What’s it About?

While Damian Wayne struggles to cope with Batman’s no-killing rule, he soon starts to believe that his destiny lies within a secret society known as, The Court of Owls.

“Batman vs Robin”

Directed by Jay Oliva

Reviewed by Eric Jones

I really love these DC Universe animated movies. They excel for me in telling some of the top DC story-lines without the viewer having to invest in years of comic mythology to understand them. Recently they have taken an approach similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and have began adapting stories from their New 52 era. Batman vs Robin, is the 4th film in this new continuity and sequel to the film Son of Batman.

Son of Batman introduced the character of Damien Wayne. Bruce’s son with Talia, the daughter of Ra’s al Ghul. At the end of that film, the young Wayne goes to live and fight alongside his father. While Son of Batman had good action throughout, it was slightly boring at times.

This one? A much better effort. Like all the other films there is no shortage of action, but there is decent amount of character work in this as well. 

Batman vs Robin picks up with Bruce and Damien patrolling Gotham. Everything is not well with the two however, Bruce has not yet publicly cliaimed his son. Meanwhile Damien feels that Bruce does not trust him. A chance encounter with a character named Talon leads both father and son to the Court of Owls, something Bruce knew as an urban legend from his childhood.

There is some great character moments in this film that are worth taking note of. First is we get to see that despite Damien’s arrogance and at times bloodthirsty nature, this due to his training by Ra’s al Ghul, that he is still a child like any other. He wants his father’s approval. He wants to be trusted. He doesn’t want his father to think the worst of him. He doesn’t say it, but all his actions indicate this. Bruce on the other hand, is a man not ready to be a father, plain and simple. Gotham is his child and his closest relationship is still with Alfred. You can see that even with Dick Grayson, now Nightwing, that Bruce still hasn’t totally opened up.

The animation in this is top notch as expected from this line of DC film. The action is very fluid and at times pretty visceral. Most noticeably in the fight scenes. Bruce has a more acrobatic and somewhat majestic fighting style when compared to the roughness of his son’s. 

Another quality entry into the DC animated canon. Better than Son of Batman, you get the same quality stories, great action and animation and very good character drama and interaction between a father and son finding their place in each other’s lives.

Eric’s Rating: 4/5