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Ironically, Batman: The Animated Series looks better in stills than it does in motion. The artists fail to stylize the movements of the characters to match the dramatic settings, as Genndy Tartakovsky and his crew did in Samurai Jack. Batman uses sophisticated computers to combat the well-known villains--the Joker, the Penguin, Mr. Freeze, Catwoman--as well as some less celebrated baddies: Manbat, Clayface, The Mad Hatter. The bad guys cram a lot of plotting and scheming into each 22-minute episode, but the violence is kept to a broadcast standards minimum.
The Dark Knight's First Knight easily ranks as the most interesting of the extras. Producers Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski recount the genesis of the series, and show their mini-pilot, which is more violent and more fully animated. If the complete episodes had matched the pilot, the series would have been much more exciting. (Unrated, suitable for ages 8 and older: violence, mild grotesque imagery) --Charles Solomon
BTAS was released as children's programming originally, but the animators, directors, and writers turned it into something of adult complexity (not that kids don't love it too, but adults tend to be the biggest fans, mostly comic book lovers). Freed of the constraints of selling toys, the filmmakers created an intricate show that was true to the dark, psychological side of Batman and his adversaries. Instead of sticking to boring formulas usually associated with animated TV shows, the writers made sure each episode was something unique, and kept drama always at the forefront. The animation is spectacular and fluid, the action scenes have a kick to them superior to many movies, and the orchestral scores contribute to the feeling of something special.
Not all the episodes are great, of course, and some of the early ones in this package show the creative team struggling to discover the direction and tone of the show.
... Read more ›501 On Leather Wings (Commentary by ERIC RODOMSKI and BRUCE TIMM)
502 Christmas with the Joker
503 Nothing to Fear
504 The Last Laugh
505 Pretty Poison
506 The Underdwellers
507 P.O.V.
508 Forgotten
509 Be a Clown
510 Two-Face Part 1
517 Two-Face Part 2
511 It's Never Too Late
512 I've Got Batman in My Basement
514 Heart of Ice (Commentary by PAUL DINI, ERIC RODOMSKI and BRUCE TIMM)
513 Cat and Claw Part 1
516 Cat and Claw Part 2
515 See No Evil
518 Beware of Gray Ghost
519 Prophecy of Doom
520 Feat of Clay Part 1
521 Feat of Clay Part 2
522 Joker's Favor
523 Vendetta
524 Fear of Victory
525 The Clock King
526 Appointment in Crime Alley
527 Mad As a Hatter
528 Dreams in Darkness
Batman: The Animated Series changed everything - it brought well-told half-hour stories, flawed yet somewhat sympathetic villains, sadness and loss (for Bruce Wayne), and a wonderful variety of locations and diabolical plots. While the animation was sometimes lacking (some episodes were definitely better than others), the series also happened to feature a unique musical score per episode (Danny Elfman composed the main theme while Shirley Walker oversaw the music) and truly wonderful voice-over talent (the use of Adam West for "The Grey Ghost" was simply brilliant).
After all, what other show can boast the following cast: Michael Ansara, Ed Asner, Rene Auberjonois, Adrienne Barbeau, Ed Begley Jr., Tim Curry, Melissa Gilbert, Mark Hamill, Ernie Hudson, Brion James, Heather Locklear, Roddy McDowall, Richard Moll, Diana Muldaur, Kate Mulgrew, Ron Perlman, Brock Peters, John Rhys-Davies, William Sanderson, Marc Singer, Helen Slater, Loretta Swit, David Warner, Adam West, Treat Williams, Paul Winfield, Michael York, and Efrem Zimbalist Jr.?
This DVD set includes the first 28 episodes; audio commentary for the episodes "On Leather Wings" and "Heart of Ice" (by Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, and Eric Rodomski) are included as part of the special features.
... Read more ›