It's a good "New 52" interpretation of Batman and Son, but that's the only thing that this movie acts as.
The creative minds behind DC Animated Universe have created yet another film based on a popular DC Comics story. A retelling of the first encounter Batman had with the son he never knew he had with Talia Al Ghul. With Damian having to live with Batman, Batman will have to teach his 10-year old son that vengeance and killing are never the answer when Deathstroke The Terminator comes to claim what is rightfully his!
This movie’s story [loosely] follows Batman and Son. A popular, and successful, story by writer Grant Morrison and artist Andy Kubert. The story introduced to us fans of Batman to Damian Wayne; the most recent Robin that everyone started off hating, but eventually couldn’t see a Batman series without the little guy. The movie’s story follows Damian living with his father after Deathstroke comes and tries to claim the League of Assassins as his own.
I’ve enjoyed everything that the DC Animated Universe team has put out so far. Good and bad, the DC Animated Universe team has done a pretty outstanding job with the stories they’ve released. This newest one, Son of Batman, is enjoyable and has many aspects that I liked, however it’s not the truest interpretation of the Batman & Son story. This fact will obviously anger some people. So lets get that Man-Bat sized problem out of the room first.
In the comic book, Batman does not fight against Deathstroke; The Terminator himself is nowhere to be found in the Batman and Son story. However, for the sake of this film, he’s introduced as it's villain. Because the character is becoming increasingly popular in recent days; thanks to shows like Arrow and video game appearances. So it’s only natural that he shows up in this movie, right? Well, I’m all for one on experimenting and making your own version of a popular story arc, however this movie would’ve done perfectly fine with sticking to the source material. I mean if you EVER re-read (or read) this story arc (which I recommend you be a smart human being and do that). You’ll know (if you’ve been a fan of Batman for a long time especially before the New 52 era) that there are a LOT of characters that are introduced through this story that are pivotal to extremely great Grant Morrison story arcs that came after this one story arc (i.e. Batman R.I.P.)
One of those characters being the one woman that brought down Batman single handedly, Jezebel Jet. She was nowhere to be found in this movie and I was greatly disappointed. Grant Morrison did such a great job with her character in the story, and at introducing her as this powerful rich figure that eventually took down the man and the Batman. It was perfect. However, for the sake of a 75 minute film, things must be cut. Which I totally understand. And with having to be dedicated to making a 75 minute film each and every movie, lots of parts of a story is usually cut; unless it’s like Superman and The Elite which was only one issue and just needed to be expanded on by the writers of the film.
However, the minds behind this could’ve done what they did with The Dark Knight Returns (pt.1 and 2) and split them into two (or three, or however many would be needed). Getting the full story, the full experience, and only cutting small unnecessary parts. But this was not done. I personally feel that after the DCAU’s Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, it’s all New 52ized from here on out. I mean you can obviously see it. That now all the movies are connected after that one movie; solely because of the look of the characters costumes. They are based on their comic book New 52 counterparts! So it’s nice to see that all the stories since The Flashpoint Paradox are connected, showing a connected superhero world with the movies they’ll be making in the future. However, I’d still like to see these popular DC stories told in their truest form. So if you want to enjoy this movie; don’t bring a pencil, paper, and notepad and don’t read Batman and Son while you watch Son of Batman to nitpick the movie. That might be fun, but it’ll only give you more reasons to dislike this movie. Now that the Man-Bat is out of the room, lets get on with what’s good about this movie!
It has an enjoyable interpretation of what could’ve happened if the Batman and Son story arc was written in the New 52 stories. I mean we know from the comic books that only a select handful of stories transferred over to the New 52 (R.I.P. Batman R.I.P. and Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne :’( *sad face*), but it’s good to see that the minds behind these movies are thinking outside of the box. I would totally believe that this would happen in the New 52 because of the story and how well it is executed. You might ask: “how do you know they did a good job with this film?”; and I’d reply to you: “they made me hate Damian again.” So well done.
Deathstroke being trained and accepted by Ra’s Al Ghul to eventually take his place was a good story. It gave us a background to believe how Deathstroke got his skills and what makes him basically tick. I like how he has a deep hatred for Damian solely because Batman screwed up his eventual accession as the next Demon’s Head; literally (see what I did there?)! It was enjoyable to see how Batman and Damian bonded over this 75 minute film and it eventually leading to Damian deciding to become the next full-time Robin. It had a bunch of action and was accompanied by a good [New 52] story.
The voice actors also did a good job! Jason O’Mara was a great Batman, I liked his work as Batman in Justice League: War, and I’m looking forward to see what other Batman stories he’ll do in the future. He handled the voice with respect and envisioned what Batman would sound like as a young adult in the New 52. Stuart Allan was the voice of Damian Wayne, and while he was great; he was only “great” in the sense of the word that he made the character annoying/hated [again] — which mission accomplished! However, I always pictured [in my mind] that Damian’s voice would be deeper and more mature. Now you say he’s just a 10 year old, he hasn’t hit puberty, but in reality, he should have a deep/more mature voice. Taught by the League of Assassins to master all emotions and what not, he should have a Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs’ The Walking Dead season 4) deep voice. I’m sorry, but I can’t possibly believe Damian Wayne (who sacrificed his life for the innocent) sounds like Stuart Allan a child that has a high-pitched voice and makes you want to punch Damian in the face (you remember those days?)
Thomas Gibson (Deathstroke) and Morena Baccarin (Talia Al Ghul) did a perfect job as their characters. Gibson made Deathstroke sound menacing and complex in this movie. While Baccarin really captured Talia Al Ghul perfectly. Her voice is perfect because it shows how the character is attractive yet deadly at the same time. And that is really portrayed greatly in this movie. So overall good voice work.
So this was a good DC Animated Universe film. I’ll be watching this one again, and it’s not complete garbage; as it envisions the New 52 interpretation of the story. While I’d like the pre-New 52 version of the story better, this one will suffice. I like what the team is doing; and as it does have it’s ups-and-downs, in the end it’s really the best stuff DC is producing in animated form as their only show that’s airing is Teen Titans GO! (which is good, but not all that great). I recommend you rent this on digital demand, or go pick it up from your local place that sells movies (on DVD and Blu-Ray). To see if you like this movie yourself! 3 out of 5! Until the next one!
