Son
Of Batman (2014/Warner/DC Blu-ray w/DVD + Digital Copy)
Picture:
B/B- Sound: B+/B Extras: C Film: C+
New
to Blu-ray is the latest in Batman animated film to release directly
to home Blu-ray. Son of Batman is based on a 2006 comic
series by Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert entitled Batman &
Son. Originally released as a 4 comic story arch, it is
self-contained with this Blu-ray release. This DC original animated
film is fun and lively, but does suffer from undeniable pacing issues
as well as a series of (unintentionally) laughable moments.
The
film follows the story of Bruce Wayne (Batman) as he is introduced to
his previously unknown son, Damian Wayne. Damian is the product of
the love affair between Bruce and Talia Al Ghul [daughter of Ra's Al
Ghul]. Damien is 10 years old and has been trained to be a brutal
warrior, intended to be the heir to League of Assassins. After
Deathstroke causes an uprising that leaves Ra's Al Ghul dead in the
process; Talia reveals Damian to Bruce. Batman seemingly takes Talia
at her word and quickly learns that Damian is no joke; having honed
the skills of a great warrior. Whereas he is a great warrior, he
knows nothing of honor, patience, or humility; leaving Batman to
school his son on the true embodiment of a warrior. The growing
process is not easy, with Damian often butting heads with Nightwing
(former Robin), Alfred, and even dear ol' dad. Damian has been
trained to annihilate his foes, but Batman will attempt to guide him
down a different path.
Overall
the plot is silly, ignoring many of the key plot elements that made
the original tale so great. Many of the characters are made into
caricatures of their former selves; making Talia nothing more than a
warm body, Deathstroke a coward, and other formidable opponents a
waste of space. It is laughable to see the lightweight youngster
take down enemies that are 2-3 times his size; on top of the fact
that they injure him and he continues on without so much as an owy.
Sure it is a cartoon, sure he is well trained; but the pure physics
of it leave a bad taste in the viewers' mouth. What could have been
a detailed tale, trades out plot for nonsensical violence and
laughable moments. Talia in the original story was using Damian to
manipulate Batman, while she put her next world dominating
plot into motion; here she plays a damsel in distress without
emotion.
I
wish the film was better. Whereas beautifully animated, the plot
itself is weak and without much merit as it sets up a tale the
ultimately is a letdown.
The
technical features are not perfect but well done. The picture is a
1.78 X 1, 1080p High Definition that has inky blacks, pops of color,
and pretty good clarity. The image quality is purposefully stylized,
which may be a turn off for some, but I was not totally unimpressed.
There are periodic compression issues as well as moments of digital
noise, but nothing overly distracting. The sound is a 5.1 DTS-HD
Master Audio lossless mix that does nicely use the surrounds, is well
balanced, and makes you feel like you are in the center of the
action. In the end, the sound and picture quality bring more to the
Blu-ray experience than the film itself.
The
extras include:
The
Fan and the Demonhead: The League of Assassins
Strange
Blood Ties: Damien Wayne
Designing
the Characters with Phil Bourassa
Previews
4
Batman Animated Episodes (From Brave and the Bold, Batman
Beyond, & Batman: The Animated Series)
Digital
Copy of film
The
included DVD is merely a downgrade of the better looking Blu-ray
release.
The
extras are short and weak, with the additional animated episodes
being the best part; though only loosely related to the main feature
and are in rough (viewing) shape at that.
