World Famous Comics: Batman Gotham Knight (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Batman Gotham Knight (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Starring: Corey Burton, Kevin Conroy, Gary Dourdan, Jason Marsden, David McCallum Directed By: Yasuhiro Aoki, Shojiro Nishimi Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) Binding: DVD Format: AC-3, Animated, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Special Edition, Widescreen, NTSC Label: Warner Home Video Number of Items: 2 Region Code: 1 Release Date: July 08, 2008 Running Time: 76 minutes Theatrical Release Date: July 08, 2008
Product Description: 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.Running Time: 75 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY UPC: 883929011155 Manufacturer No: 1000037297
A work of both tradition & vision I have now watched the DVD movie GOTHAM KNIGHTS twice and I have to say that not only does it bear watching more than once, I think it needs more than one viewing to really appreciate all that it holds. The 6 chapters DO hold together much better than some of the reviewers have said and yet each episode or chapter also can stand by itself. It also builds a bridge from the film BATMAN BEGINS to the new one, THE DARK KNIGHT, but again, it is a subtle bridge and can be enjoyed all on its own. It also builds a bridge of sorts between the comic book Batman and the film version.
The animation is breathtaking in parts and works well throughout to tell the story (stories).
It is very interesting and a great device to have the great Kevin Conroy voicing Batman (and of course, Bruce Wayne) throught all 6 chapters. It brings continuity since the animation style changes from episode to episode. And all the voice acting throughout was wondeful. It was cool having David McCallum (of MAN FROM UNCLE fame), playing Alfred the Butler, and he did a superb job. And it is always nice to hear actors like Corey Burton and George Newburn, regulars in DCU animation doing various characters throughout.
I liked all 6 chapters, but my favorite was "Working Through Pain". This one had a lot of resonance for me beyond the story. For lack of a better way of saying it, it was the most "spiritual" of the stories (and not only because of the setting in India!)
I highly recommend this for true Batman fans (and IMHO, those the ones who are flexible and understand how flexible and diverse the character can be).
I also think many anime fans will like this.
NOT THE BATMAN I KNOW! Let me start out saying this movie is not for kids. It has to much blood for one reason. The film actually curses as well. I thought this movie would be good but I was wrong. The movie first off has japanese animation which I do not enjoy. This batman seires has nothing to do with the comics. I read them. Let me just say this movie should be rated R. It has a stupid dialouge as well.
Animated Series Fans WILL Be Disappointed ! I agree with everyone that gave this one star. Poor, poor, poor story lines. The shorts are supposed to fit together to present a bigger picture, but are disjointed. If you like Manga, you will enjoy the animation, but the first short is even too weird for Manga fans I think. Looks like someone under the influence of Scarecrow. If you gotta have it, borrow it from someone and copy it. I bought it first day out, now it's a bookend.
Less than Impressive I'd seen this DVD advertised lately, coinciding the period that the movie "The Dark Knight" hit theaters (which I have already seen, and is an amazing film). Being a fan of Batman, I was excited to rent this. The advertisements stated some of the writers of "The Dark Knight" were involved in this, and upon looking the cast over at my local Blockbuster, my excitement grew when I saw that Bruce Timm (one of the Executive Producers of the Batman: The Animated Series cartoon) was involved, and Batman himself was being voiced by Kevin Conroy (the voice of Batman in said series). Now, I have a lot of respect for Batman: The Animated Series. It was often done really well, even for a 30 minute cartoon. It could be a little grown up, but without being too harsh for kids to watch. And personally, Kevin Conroy voicing Bruce Wayne/Batman is one of my favorite incarnations of the character, along with Christian Bale as the current big screen Batman. I'll even go as far as to say the writers of said series should have been the ones to write the 90's era Batman movies. And now we come to Batman: Gotham Knight. This DVD was a big letdown. It indeed is six Batman stories. "Interlocking" is not a word I'd use to describe them though (as the ads promoted "Six interlocking stories"). More like, casually related to. If at all. For instance, one story involves Batman fighting off some gangs, one of which is a Russian gang. In another, Batman stops a gang fight (one of the gangs being Russian), and establishes for them which one stays on what turf, since he doesn't have the evidence to put away either of them yet. That's about as far as the stories are related. They're short (about 12 to 15 my guess), and thus there isn't much time to cover a lot of ground. Some stories might have been worthwhile if they had been given enough time develop, and had more story to add. Bruce Timm and Alan Burnett (also from the Animated Series) may have been involved, but this is certainly not their best work. And while I really like Kevin Conroy as Batman in said series, his voice doesn't fit in here. Basically, Bruce Wayne is supposed to be younger here, and the animation reflects that. Conroy's voice simply doesn't sound right coming from this cartoon. It just doesn't fit. He's a lot better as a middle aged or older Batman. Another thing to note: it appears that this was meant to be a series of in between stories after Batman Begins, but before The Dark Knight. Hmmm.... Just like different writers were given the task of writing the episodes, it appears that different animators were given the task of animating them. The art varies, sometimes it's good, sometimes it's just plain awful (I'm thinking specifically of the first story, where characters are drawn somewhat plumpy looking, with slender limbs). Well, what else can I say? This just doesn't have a very well done feel to it. More like Warner Brothers said "Hey, we've got this new Batman movie hitting theaters in the summer, make us a bunch of crappy cartoons so we can sell them direct to video and make some more money". Maybe "crappy" is a bit of a strong word. But that's my opinion. A couple of these stories, if fleshed out better and given more time, could have been decent (maybe even great?), but it all falls flat. I would have preferred that they instead come out with another direct to DVD movie based on the Animated Series, and given us one whole movie, with Bruce Timm and co. making it, and given some free reign over it. Or maybe even a stand alone story set in it's own continuity. Or even the Batman Begins continuity. But these shorts just don't cut it. I'm sorry. Personally, I'm glad I rented this and didn't all out buy it. I simply cannot recommend this one, not to casual or hardcore fans, unless you are completely obsessed with Batman and must own every single movie, cartoon, ect.. But for me, the most entertaining this on this DVD was watching the ads for The Dark Knight (which I already saw. Sad that the ads for a movie I already saw are more interesting than the actual movie from the disc they're from), and a sneak peek at a new Wonder Women movie coming out next year.
major major disappointment !!! Put your money away,its got to be the worse batman animation I have ever seen.Trust me, you will be disappointed beyond belief. If its possible it deserves negative 5 stars.
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