Batman: Gotham Knight [Includes Batman: Black & White Graphic Novel] [Blu-ray/DVD] [2 Discs] [2008]

Hello. First off I want to say I'm a 38 year old Batman fan since I was 6 years old, this includes the 60's TV reruns and comics. I have simply loved Bruce Timm's reinvigoration of Batman in Batman The Animated Series as well as Batman Beyond, and Justice League from the early 90's to 2004, needless to say I do have a passion. This latest edition to the Batman lineage simply falls short of the mark and in plain speak is a cash in on the upcoming movie. When I first found out of a new Batman animated movie in the vain of Superman Doomsday, (which is excellent) I was salivating with anticipation. Upon Buying this DVD and viewing today my inner adult ever so wanting to look on with once child like eyes turned from admiration to horror within the first 30 minutes (the main dvd run time is 76 minutes). The story is for the most part and in loose terms is a rip off of Legends of the Dark Knight from Batman the Animated Series (and for some unusual reason is included on the 2 disk version). The Pros as stated include the simply beautiful animation, this is by far is 1 of the only 2 main reasons to buy this DVD, the other being Batman purists wanting completion to their collection. The deadshot story is by far the most concise within the 6 individual parts giving a beginning to end sense of excitement. Lastly, Kevin Conroy is energetic as always, no matter who plays Batman in any future animated series, Kevin will always be unprecedented and unequaled. The cons are Bruce Timm simply banking a check for this nightmare, I have to BELIEVE that other than signing off on producing this film HE had no involvement in final production. The stories are a complete mishmash sophomoric outlet, a first chance writers disaster in the making. If you do purchase the 2 disk version as I have, The REAL payoff is the 38 minute documentary on Bob Kane the creator of Batman. The seldom seen Kane can be viewed in all his glory in a tong and cheek homage to the movie Citizen Kane. (oddly as I write this the San Francisco chronicle / Chicago tribune and Ney York Times cut jobs today, progress in called the Internet my friends) Please heed this review... If your a fan, hey pick it up.. you will no matter what I type. For those wanting to enhance the July 18th experience.. you will HATE this. Spend your money on valuable GAS to the theater instead.

But animation sure does! When you've got one of the hottest movie franchises around and want to throw a bone to your salivating fans, who are eagerly anticipating the newest movie's release like someone who absotively, posolutely has to go and is at the back of the very long bathroom line, then here's a surefire way to sate those unsatisfied appetites for the release of that summer blockbuster. Following in the footsteps of film franchises like "The Matrix" and "Chronicles of Riddick," "Batman: Gotham Knight" serves as a serving of elective mid-story, if you will, for "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight." Although the overall design is based on Christopher Nolan's films and a few references are made to both movies, these six animated shorts can stand on their own as good Batman stories coupled with cutting-edge anime. Best of all, it's not necessary to see either film for this work to be appreciated. The short that stood out for me in particular was one titled "Working Through Pain." That segment had it all: great story with beautiful art to match and an ending with poignant imagery that put the definitive metaphor of Batman's struggle on display. Like the other segments, the tie-in for the next piece just reinforced what made the previous one so special and so forth. This title was definitely worth getting to tide my Bat-craving over until I saw the 3am showing of "The Dark Knight" and will prossibly serve as a decent substitute for the film until it is released on DVD. Besides, the Best Buy Exclusive has a $3.00 coupon for your concessions (which I used at the IMAX I saw TDK at) and you can't go wrong with that since cinemas make most of their money off of the snacks you purchase. Needless to say, this is a great addition to any Bat-fan's DVD library or folks who've become Bat-fans through Nolan's masterpieces. Aside from "Batman - The Animated Series" you'll be wowed with the best animated Batman around. Peace.

Gotham Knight is really just not very good. The attempt to fill in the gap between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight was a great idea, in theory, but the storyline of Gotham Knight is not interesting and is not portrayed in a compelling way. It's hard to say what element is the worst. Like "The Animatrix," Gotham Knight is directed an animated by numerous teams, and each of it's six segments has a unique visual style. Most of these segments, despite looking nothing at all like the world they are portraying, are at least visually very attractive. That's about the only upside to this collection. Unfortunately, the downsides greatly outweigh this singular upside. Characters that are key to the plot of The Dark Knight are introduced with no backstory or context whatsoever; the drastic differences in animation and storytelling styles detract from the flow of the story - it is nearly impossible to tell if these six stores are meant to be connected or free-standing until the very end; and worst of all the portrayal of the character is not similar to the big screen portrayal in any way whatsoever. It's just not very good, period. If you want some interesting animation and several very unique takes on the character, set your expectations low and watch Gotham Knight. But if like me, you are expecting a satisfying "Batman 1.5" to fill in the story line between Chris Nolan's two films, do yourself a favor, and just imagine your own version of what probably happened.

First, these films, though meant to be an inbetween story to the current film franchise, are from the perspective of each filmaker. So they are 'technically' within the exact same Batman universe as the Christoper Nolan series. Each depiction of Batman is different in costume, similar to each theatrical film has its own perspective. It is essentially the exact same batman. New characters are introduced with the background of how batman is now being recieved by the public. Is he a vigilante, is he a hero, is he just another crazy guy running around. Not quite as over the top of the Spiderman hate/love relationship Peter Parker shares with his public. Each film is almost as though watching a different comic come to life, just as the current films are compilations of various original Batman comics. I think its a good buy, not great, but if you're a fan of Batman, this is a must have. Oh, it's voiced by the same actor from Batman The Animated Series, and The Adventures of Batman and Robin. He does the voice of Batman in all 6. Buy it, i enjoyed it and i think anyone else would. Oh, it also relates to some of his original training as a prequel even to Batman Begins.

Whether you are an anime fan or a Batman fan, or both, as I am, you will be left dissapointed. I guess Gotham Knight is supposed to be the Japanese "interpretation" of Batman. Nothing wrong with that, except I think they missed out on what makes Batman such as awesome character. There was no character development, and suprisingly, very little action. In the series of short stories, Batman is portrayed as a demon, a detective, a vigilante, but there was no cohesiveness. It would have been much better if it were written by American writers, and stuck with a traditional movie format instead of the short stories. As for the art, it was better than the boxy animated series seen on television, but Bruce Wayne looked like a kid, while Batman didn't look like the cool traditional Batman we are used to. Furthermore, you never see any of the great Batman villians, except the Scarecrow for maybe 2 minutes. Overall, I was extremely dissapointed with this "film." I think I may have sworn off WB Comic-based animated movies.

This graphic novel is a collection of stories by some of the greatest writers and artists in the industry, which also includes the animated "Gotham Knight" on Bluray/DVD, as well as digital versions of both novel and film. For $15 it's a great way for new fans of Batman or comics in general to enter the genre. FYI, the film is not the same as the graphic novel, it is a collection stories told but different writer's and animators, however they are not the same athe ones depicted in "Black and White." This shouldn't detract you at all from buying it, in fact it's nice as you're actually getting more content for your money than the other DC Graphic Novel/Bluray/DVD bundles. My only gripe is the Bluray/DVD comes within the graphic novel in a paper sleeve page. I would've preferred the actual plastic case for proper storage with the rest of my movies.

Picked this up with the idea of seeing more Batman after the whole mania of The Dark Knight.. Was it a disappointment? Hard to say. Good stories, albeit some are sort of odd. You see new villains, old villains redone, faces from the movie, and lots of storyline to explain how Bale goes from being a novice vigilante to, for lack of a better term, The Dark Knight. Various animation styles make the few short stories different. Storytelling and such changes, but overall, it's a pretty good representation of Batman from the new films. Worth seeing- if you're starved for Batman, I'd definitely go pick it up. Not the best Batman cartoon ever, but fun.

The six stories that make up Gotham Knight range from excellent to ho-hum. Being able to see some of the events that take place inbetween Batman Begins and The Dark Knight was interesting and great. These six directors bring their own touch to the Batman legend while staying faithful to Christopher Nolan's, as well as the comic book version of the Batman. This is a must for any true fan of Batman and/or fans of Nolan's Batman films. It isn't as great as say Batman: The Animated Series from the 90's, but its a great addition to any dvd/batman collection. You'll have a blast learning more of the story.