The DC Animated Universe Weekly Review - Batman: The Animated Series

 Batman: The Animated Series

Episode 59

Blind as a Bat

 

Bruce Wayne gets blinded while saving an employee when the Penguin steals a military helicopter that Wayne Enterprises is developing.  Instead of resting, he uses some weird tech to get his vision back so he can stop Penguin, who’s keeping the city hostage, and get the helicopter back.  His tech goes wonky and he has to rely on his other senses to save the day.  

 

As stated in other reviews, Penguin episodes were never too exciting on the show.  This is right there with the rest.  Bruce’s apprehension to making military weapons is nicely solidified in the episode and recycled in the Superman/Batman crossover with Lex Luthor which we’ll get to later.  Bruce learns how dangerous military weapons can be and therefore opts for his company to never get into that business.  

 

Written by
Joseph Ammendolea
Owner/President
“I Like To Play With Toys” Productions®
ILikeToPlayWithToysProductions@Yahoo.com

Maxine Vandate - Do You Believe in Life After Love

 Cuculi presents Live Beats music of the 90s & 00s.

 

The DC Animated Universe Weekly Review - Batman: The Animated Series

 Batman: The Animated Series

Episode 57 & 58

Shadow of the Bat: Part 1 & 2

 

After countless episodes we finally get Batgirl and her origin story is amazing.  The two-part episode plays out like film and it’s a great follow-up to Mask of the Phantasm.  Barbara Gordon’s father Commissioner James Gordon is framed for crimes he didn’t commit.  During a rally of public support for him she dresses up as Batman to excite the crowd.  Antics ensue and she’s forced stop a crime and it’s revealed she’s a female bat-fake who the media calls Batgirl. 

 

As the story progresses we learn Two Face is behind the frame with the help of Gil Mason, Barbara’s love interest (who we just met in this episode) is the working for Two Face (making his betrayal a surprise of no one).  Batman is a side character in his own adventure. The climax has Batgirl, on a boat, having a very personal standoff against Gil Mason.  He discovers she’s Barbara during the fight, she defeats him, turns him over for justice.  

 

It’s not a plot hole but certainly a wasted plot device that he never turns her in or rats out her identity as the years go on.  It’s laid on thick in the episodes that he’s in love with her.  But if he loved her so much, why would he frame her dad? Mason’s motivations didn’t make sense.  He wanted to be commissioner or mayor but if he married the boss’s daughter that would be the better route to go.  

 

Otherwise her introduction to the series is great.  Anyone who watched the prior episodes were just waiting for this moment.  The show had to make it epic and they didn’t disappoint. 

 

Written by
Joseph Ammendolea
Owner/President
“I Like To Play With Toys” Productions®
ILikeToPlayWithToysProductions@Yahoo.com

Maxine Vandate - Here's Where the Story Ends

 Cuculi presents Live Beats music of the 90s & 00s.

 

The DCAU Weekly Review - Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

Feature Film

 

It’s the crown jewel of the Batman the Animated Series run, the feature film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.  It’s one of the best Batman features ever made and at the time of its release in 1993, was the best Batman film to exist.  It was made on a budget of $6 million and was intended as a direct to video movie.  There are many theories why it was changed to a theatrical release but the main reason would have to be how well the film came out.  The studio saw dollar signs after how great the story and animation of the final product came out.   

 

The film had a rushed marketing and ultimately failed at the box office, only earning $5.6 million.  Since it was the 1990s that doesn’t translate to failure for a feature film though.  The theatrical release served as a tremendous advertisement for the film and it skyrocketed in video and rental sales.  The film turned a profit in the home video market but initial research has failed to generate information on the sales totals. 

 

The film explores Batman’s first year as a crime fighter and how he almost gives it all up for love.  It has a powerhouse of voice talent that you can look up on your own.  Just know the voice acting is beyond superb and takes animated films to another stratosphere.  Shirley Walker’s film score is mesmerizing.  The film stands on its own without the show but fits the series like a glove.  The bitter ending is probably the bleakest of all the Batman films.  While other DCAU Batman movies play out like extended episodes, this is a true film.  An absolute can’t miss. 

 

Written by
Joseph Ammendolea
Owner/President
“I Like To Play With Toys” Productions®
ILikeToPlayWithToysProductions@Yahoo.com

Maxine Vandate - Zombie

 Cuculi presents Live Beats music of the 90s & 00s.

 

The DC Animated Universe Weekly Review - Batman: The Animated Series

 Batman: The Animated Series

Episode 56

Harley and Ivy

 

A fan favorite and truly worthy of the accolades.  Harley Quinn leaves the joker and teams up with Poison Ivy.  Together they go on a huge crime spree.  Batman and The Joker separately track them to their hideout on a toxic waste dump.  Fights ensue Batman captures the Joker but the girls escape.  In the process they proclaim no man can catch them and no man does.  Officer Renee Montoya captures them.  A fitting payoff after getting to know her in the episode Point of View.  A random female officer wouldn’t have had the same sting that the known Montoya brought at the end.

 

Written by
Joseph Ammendolea
Owner/President
“I Like To Play With Toys” Productions®
ILikeToPlayWithToysProductions@Yahoo.com

Maxine Vandate - Use Somebody

 Cuculi presents Live Beats music of the 90s & 00s.

The DC Animated Universe Weekly Review - Batman: The Animated Series

 Batman: The Animated Series

Episode 55

The Mechanic

 

Not a terrible episode but not too exciting.  The Penguin figures out who Batman’s mechanic is, holds him hostage until he sabotages the Batmobile.  The mechanic makes a trap door to save batman.  This episode wouldn’t be as bad as it is, except the same gimmick was done in Batman Forever.  Penguin episodes weren’t the best in BtAS.  

 

One of the nicer moments was the flashback to how Batman found Earl the mechanic.  We also like the concept he doesn’t do this alone and has an entire staff on secret payroll helping him with his gizmos.  Worth a watch.

 

Written by
Joseph Ammendolea
Owner/President
“I Like To Play With Toys” Productions®
ILikeToPlayWithToysProductions@Yahoo.com

Maxine Vandate - Torn

Cuculi presents Live Beats music of the 90s & 00s.