either. The laugh was almost perfect, but his speaking voice was just...too husky. This is absolutely going to be up to individual preference though. His line delivery is excellent and there's nothing wrong with his performance. I'm just too used to Hamill, I guess.
The rest of the cast is spot on and practically a dream cast. Neil Patrick Harris is great as the light hearted, cracking wise Nightwing. Jensen Ackles is given the difficult task of voicing a character that covers the entire emotional spectrum during the course of the movie, and does it well. Jason Isaacs is by far the best Ra's al Ghul we've had. But my personal favorite has to be Wade Williams as Black Mask. He IS that character for me now.
Batman: Under the Red Hood is easily on par with Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, that other excellent animated film. It very well may end up being better after additional viewings if I can put Hamill as the Joker behind me. I really hope this is a sign of things to come from DC's animation division.

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Batman faces his ultimate challenge as the mysterious Red Hood takes Gotham City by firestorm. One part vigilante, one part criminal kingpin, Red Hood begins cleaning up Gotham with the efficiency of Batman, but without following the same ethical code. Killing is an option. And when the Joker falls in the balance between the two, hard truths are revealed and old wounds are reopened.

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The Batman Superman Movie (1998) Review

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(More customer reviews)This will be included on the Superman Volume 2 set from the Animated Series. So don't waste your money unless you want the special features.

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BATMAN SUPERMAN MOVIE - DVD Movie

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DC Super Heroes: The Filmation Adventures (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)If you bought The New Adventures of Superman - (DC Comics Classic Collection)or The Adventures of Aquaman - The Complete Collection (DC Comics Classic Collection), you have seen most of the episodes of 1966's the Superman/Aquaman Hour. These superhero cartoons were bookend between a superman or an aquaman episode. If you love classic animation of the 1960 DC heroes, this DVD is what you need to get.
1966, I remember parking my butt on the couch in front of the tv set and watching these shows. Similar to what kids do today with shows like Ben 10, TMNT and Johnny Test. These cartoon are over 40 years old and the quality is still thereHere's what you will be getting on this collection:
Justice League--
Between Two Armies
Target Earth
Bad Day of Black MoutainTeen Titans
The Monster Machine
Monster Roundup
Operation Rescue The Flash
The Chemo Creature
Take A Giant Step
To Catch a Blue BoltGreen Lantern
Evil is as Evil Does
The Vanishing World
Sirena, The Empress of EvilHawkman
Peril from Pluto
A Visit to Venus
the 23th DimensionThe Atom
Invasion of the Beetle People
The Planet Master
House of DoomYou must rememember these are the 1960's incarnation of these DC heroes. They are well done Saturday Morning animation. It is not as slick as today's animation. I have seen all of these cartoon at Science Fiction conventions. These mini 6-8 adventures are well crafted, just not as special effected as today's toons are.
This DVD collection is good stuff for DC Cartoon fans, completests of Filmation animation (It is a shame that the Filmation Tarzan is not available) or people who just like a short cartoon adventure with her or her favorite hero
So Get these and relive your childhood
Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD

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Item Name: DC Super Heroes: The Filmation Adventures; Studio:Warner Home Video

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Batman: The Animated Series, Vol. 1 (1992) Review

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(More customer reviews)Warner Bros. started releasing episodes of the award-winning "Batman: The Animated Series" (BTAS to fans) on DVD in miserly single-disc editions containing four or five episodes apiece. Fan complaints and common sense have finally made Warner Bros. realize the potential of this acclaimed and hugely popular series and have released the first volume of episodes in a deluxe package: 4 discs, 28 episodes. The shows are presented in production order, with a few variations to put the multi-part episodes together. The sound is an improved Dolby Surround 2.0, and the picture is beautiful. There are some extras -- not a huge amount -- but the real feature here is the shows themselves. There has rarely been an animated show that has achieved this level of quality writing and artwork. Heck, rarely do LIVE action shows achieve this sort of quality!
BTAS was released as children's programming originally, but the animators, directors, and writers turned it into something of adult complexity (not that kids don't love it too, but adults tend to be the biggest fans, mostly comic book lovers). Freed of the constraints of selling toys, the filmmakers created an intricate show that was true to the dark, psychological side of Batman and his adversaries. Instead of sticking to boring formulas usually associated with animated TV shows, the writers made sure each episode was something unique, and kept drama always at the forefront. The animation is spectacular and fluid, the action scenes have a kick to them superior to many movies, and the orchestral scores contribute to the feeling of something special.
Not all the episodes are great, of course, and some of the early ones in this package show the creative team struggling to discover the direction and tone of the show. But most episodes are good to excellent in quality. The writing team did a spectacular job at fleshing out minor baddies like Mr. Freeze, The Clock King, and The Mad Hatter into the full-fledged great villains with complex motivations. The voice work by familiar TV and movie actors also raises the quality of the characterizations. For many people, Kevin Conroy IS Batman...his dark, edgy voice is forever rooted to the character.
Here is a breakdown of the episodes and features on the four discs:
DISC 1: Contains episodes "On Leather Wings," "Christmas with the Joker," "Nothing to Fear," "The Last Laugh," "Pretty Poison," "The Underdwellers," and "P.O.V." The first episode is the best on this disc, with Batman facing the fearsome Man-Bat. The show really hit the ground running, but the immediate follow-ups are a bit weak. "P.O.V." has moments of interest because of its unusual structure, and "Nothing to Fear" has a great finale, but the two Joker episodes are particularly poor; the show hadn't quite figured out its style yet. Also on this disc is commentary by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski for "On Leather Wings," and a two-minute demo they did to sell the look of the series.
DISC 2: Contains episodes "The Forgotten," "Be a Clown," "Two Face (Parts 1&2)," "It's Never Too Late," "I've Got Batman in My Basement," and "Heart of Ice." The last is one of the most popular episode of the series, introducing the fantastic re-imagining of Mr. Freeze as a tragic figure. "Two-Face" is also a superb villain origin story. The other episodes are minor, with a poor Joker and Penguin episode, but "It's Never Too Late" is an interesting non-super-villain story. The bonus feature on this disc is a great 18-minute documentary about the series, with interviews with the producers, writers, and some of the actors. There's also audio commentary on "Heart of Ice" with Timm, Radomski, and writer Paul Dini.
DISC 3: Contains episodes "The Cat and the Claw (Parts 1&2)," "See No Evil," "Beware of the Gray Ghost," "Prophecy of Doom," and "Feat of Clay (Parts 1&2)." The show was clearly taking off at this point; only "Prophecy of Doom" is a poor episode. "Beware the Gray Ghost" brings back Adam West to the Batman series, and is one of the most inspirational of all the episodes. "Feat of Clay" contains stunning animation, and "Cat and Claw" gives us the wonderful relationship between Batman and Catwoman. The bonus feature is a Batcave tour, basically a few screens of text and some connected montages of images from the show.
DISC 4: Contains episodes "The Joker's Favor," "Vendetta," "Fear of Victory," "The Clock King," "Appointment in Crime Alley," "Mad as a Hatter," and "Dreams in Darkness." Two lesser villains, Clock King and Mad Hatter, become the focus of great episodes. "The Joker's Favor" is one of the best Joker episodes, and introduces Harley Quinn, who would become one of the show's most popular creations. The two Scarecrow episodes aren't much, however. The bonus feature is a plug for some of the other DC heroes.
One warning: If you buy this package, be prepared to see your free time get drained away! It's impossible to stop watching episodes once you start, and most of them reward multiple viewings. Recommended as a MUST for all animation and super-hero fans.

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BATMAN:ANIMATED SERIES VOL 1 - DVD Movie

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