Mutant Reviewers from Hell do
"I miss working for the Joker."

2003 PG / Animated Superhero Directed by: Curt Geda & Tim Maltby Starring: Kevin Conroy, Tara Strong, David Ogden Stiers

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Summary Capsule

Yet another uninvited vigilante is prowling the streets of Gotham, but Batman's not having TWO chicks busting crime in his town… next thing you know they'll be wanting to vote and everything.

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Drew's Rating: Way, way better than Batman and Robin… but by far the weakest of the animated films.
Drew's Review: A short history lesson: when the Batman animated series moved to the WB in 1997, it was decided to shake things up a bit. Producer Bruce Timm had streamlined his artistic approach, and this became the new house style: slimmed-down, sleek designs, more angular but less defined. Some characters underwent drastic revisions (Scarecrow, Penguin), others only minor changes (Joker, Two-Face); but along with the new animation, a decision was made to jump forward a few years from the original cartoon. Batman was now even grimmer with a new Robin (Tim Drake) by his side, while Dick Grayson moved on to become Nightwing. Though different from the earlier series, this new show proved popular among fans, and after finishing its 28-episode run a direct-to-video movie was commissioned… which brings us to Mystery of the Batwoman.

"As Tom Cruise is all too aware, star power can't compensate for a mediocre script"

The film centers around (not surprisingly) Batwoman, the latest in a loooong line of mysterious new vigilantes in Gotham City. Her goal: bring down gun-smugglers Rupert Thorne, Carlton Duquesne, and the Penguin. But her crimefighting activities attract the attention of the Big Bat himself, who's notoriously unreceptive to uninvited helpers. While Batman attempts to discover the identity of his female counterpart, alter ego Bruce Wayne woos Kathy Duquesne, daughter of aforementioned gangster Carlton. But as his suspects one by one prove to have airtight alibis, can the Dark Knight unlock the mystery of the Batwoman and put a halt to her activities? And are those activities merely the mark of a concerned citizen… or a more personal vendetta?

The hook of MotB is both its most interesting element and a limiting factor. There IS interest in finding out who's behind Batwoman's mask; and while most viewers will probably figure out the secret before it's revealed, it's not a bad plot element, if a bit clichéd. But that's also the problem — once the title character's identity is unveiled, there's not much substance left to the movie, which ends up being little more than a halfway decent mystery and a bunch of explosions. That's okay as far as it goes… but from the excellent Batman: TAS team, we've come to expect more.

Mind you, the animation looks sharp, and the vocal cast is as talented as ever. Kevin Conroy as Batman does sound a bit higher pitched than usual; I don't know if he was sick during recording or what, but it's weird to hear Bruce Wayne's voice from Batman's mouth. But Alfred (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) and Robin (Eli Marienthal) give strong performances, and Tara Strong nails the three or so lines she gets as Barbara Gordon/Batgirl. Though it must be said, viewers are likely to pay more attention to the famous names who join the cast this time around, including Kyra Sedgwick as Batwoman and Kelly Ripa as computer geek Rocky.

But as Tom Cruise is all too aware, star power can't compensate for a mediocre script, and MotB doesn't have the benefit of visual recognition for its big names. The whole thing just feels slightly off-kilter, from the recasting of several characters (Robin, the Penguin) to the by-the-numbers plot. Perhaps most telling is producer Alan Burnett's comment on a featurette: "I wasn't interested in doing something 'definitive,' I just wanted to do a fun story." And that's exactly what MotB is — a kinda fun little movie that'll keep the kids entertained for 75 minutes… but not a gothic masterpiece, not an emotional, tragic tale, and not a Batman classic. Worth seeing once for completists and those who prefer more lighthearted superhero romps, but it's no Mask of the Phantasm. More's the pity.

We call this the "Running From Your Fart Cloud Sequence" "Cel-e-brate good times, come on!" Superheroes: never promoting proper seatbelt usage

Didja Notice? [some sources: IMDb]

• In her cameo, Barbara Gordon comes onto Batman like a drunken prom date. Several times during The New Batman Adventures, writers hinted at Batgirl's interest in Bruce after her failed relationship with Dick Grayson/Robin. Which is… creepy.
• Bullock's got a new partner? What happened to Montoya?
• So, the umbrella Bruce uses to jam the door… didn't he technically steal that? What kind of example is that for Batman to be setting for youngsters?
• For a kids' cartoon, they really sexualize the women in this movie.
• Is it just me, or does Batwoman's ride remind you of the Green Goblin's glider?

Is It Worth Staying Through End Credits?

Nah.

Intermission! [some sources: IMDb]

One of the women Bruce suspects of being Batwoman is Kathy Duquesne; her name is a nod to Kathy Kane, the original Batwoman of the comics. (Whose niece Betty Kane became the first Bat-Girl, predating the better-known Barbara Gordon by several years.) Alan Burnett explains they had intended to use the name "Kathy Kane" but were asked to change it by DC Comics, thanks to some morally gray actions on the part of the movie Batwoman.

Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, producers and two of the biggest influences on the Batman cartoon, weren't involved in the production of MotB, which may explain why it's a little more run-of-the-mill.

Eli Marienthal, the voice of Robin, also played Stifler's brother in the first two American Pie movies.

Groovy Quotes

Bruce Wayne: The last thing Gotham City needs is a vigilante running amok.
Alfred: As they say on the streets, "I ain't touchin' that one."

Robin: What do they make here?
Batman: Trinkets, figurines… weapons of mass destruction.

Kathy: It's a dressing room! The worst thing that can happen is that I'll need a size 8. Why don't you go rob gift wrap or something?
Thug: I miss working for the Joker.

Penguin: And Mr. Wayne! It's been quite a while, hasn't it?
Bruce Wayne: Yes. I believe the last time was when you stole plutonium from one of my labs and threatened to blow up the city.
Penguin: Oho, oh, yes. Heh heh. My more… rambunctious days.

DVD Review

Extras galore, including an animated short Chase Me starring Batman and Catwoman, which may be more enjoyable than the actual movie itself. There's also several featurettes about the film — be warned, they spoil Batwoman's identity, so wait until after you've seen the movie to watch them.

Soundtrack Review

Aside from the classic B:TAS theme, every main character has their own personalized score, including a pretty sultry one for Batwoman. The only actual song is "Betcha Neva" by pop singer Cherie, who gets animated to sing it in the Penguin's Iceberg Lounge.

If you liked this movie, try these:

• Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
• Batman and Mr. Freeze: Sub-Zero
• Batman Begins