(https://i.imgur.com/jNt0KIk.png)
Studio: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Release Date: 9/8/2026
Rating: R
Film Grade: I
The Story: A group of nefarious kidnappers gather around the front of a container filled with their human cargo, a haul destined for a secretive cultist ceremony. From above, a cloaked figure clings to the shadows, issues an ominous warning, and attacks fearlessly and without mercy. As he’s about to execute the last remaining member, he’s confronted by another cloaked figure – The Batman!
My Take: Let’s start with a warning, this is a movie that earns its R rating. There are severed limbs, melted heads, heart piercings, and gouged out eyes. Parents should think twice before picking it up for their young children. It is animated, so it may be appropriate for older teens. The story is based on a multi-issue arc from the 90s that was renowned for its dark, gritty tone and plot points, so this won’t come as a shock for comic book fans.
That opening scene sets up part of the story. Batman encounters another vigilante known as Azrael, whose complicated life is touched upon throughout the story. Things quickly shift to the past where we meet the young man who will become the film’s primary adversary. Casual viewers may be familiar with the Bane character from both the 1997 Batman & Robin movie and Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises. In each of these, he’s presented as a hulking monster but not much deeper than that, ignoring much of the character’s history. In this new multi-part story, his background is fully fleshed out giving the grotesquely muscled monstrosity clear motivation.
There’s an extensive assortment of other characters, including some lesser-known members of Batman’s rogue’s gallery, such as Victor Zsasz, Catman, and Firefly along with the usual suspects. On the hero’s side, we also get Robin, Alfred, Commissioner Gordon, and Dr. Kinsolving. There are almost too many characters jammed into the relatively brief 78-minute run time. While Bane’s backstory is established, it’s at the cost of Azrael, who remains underdeveloped and a bit of a mystery. I’ll cut the story some slack here, since this is only part one of the story and not meant to stand on its own.
The movie moves along quickly, with plenty of action. There’s an investigation element that’s often lacking in these films, but it amounts to little more than a dot-to-dot type of plot rather than one that relies on real insight and deduction. If you’re looking for a Sherlock Holmes type of mystery, this won’t fit the bill. But if you want action, this one has it in spades.
The voice acting is solid all around. Anson Mount begins his portrayal of Batman in the stoic manner we’re used to, one that changes as the story unfolds. He can’t replace Kevin Conroy, but he makes the character his own. Unlike Tom Hardy’s mumbling version of Bane, Michael Mando speaks slowly and methodically, taking the time to clearly enunciate each of his carefully chosen words. This gives the character a much more ominous tone, rather than just presenting him as a crazed hulk of a man.
Visuals: The 4K UHD disc shines. The 2D animation style evokes elements of the classic Batman: The Animated Series, but the 4K picture shows much finer line work, bold, tack-sharp graphics, and deep inky blacks. There are also some enhancements that show up in things like variable focus, adding depth to the image, lighting effects, and fog. The painted backgrounds help create the correct mood and atmosphere. Like other DC animated features, there is some jerkiness to the animation, but one quickly gets used to it.
Audio: While I wish the disc would have featured an Atmos mix, it is an excellent example of how good even 5.1 DTS-HD MA can sound. Surrounds are lively, enhancing the excellent panning effects as well as adding immersion. Voices are clear and intelligible. Action scenes are filled with punchy bass.
The orchestral score soars for the main theme and punctuated with pulse-pounding drums and moody synth work. It’s melded well to the timing of the story while also adding to the emotional moments.
Special Features: Both of the included shorts show that the creators really care about the characters and the story. They’re worth watching for Batman fans.
- Breaking the Bat: Adapting the Knightfall
- Batman Needs a Robin
Final Verdict: It’s tough to give the first entry in a series a rating; so much depends on how the next two acts are handled. Hence, the I, which I’ll revise after viewing Parts 2 and 3. I can say that it does a good job of teeing up the next installments, and I’m eager to see them.
Fans of the comic book run that this is based on will find plenty to like about it, while also finding some surprises. That’s not to say you have to be a super fan to enjoy it, casual viewers will still be able to follow along. My wife liked it as much as I did and we’re looking forward to seeing what comes next.
Foreboding Quote: "That is not a boy. That is a demon. A bane to everything that is holy."
https://youtu.be/90HAqMk7qv0
This review was written by a human without the use of AI.
My Review System:
JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
Elite Screens Sable Frame B2 117” Width with Infinitely Variable Height
Monolith by Monoprice HTP-1 16 Channel Processor with Dirac Live
Monolith by Monoprice 7x200 Watts Amp
Monolith by Monoprice 3x200 Watts + 6x100 Watts Amp
JBL Studio 590 for Left, Center, Right, Wides, and Rears
JBL Studio 580 for Side Surrounds
JBL Studio SCS 8 for Tops
JTR Captivator 1400 Subwoofer X 4
Panasonic DP-UB420 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
NVIDIA Shield Android TV - 4K
Xbox One X
HTPC Running madVR (work in progress)
Remote: URC MX-780
Mini DSP 2X4 HD controlling all subwoofers
APC S15 Power Conditioner with Battery Backup