Batman learns he has a son, Damian – and to further complicate matters, the mother is Talia al Ghul, daughter of one of his most dreaded enemies, Ra’s Al Ghul. When the odds quickly turn against Batman and Damian, Batman must become both father and mentor to the aggressive, agile new Robin. Together they form an uneasy alliance to try and thwart the criminal enterprise of Deathstroke.
Via DC Comics
The Animation
The style that used in this film lines up with what has been used in the latest DC animated movies. From Flashpoint Paradox to Justice League War. They are going to more of an Anime type style, including the use of blood. It is not overly excessive, but if you are not accustomed to this style of film you will notice it. It is dark and well done, what you would expect from a Batman movie.
The Story
As far as stories go this one is only similar to the comics by having Damian the son of Batman and Talia Al Ghul. It hints at the origin of the 'HOW' and 'WHY' without being overly complicated, or lude. The whole point of Damian is Legacy. Whether it is from the viewpoint of Ra's Al Ghul, or that of Bruce Wayne. Without the risk of giving everything away, there is a new player in tow, Deathstroke. He shows up at the beginning of the movie and shows that he is the antagonist that Batman and Robin need to defeat. Yes Damian is the new Robin.
Nightwing is in the story also. At one point Damian asks him if the Robin suit used to be his, he responds by telling Damian it still is his. This is a Robin story, not Batman and Robin. That being said it is no surprise that Batman takes a back seat to the story. He is the new Father figure that has different methods to dealing with vengeance than that of a boy raised in the League of Assassins. Deathstroke comes across as an decent advisory, but I have a few issues I will pick up on next.
The Voice Cast
I have a few quarrels with the casting in this one. Batman is again voiced by Jason O'Mara. This keeps this movie tied to what DC is doing with its all its animated movies, making them more New 52 and keeping the same voice talent. I have grown used to hearing him, and he has seemed to improve over time.
Ra's Al Ghul is Voiced by Giancarlo Esposito known best as 'Gus' on breaking bad. The performance was a little dry. I mainly blame the script. The lines he was given seemed empty. Ra's is a bigger than life persona, that needs to flow not only from how he looks, but what he says as well.
Deathstroke is voiced by Thomas Gibson of Criminal Minds fame. I might be biased, but I have grown accustomed to hearing Manu Bennett in the roll on Arrow. Also Ron Perlman did his voice on Teen Titans and Flashpoint Paradox. So I expected more, but with that being said it is a minor detail that after the first few lines I ignored.
Sean Maher of Firefly and recently Arrow fame, Voices Nightwing. He comes across as believable. He is not a major player, but adds to some of the character development of Damian, not to mention some kick butt action when he is shown.
As I stated at the beginning of the post Damian is not my favourite Robin, but I found that I rather enjoyed Stuart Allan as the new Boy Wonder. He brought enough pride, pomp and circumstance to the part that made me actually like the character.
The Action
There are quite a few fighting scenes in this movie. Most are well done. Batman has to remind his new protege that they don't use swords, they don't Kill! Like with all Batman related movies with sidekicks, will they listen, will they learn there is another way for vengence other than murder for murder. Damian being a trained assassin is quite capable of defending himself. There is one fight that actually is not shown, only the end result making you want more, and wondering how it turned out the way it did. If you watch all the credits it teases you with scenes of this fight. It might have been for times sake, or just a way of showing it in a different light.
Final Thoughts
This is one in the long line of DC animated movies, but it can be taken as a standalone piece. The Animation is steller, place that with the story of a father and son dynamic that you have not seen in a Batman movie before. I can say that although it might have its flaws, what movie does not. It is the ability to look past those and see the movie for what it is. A story of Legacy. As long as Ra's Al Ghul looked for that successor he could never find it. Not even in the Dark Knight himself who Ra's wanted so badly to be his replacement. Batman had a Robin that became Nightwing, after he pushed him too far. With the introduction of Damian to him he now has a true son and Legacy to leave behind, but this is only the beginning.
Son of Batman Trailer
*POSIBLE SPOILERS IN CLIPS*
Batman Vs Killer Croc Clip
Damian vs Shrubbery Clip
Batman & Robin Vs Man-bats Clip
Son of Batman will be released on May 6th, 2014 on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, and Digital Download.
Will you see the movie when it comes out?
What did you think of the trailer and clips?
I got side-tracked with watching the JUSTICE LEAGUE WAR video. The animation looks great in SON OF BATMAN -- if only the non-animation Batman movies could be as well done!
ReplyDeleteJustice League War was well done also. Fingers crossed that Batman vs Superman, or whatever they are going to call it will do well.
ReplyDeleteThe animation is superb. Has a Japanese anime flair to it.
ReplyDeleteRon Pearlman is one of the voices? Or he was in other films?
Cool you got to see this two weeks early!
Damian just looks like he'd be evil. It's in the eyes. I like that Batman takes a back seat for a bit. Makes for a more interesting movie, I think. Good to see things from a different perspective.
ReplyDeleteit seems the bat has been using his bat in a very naughty way .....
ReplyDeleteRon did the Voice of Deathstroke in Teen Titans and Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox. He also did Clayface in the original BTAS.
ReplyDeleteDamian has an evil to him because his Grandfather is Ra's Al Ghul, and he was trained from birth by the League of Assassins. I say this, but he has Wayne DNA and he has respect for his father.
ReplyDeleteHA! Well to his defence she is rather nice on the eyes.
ReplyDeleteFrom your description it sounds like the Under the Hood adaptation.
ReplyDeleteThat is a similar representation. Loosley based in comic lore, but with the idea still coming across.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I have no idea if I'll be seeing this anytime soon, but if my nephews visit, I'm definitely keeping this in mind!
ReplyDeleteDepending on the age of you nephews, there is blood by swords and bullets, but no cursing that I remember. My son is sensitive to blood in movies, but was ok for this one it is not overly used.
ReplyDeleteI have to wonder why Batman was fooling around with the daughter of a villain. That seems a little messed up. Cool animation!
ReplyDeleteI could explain it here, but I don't want to spoil too much.
ReplyDeleteDeadly write up for the movie, can't wait really. l dig the gifs, did you make them yourself with irfanview?
ReplyDeleteIt was better than I thought it would be going in.
ReplyDeleteI try to label all my sources unfortunately sometimes they get lost. I do use different sites to make my own and I have a Roxio program that comes in handy.
Awesome review David! I was looking forward to this, but now it's a must-buy.
ReplyDeleteThanks! DC animation in most cases are safe buys, but it is nice to see it before you purchase it, or read a review that confirms what you thought.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to watch that at some point. I don't think I read those comics, but I read some of the later Damian-related ones. Let's hope he doesn't meet the fat of Damien in the comics.
ReplyDeleteThat is one of the reasons I thought of all the New 52 comic lines to do they do this one. I know he predates New 52, but that is where they are heading with all of this why introduce him just to have the things that happen to him happened.That being said, it still is a great movie.
ReplyDeleteholy son of batman that's cool!!
ReplyDeleteHA! you always have something witty to say!
ReplyDeleteHey David,
ReplyDeleteNow that was such an in-depth write up. I reckon my son wants to see it when it gets released over here in lil' ol' England. In the meantime, I'm off to where Batman and son of Batman gets their clothes. Yep, Cape Town.
Gary :)
They might have to fight the other heroes to get the ones they want!
ReplyDelete