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 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: 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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Scooby-Doo Meets Batman Review

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(More customer reviews)The "Scooby Doo meets Batman" DVD is campy fun featuring the two appearances made by Batman & Robin on The New Scooby Doo Movies (1972-1973). In "The Dynamic Scooby Doo Affair", The gang teams up with Batman & Robin for a wacky showdown in the funhouse against the Joker & the Penguin. In "The Caped Crusader Caper", Batman & Robin join the gang to once again stop the crazy villainous duo Penguin & Joker, this time from attempting to steal a flying suit from the word fumbling Professor Flakey. There are some cool extras like elapsed time footage of animators drawing both Scooby & Shaggy and interview clips of the original voice actors. As cool as this DVD is though, you may want to instead invest in the upcoming 4 DVD set release "The Best of the New Scooby Doo Movies" featuring 15 out of the 24 that aired including both of these Batman & Robin episodes. However, if you're only interested in the Batman & Robin appearances then this DVD is for you.
Goofs:
*There are always some animation slip ups in cartoons, but not always as hilarious as Batman with no pants! Watch for it!
Trivia:
*"The New Scooby Doo Movies" are double the length of an episode of the original "Scooby Doo Where are You?" show. They were aired in an hour block. On DVD they run around 40 minutes each.
*"The Best of the New Scooby Doo Movies" 4 DVD box set features episodes with guests the Three Stooges, Jonathan Winters, Don Knotts, Laurel & Hardy, the Harlem Globetrotters, Don Adams, Speed Buggy, Mama Cass, and Dick Van Dyke. Curiously, episodes with the Addams Family, Phyllis Diller, Sonny & Cher, Sandy Duncan, Davy Jones, Jerry Reed, Tim Conway, toon characters Josie & the Pussycats and Jeannie & Babu were not included. Instead the set chooses to have the multiple appearances by the Stooges (2), Batman & Robin (2), Knotts (2) and the Globetrotters (3).

*Both Shaggy & Robin are voiced by radio personality Casey Kasem.
*The genius Don Messick who is of course Scooby also voiced Astro from the Jetsons, Droopy the dog, Boo Boo & Ranger Smith of Yogi fame, Dr. Quest & Bandit from Jonny Quest, Papa Smurf & Azrael from The Smurfs and that goofy dog Mutley from Wacky Races...just to name a few!
Also recommended: The 4 DVD set Scooby Doo Where Are You? - Seasons 1 & 2 (which is actually the entire series!)

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They move like shadows in the night. Protecting the innocent, thwarting injustice and stuffing themselves with Scooby snacks! That's right - the most legendary names in crime-fighting history join forces as Scooby-Doo and the Mystery, Inc. gang team up with Batman and Robin. The action begins as The Joker and The Penguin try to cash in on a crooked counterfeiting scheme only to be foiled by the Dynamic Trio of Batman, Robin and Scooby-Doo! But, The Joker and The Penguin return to try and steal a flying suit until Scooby-Doo and the gang prove that with a little Bat-help, they have what it takes to bring the sky-high scoundrels back to earth!DVD Features:DVD ROM FeaturesInteractive MenusMusic VideoOtherScene AccessTheatrical Trailer

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The New Adventures of Batman - (DC Comics Classic Collection) (1977) Review

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(More customer reviews)Featuring the voices of Batman's Adam West and Burt Ward as Batman/Bruce Wayne and Robin/Dick Grayson, The New Adventures of Batman (1977) was the 2nd Batman animated series produced by Filmation for CBS following their 1968 Batman animated series.
Though Filmation retained most of the '60s show's character designs and production art for the '70s series, The New Adventures of Batman's use of rotoscoping (tracing over live footage) coupled with West and Ward's vocal performances gave the '70s show its artistic edge. Like most Filmation shows, educational messages were addressed at the end of every episode via "Bat-message."
The New Adventures of Batman is a 2-disc Complete Series set featuring all 16 episodes; Full Frame (1.33:1) video; Dolby Surround Stereo audio; plus the following Special Feature:
"The Dark Knight Revisited": Featurette examines the legacy of Filmation and its depiction of the DC character through interviews; and explores the split between Filmation's lighter comedic version of the character and the darker brooding Detective Comics version of the time.
Episodes:
1. The Pest
2. The Moonman
3. Trouble Identity
4. A Sweet Joke On Gotham City
5. The Bermuda Rectangle
6. Curses! Oiled Again!
7. Bite-Sized
8. Reading, Writing & Wronging
9. The Chameleon
10. He Who Laughs Last
11. The Deep Freeze
12. Dead Ringers
13. Birds Of A Feather Fool Around Together
14. Have An Evil Day (Part 1)
15. Have An Evil Day (Part 2)
16. This Looks Like A Job For Bat-Mite!Classic '70s Filmation series finally on DVD!

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The New Adventures of Batman is an animated series produced by Filmation in 1977 featuring the adventures of the DC Comics superheroes, Batman, Robin and often Batgirl. In this series, Batman, Robin and Batgirl battle various villians in Gotham City. Complicating things however is the presence of Batmite, a other-dimensional imp who considers himself the biggest fan of Batman and insists on helping him, regardless of whether Batman wants it or not.DVD Features:Audio Commentary:"Bat-Commentary" - An audio commentary from Filmation historian Michael Swanigan and Filmation founder Lou Schiemer on two of the episodes from the series.Documentary:Dark Versus Light Filmation and the Batman - (1977 marked Batman's return to television in Filmations New Adventures of Batman. Â With interviews ranging from the President of DC Comics to the President of Warner Bros. Animation, the legacy of Filmation will be examined from animation style, to how this core DC character was depicted in this series.

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