Bat Review
The Dark Knight. The Last son of Krypton.
Such images can often bring many thoughts, perceptions. Most important, very enduring. It is this longevity that brings these heroes together despite being opposing forces of ideals. In a way, it can be very fun.
However, the latest “Superman/Batman: Public Enemies” does fall a little flat.
It isn’t the fault of the writers or the actors who do a perfectly fine job in handling the many layered characters in the story. But it does seem ne a little standoffish in some ways. It could be something made more for fans or long time comic aficionados rather than the more laid back viewers. It couldn’t be helped. It’s bound to happen sooner or later.
However, it isn’t bad. I managed to grab a copy of it from the Best Buy shelf in Oshkosh which opened only last night for a two hour gap. There were enough copies for nearly everyone of this cartoon film. But no exclusive figures of the Batman. They only have four figures per store. What a crock. But I did get the two disc set with all the extras of including Bruce Timm’s two old favorites from the Superman animated series.
Might I also mentioned that I did meet Bruce Timm in the Chicago comic convention more than a year ago during the summer. A very nice guy, super nice. I told him in the conversation, “You produced the best Batman animation of any decade.”
Which is very true. I wasn’t kidding. He’s one of the sole forces for consistent high quality in the cartoon form.
Public Enemies centers on the fact that known arch-villain Lex Luthor wins the White House during a very severe economic upheaval and puts him into the top position as he rectifies the situation by pulling no punches in his ambitious scheme of turning the country into a paradise. It’s too good to be true. Also he enlists the support of all the superheroes in a way to keep them out of his way.
There are only two heroes who doesn’t get swayed by him.
Batman. And Superman.
They are the only ones who still distrusts Luthor. Not to mention, there’s a hurling piece of Kryptonite that is on a crash course to earth unless it is somehow knocked off its intended route. Finally likes the idea of the one billion dollar bounty hunter reward for taking down the two superhero revolutionaries in a story based on Joseph Leob in its original comic book form.
It isn’t bad. There’s a lot going for it particularly the cemetery scene where the Dark Knight rescues Superman from certain death in a very tongue in cheek fight with Metallo.
The problem with the story is that it is very complex and multilayered forcing the cartoon film to ignore huge chunks of the original content. I thought it would have worked better if the story was created into a six part, half hour episode mini-series which would have more appropriate than a ninety minute cartoon film. It would have given more breathing space and writing content to allow for greater characterization depth.
There are far too many cameos made by different character which would leave the ordinary viewer in a storm of confusion. Leaving the elusive story wanting for more. I’m only saying this from a writer’s point of view. By giving it a six part series might have resolved the complexities of the story. It only leaves a “slam, slam, bang bang” fighting mentality of way too many fighting scenes and not enough more subtle scenes for characterization.
The nice thing about the film is the original voice of Kevin Conroy doing Batman once again… if anyone ask me who’s my favorite actor to play Batman, would it be Christian Bale or Adam West? No. I’ll always cite Conroy who always does an amazing job at recreating Gotham’s sole adventurer. Also Tim Daly returns at the voice of Superman from the original days. Many other returning actors so you’ll have to turn in a pretty good ear to pick up the familiar voicies.
However, I did enjoy far more the bonus features of episodes picked by Bruce Timm from the Superman animated series with the first one being “The Deamon Reborn.” Which I’ve never seen before. I thought I had seen every single cartoon episode of the original animated series. So it was a real treat for me to see. This time the story focuses on Superman being assailed by Talia in her intended plot in reviving her rapidly aged father Ra’s Al Ghul by stealing the Kryptionian’s super powers. More or less, his super strength. But Batman must find a way to stop the far flung plot made by Ghul’s daughter. I found this one to be a very lively episode along with “Knight Time” which also tickles the funny bone.
But I’m already seeing several trailers for the next cartoon film to be based off a comic book graphic novel. Again, there might be too many characters involved and could be far more complex than a movie length film could handle. But we’ll see. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the next one will return to he former glory of the original animated series.
It could be sink or swim with this one.
Sorry about that, folks. “Public Enemies” isn’t a solid disappointment. It only received a lukewarm reception from me. But it did leaving me wanting for more.
Until then, just keep looking out of your window for the bat signal.
Such images can often bring many thoughts, perceptions. Most important, very enduring. It is this longevity that brings these heroes together despite being opposing forces of ideals. In a way, it can be very fun.
However, the latest “Superman/Batman: Public Enemies” does fall a little flat.
It isn’t the fault of the writers or the actors who do a perfectly fine job in handling the many layered characters in the story. But it does seem ne a little standoffish in some ways. It could be something made more for fans or long time comic aficionados rather than the more laid back viewers. It couldn’t be helped. It’s bound to happen sooner or later.
However, it isn’t bad. I managed to grab a copy of it from the Best Buy shelf in Oshkosh which opened only last night for a two hour gap. There were enough copies for nearly everyone of this cartoon film. But no exclusive figures of the Batman. They only have four figures per store. What a crock. But I did get the two disc set with all the extras of including Bruce Timm’s two old favorites from the Superman animated series.
Might I also mentioned that I did meet Bruce Timm in the Chicago comic convention more than a year ago during the summer. A very nice guy, super nice. I told him in the conversation, “You produced the best Batman animation of any decade.”
Which is very true. I wasn’t kidding. He’s one of the sole forces for consistent high quality in the cartoon form.
Public Enemies centers on the fact that known arch-villain Lex Luthor wins the White House during a very severe economic upheaval and puts him into the top position as he rectifies the situation by pulling no punches in his ambitious scheme of turning the country into a paradise. It’s too good to be true. Also he enlists the support of all the superheroes in a way to keep them out of his way.
There are only two heroes who doesn’t get swayed by him.
Batman. And Superman.
They are the only ones who still distrusts Luthor. Not to mention, there’s a hurling piece of Kryptonite that is on a crash course to earth unless it is somehow knocked off its intended route. Finally likes the idea of the one billion dollar bounty hunter reward for taking down the two superhero revolutionaries in a story based on Joseph Leob in its original comic book form.
It isn’t bad. There’s a lot going for it particularly the cemetery scene where the Dark Knight rescues Superman from certain death in a very tongue in cheek fight with Metallo.
The problem with the story is that it is very complex and multilayered forcing the cartoon film to ignore huge chunks of the original content. I thought it would have worked better if the story was created into a six part, half hour episode mini-series which would have more appropriate than a ninety minute cartoon film. It would have given more breathing space and writing content to allow for greater characterization depth.
There are far too many cameos made by different character which would leave the ordinary viewer in a storm of confusion. Leaving the elusive story wanting for more. I’m only saying this from a writer’s point of view. By giving it a six part series might have resolved the complexities of the story. It only leaves a “slam, slam, bang bang” fighting mentality of way too many fighting scenes and not enough more subtle scenes for characterization.
The nice thing about the film is the original voice of Kevin Conroy doing Batman once again… if anyone ask me who’s my favorite actor to play Batman, would it be Christian Bale or Adam West? No. I’ll always cite Conroy who always does an amazing job at recreating Gotham’s sole adventurer. Also Tim Daly returns at the voice of Superman from the original days. Many other returning actors so you’ll have to turn in a pretty good ear to pick up the familiar voicies.
However, I did enjoy far more the bonus features of episodes picked by Bruce Timm from the Superman animated series with the first one being “The Deamon Reborn.” Which I’ve never seen before. I thought I had seen every single cartoon episode of the original animated series. So it was a real treat for me to see. This time the story focuses on Superman being assailed by Talia in her intended plot in reviving her rapidly aged father Ra’s Al Ghul by stealing the Kryptionian’s super powers. More or less, his super strength. But Batman must find a way to stop the far flung plot made by Ghul’s daughter. I found this one to be a very lively episode along with “Knight Time” which also tickles the funny bone.
But I’m already seeing several trailers for the next cartoon film to be based off a comic book graphic novel. Again, there might be too many characters involved and could be far more complex than a movie length film could handle. But we’ll see. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the next one will return to he former glory of the original animated series.
It could be sink or swim with this one.
Sorry about that, folks. “Public Enemies” isn’t a solid disappointment. It only received a lukewarm reception from me. But it did leaving me wanting for more.
Until then, just keep looking out of your window for the bat signal.
posted by K.M. Paters at 11:23 AM
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