The latest in DC's line of direct-to-DVD films, Batman: Gotham Knight serves as a a glance into what happens between the events of Batman Begins and the highly anticipated The Dark Knight. Batman: Gotham Knight shows six short stories, with six different writers, directors, and animation crews, all done in the style of Japanese anime.
Have I Got a Story For You
Oscar nominated screenwriter Josh Olson (A History of Violence) tells the story of how chance encounters with Batman by a group of youngsters leave each kid with a very different impression of the Dark Knight. Much like the Batman: The Animated Series episode "Legends of the Dark Knight" and Batman #423.
Opinion: BGK starts off in an interesting manner with a story that most fans of Batman have heard before. Three different kids tell three vastly different encounters with Batman. These include Batman as a paranormal specter of sorts, a creature much like the Man-Bat, and a robot. While I can respect the Olsen's idea, it is very easy to tell that the man has not written a Batman story before. Things seem far too upbeat and unnatural for this to be Gotham City and for this to be a Batman story. The animation and direction is very well done, and most of the voice actors do well, but things just don't fit as well as they could. This was not the best start to this set of short stories since it is so painfully out of place.
Segment Rating: C-
Crossfire
Written by Greg Rucka from a story by Jordan Goldberg, Crossfire brings the character of Crispus Allen to the Nolan universe and shows Batman in his most bad ass way. A gang shootout between the Russians and Sal Maroni's gang catches Detective Allen and Ramirez in the crossfire (heh) only to be saved by the Dark Knight.
Opinion: Gotham City is shown in one of its purest forms, as a dark, seedy, underworld where the only hope its people have lies in a very scary vigilante. We also find out about what has happened to the Narrows since its destruction in Batman Begins and it works very well. The animation and directing here is dark, muscular, destructive, and cool. Greg Rucka shows us why he's been writing comics for years with a simple, yet extremely effective script that plays on the different character's strengths. Kevin Conroy in particular here is very short and to the point, but it's euphoric to hear that man's voice again.
Segment Rating: A-
Field Test
Writer Jordan Goldberg showcases the incredible high-tech arsenal Batman commands and reveals that there are some things even Batman won't do in his pursuit for justice.
Opinion: A very practical story that shows Batman almost like James Bond with Lucius Fox acting as Q. While this is one of the more upbeat stories, it is unlike "Have I Got a Story For You" in that you can tell that it is a Batman story based in Gotham. The only real complain that I have about this story is the actual gadget itself, it's too unrealistic even in superhero terms, although I do love Batman's reasoning for not using it. I'm also a big fan of the use of Batman as a mediator of the mob even when he can't take it down completely, much like he was in the No Man's Land storyline. The animation is once again drastically different, with every male character having that "emo" hairstyle and the Batman cowl being a bit ridiculously large, but the plot and script is able make you look past those flaws. Kevin Conroy once again shows us why he has played Batman/Bruce Wayne more than any other actor combined. He simply points the slightest inflection into his voice and it is genuinely like Wayne and Batman are two different people. Kevin Michael Richardson, who plays the Joker in The Batman, also does an admirable job as Lucius Fox as that rare someone that Batman can trust.
Segment Rating: B
In Darkness Dwells
Written by David Goyer (Batman Begins) from a story by Jordan Goldberg, Batman ventures into the Gotham sewers to face Killer Croc a deformed thug who seems even more monstrous after The Scarecrow returns with his fear toxin.
Opinion: This is definitely the darkest story and I freaking love it for it. The animation is slightly crude, but then so is the subject matter. The only thing that I wish is the there was a follow up to Croc and Scarecrow because they're so awesome in this short vignette.
Segment Rating: A-
Working Through Pain
Award-winning comics writer Brian Azzarello explores an early chapter in Bruce Wayne's training, showing how a mysterious and exotic Indian woman named Cassandra introduced Batman to techniques that would help him to conquer the physical and spiritual consequences of his actions.
Opinion: Remember those awesome episodes in Batman: The Animated Series where he fights the samurai (Day of the Samurai, Night of the Samurai)? This is a lot like those. We see Bruce Wayne on a quest to reach the peak of human physical and mental perfection as he tries to master his control over pain. I love the study of Bruce Wayne as a spiritual warrior and this story just plays that so well.
Segment Rating: A-
Deadshot
Alan Burnett--one of the most acclaimed writers on the Emmy Award-winning, Batman: The Animated Series--ties together threads, as Batman must thwart the assassin Deadshot whose love of guns and disregard for human life lets him cross lines that even a Dark Knight won't traverse.
Opinion: This is the reason you should buy this DVD. Deadshot's introduction is just absolutely beautiful that I've replayed it about ten times since I've seen it. We also see Batman as more of a detective and a brilliant tactical fighter, who knows that he has to be five steps ahead of his opponents at all times. I wish this final segment was a whole separate episode or movie, but then I love Deadshot as a villain. This is also a new take on Deadshot as a wealthy socialite who kills for a living. You may remember him in Justice Leage as a sleazy double crossing bastard played by Michael Rosenbaum who does a very accurate Kevin Spacey impersonation, or as the suicidal near perfect assassin who wears a bright uniform in the hopes that someone will finally end his pain. This film's interpretation is a much more two dimensional character but that works for him
as he is portrayed as cold, callous, brutal, and without mercy.
Segment Rating: A
Final Opinion: I've been anticipating this release almost as much as I have been for The Dark Knight. I will say that BGK upholds expectations that admittedly are a bit high for Bruce Timm, but then he has earned those expectations. While by no means is this perfect; it is a beautiful experiment in the world of Batman and a fine addition to the DC Animated Universe.
Final Rating: A-
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