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Batman: Death In The Family Blu-ray Review

“Batman: Death In The Family” doesn’t compare to the comic series.

Based on the iconic comic book mini-series “Batman: A Death In The Family” by Jim Starlin in which fans decided the fate of the Jason Todd Robin, “Batman: Death In The Family” is an interactive short film written and directed by Brandon Vietti. The story deviates from the comic as Batman (voiced by Bruce Greenwood) and a damaged Jason Todd Robin (Vincent Martella) travel to Bosnia to stop a deadly plot by the Joker (John DiMaggio) and Ra’s al Guhl.

WB and DC Animation deserve credit for thinking outside of the box with “Batman: Death In The Family.” Brandon Vietti and the creative team crafted an interactive experience that pays homage to the original comics while also crafting an entirely new experience with 7 different endings, different paths for the characters, life changing character decisions, and even character deaths. Unfortunately, the end product leaves a lot to be desired.

The original comics by Jim Starlin are undoubtedly among the best Batman stories ever told and I hoped that would crossover to the short movie itself. Alas, much like the “Batman: The Killing Joke” film, there are alterations from the source material that feel clumsy and resemble something out of bad fan fiction.. More than that, however, the movie is incredibly choppy. One would think the interactive angle would be a smooth streamlined experience, but it’s not. There’s a lengthy route that is lazily narrated by Bruce Wayne and there are paths in which characters would act in ways they never would (even if the point was to show alternate paths). Sure, it’s a bold experiment that does offer up replay value, but the payoff isn’t there.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.78:1 1080p. How does it look? Uneven animation aside, ‘Batman’ looks quality in 1080p.

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? The 5.1 track does the job.

Extras include a Digital copy, DC trailers, commentary by Amy Dallen and Hector Navarro on “Batman: Death In The Family,” and 4 previously released DC Showcase shorts “Sgt. Rock,” “Adam Strange,” “The Phantom Stranger,” and “Death” (the best of the lot). Optional commentary tracks on the other 4 shorts are also available.

October 12, 2020 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Batman, Batman: Death in The Family Blu-ray Review, DC Animated Films, DC Shorts, Robin, The Joker