The Batman vs Dracula: The Animated Movie (2005) (V)

Director:

Michael Goguen

Writers:

Duane Capizzi (written by)
Bob Kane (Batman characters)

Release Date:

18 October 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Action | Horror | Thriller

Plot:

Gotham City is terrorized not only by recent escapees Joker and Penguin, but by the original creature of the night...

Plot Keywords:

Joker | Dracula | Batman | Vampire | Reporter

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Jeff Bennett	...	Arkham Asylum Inmate / Additional Voices (voice)
Alastair Duncan	...	Alfred Pennyworth (voice)
Richard Green	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Tom Kenny	...	Oswald Cobblepot / The Penguin (voice)
Kevin Michael Richardson	...	The Joker (voice)
Rino Romano	...	Bruce Wayne / The Batman (voice)
Neil Ross	...	Additional Voices (voice)
James Sie	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Peter Stormare	...	Dracula (voice)
Tara Strong	...	Vicky Vale (voice)

Runtime:

83 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Singapore:PG | USA:Unrated | Australia:PG | USA:TV-PG

Company:

Warner Bros. Animation

Trivia:

Upon meeting Bruce Wayne, Dracula refers to himself as Dr. Alucard, which is 'Dracula' backwards.

Quotes:

Dracula: Go ahead and run! You cannot escape me, Batman! I am evil incarnate! I am the Prince of...
[He floats up and sees Batman standing in front of the sunlight machine]
Dracula: ...Darkness?
Batman: Rise and shine.
[triggers the machine, and blasts Dracula with artificial sunlight]

Movie Connections:

References The Shining (1980)

Good? Yes. Great? Oh Yes.

First off, non-fans of The Batman animated series will be harsh on this, but if you aren't a fan you should still give it a watch. The story is Dracula is causing trouble in Gotham. It's a simple story, which is fine, the movie is only about 80 or so minutes long, but it has time to breath and doesn't drag.

The show, is a very vibrant, action oriented, in your face cartoon, which is fine, it suits the show. As a movie, that presents some hurdles, primarily ta deficit in plot development and the potential for overlong climaxes. Well there are no pacing issues, the movie starts off pretty fast, but manages to keep speeding up at a noticeable, but not problematic, pace, as a good and well thought out movie should.

Voice acting and music is top notch, there were some really strong themes towards the end, and I wish they had put more into the music, but it provides more than enough. I'd buy a score if one were released, as I would also be looking forward to more in the ways of arrangement and music come a second feature.

Many will try to compare this to Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, or Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, and some will try to compare this to Batman Begins, which is all fine and good, except that it is quite difficult see beyond in the style in the four movies. And that is what this is, an exercise in style, but much to my delight, it is not style over substance. Though short, the film is quite solid in both character development and tone.

Lastly, where the movie excels is in the action. Do no forget, The Batman is fighting a villain that physically outclasses him, but the fights themselves are well animated, well organized, and visually impressive, as in The Batman's fluid movements, he some how gives an incredible fight.

This is an excellent movie, and I am glad I have seen it. Fans of the show,will love it, and fans of the comic will enjoy a solid representation of the mythic hero if they can remain unbiased. Though it is a bit violent and in your face when it comes to gore, it is a great film, and I eagerly await more. It looks like we have a winner.