Batman Beyond

Released By:

Warner Home Video

Features:

1999; 132 Min; Not Rated; Stereo: English, French; Original Full Frame Presentation.

Extras:

Home Video Preview Trailer.

Review:

I'm happy that Warenr is finally beginning to release some of thier animation onto DVD, specifically the Batman material. Releasing this Batman Beyond disc, in conjunction with Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, was a good choice. I would have rather had the original animated series, but beggers can't be choosers. Well, I could be, but I'm pretty gullible when it comes to decent animation.

This DVD of Batman Beyond is a little package that contains the first five episodes from Warner's recent take on the popular DC Comics franchise. The best way to describe this incarnation is cyber Batman. In the first episode called "Rebirth," all of the primary charaters are established. Bruce Wayne (voiced by Kevin Conroy) makes a brief apperance as Batman, but after nearly resorting to killing a man to protect himself, he retires into seclusion, swearing "Never again."

Twenty years later, enter Terry McGinnis (Will Friedle), a teenager whose father has been killed by Derek Powers, the evil partner of Bruce Wayne, whose company has gained control of Wayne enterprises via a hostile take over. McGinnis, in an effort to escape the Jokers (A gang inspired by everyone's favorite psycho), ends up at the Wayne estate, where he and Wayne fight them off. After being invited into Wayne manor, McGinnis stumbles upon the Bat Cave, and a new hero is born...

Of course a new villian is created as well, but more on that later.

All of the episodes are included in broadcast order, the additional episodes are as follows:

Gothem Golem - The stroy of a nerd who's tired of getting pushed around, and accidentally becomes  mentally fused with an enormous piece of construction equipment called a Golem. He uses this monstorcity as a tool of revenge.

The Winning Edge - One of the more subdued episodes. While there isn't a traditional villian within the story, it is a moral tale about the abuse of steroids within the sporting community. The episode also confronts Terry's late night lifestyle, with his mother's trust of him.

Dead Man's Hand - Terry McGinnis takes on one of Batman's older nemesis, the Royal Flush Gang. In the process of his everyday life, he falls in love with the real-life personallity of one of it's memebers. This is similar to the situation Bruce Wayne had with Selina Kyle (Catwoman). If nothing else, it a good episode of parrallel between the two Batmans.

Meltdown - The evil persona of Derek Powers, takes shape. While his alter ego Blithe was introduced briefly at the end of the pilot "Rebirth." This is the first episode in which he is the focus. For an analogy of Blithe's relationship to Terry McGinnis, think of Bruce Wayne and the Joker. The most fun I had with this episode is that Mr. Freeze was brought back to life, if only for one episode.

One of the major highlights of the Batman Beyond series is the actual voice talent that has been brought on board.  

I really wanted the origianl Batman: The Animated Series, but this will do, for now. Rebirth and Meltdown are definately the best of the five episodes, worthy of 6.5's. Winning Edge is right behind these earning a 6. Dead Man's Hand is ok it's worth of a 5. Golem is the weakest episode only worthy of a 4. Hopefully Warner will release more episodes..

I guess the fact Warner's even releasing this should be considered a bonus, the overall presentation is a 4, there really not much to this disc.

Reference System A

Dan Linzmeier, FIT Productions
Fitprod@aol.com
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