The latest entry into the new DCAU ( NuDCAU...that's a thing right?) comes to us in the form of Batman vs Robin, another Robin centric film that happens to have Batman in it but this time having Robin as the focus doesn't help the film; that's right, it's that kind of review.
I want to start off by saying that I wanted to like this movie, like really I needed to like a DC animated film after the new direction but this was probably the least I've enjoyed a DCAU..well anything. The plot meanders along until the death of Dollmaker, a D list villain at best, leads Batman and Robin to the Court of the Owls but there is a lot more meandering in between for all you fans of meandering ( it's a funny word isn't it? Meandering). Wanna see Damian and Bruce argue the majority of the film like they did in the last one? Gotcha covered. Oh you want to see some "father and son bonding" moments? We got that too sorta, spoiler alert they watch a movie together! What's that? You wanna see Nightwing? Well hell yeah he's in it but in an even more reduced role than ever before. Watch as the first Robin gets beaten not only by the current Robin (for the 2nd time) but also by newcomer Talon, makes you wonder just what the hell he's been doing since going solo. Speaking of Talon, wow did they ruin this character. Talon, in the comics, is introduced as a mysterious character we know nothing about and builds up that mystery for quite a while, it's actually pretty
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| At least the fight scenes provided some enjoyment |
The voice acting in this was really flat, no one aside from maybe Alfred and Damian even sounded like they wanted to be in the recording booth. Jeremy Sisto's Talon tries to be menacing but comes off as petulant and brash, not befitting for someone who is a top level assassin. O'Mara just doesn't have the gravitas to pull of the Batman grim darkness, he sounds like an old man even though Bruce is supposed to be in his early 30s. Nightwing is as wooden as they come but the biggest sin is that they actually had Kevin Conroy in the cast and wasted him as Thomas Wayne. FREAKING THOMAS WAYNE! YOU HAVE THE BEST GODDAMN BATMAN VA AND YOU DON'T LET HIM BE BATMAN? I heard Thomas speak and instantly felt both joy and sadness that he was in this movie....don't do this to yourself Kevin, you at least have the Arkham series.
I know this sounds like a bunch of nitpicking, it probably is, but I had such high hopes for this film. Why you may ask? Because this was the story that could have really elevated the current crop of DCAU films to that of the glory days ( I'm talking JL: Doom, Under the Red Hood, Flashpoint). The original Court of Owls storyline was magnificent, it perfectly played upon Bruce's arrogance and introduced an enemy too powerful for Batman to take on by himself; in fact he had the whole Bat Family help him in the fight for the soul of Gotham. The film completely ignores the other members and reduces the threat and magnitude of the Court..I mean seriously, once you realize Talon's motivations you'll wonder why he even went through all the trouble in the first place. God, this could have been epic, they could have did it in 2 parts like TDKR with the first film being the set up and the second the epic pay off but instead they opted for a poor adaptation of a fantastic story all just so they could force Damian in the mix. Hey DC/WB, I thought I was getting a Batman film not Robin ft Batman and hey look there's Nightwing being useless. Sigh...I can't believe that this is the quality of films the company that made Flashpoint is putting out now.
Basically unless you are a die hard Batman/ DC fan ( and maybe even then) I would suggest skipping this film, you are not missing out on anything I promise.
*Seriously Nightwing is so completely useless in these films, what gives? He adds nothing to the story other than the tired "shadow of the first" trope and what the hell decade is he in dressing like that?
** Also I know O'Mara was Batman in Under the Red Hood, didn't like his voice then and still dont but the film itself was atleast good.
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