Batman: Bad Blood (Blu-Ray + DVD + Digital HD)

Blu-Ray Reviews | Feb 2nd, 2016

Starring: Jason O’Mara, Yvonne Strahovski, Stuart Allen, Sean Maher, Morena Baccarin
Written By: J.M. DeMatteis
Directed By: Jay Olivia
Studio: Warner Bros. Animation
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What happens when Batman, the consummate loner, suddenly has a family…a Bat Family…to complicate and or amplify his quest for justice? “Batman: Bad Blood” answers that question but by focusing more on family members Nightwing, Batwing, Batwoman and Robin than on Batman himself.

“Batman: Bad Blood” is more of a Nightwing story than a Batman-centric story. During a battle with a new villain Batman is thought dead or missing with the only witness being the mysterious Batwoman. Doing something that he has tried to avoid his whole life, Nightwing aka Dick Grayson takes up the mantle of Batman in order to carry on his legacy all the while searching for the missing Dark Knight. With the help of the new Robin, Damien Wayne as well as newcomer Batwing, the Bat Family uncovers a sinister plot to take control of all world powers.

First off, what I liked the most about this movie was that it was a Batman movie with very little Batman in it. Secondly, Nightwing has always been one of my favorite DC characters so it was good to see him in a starring role. I also found the New 52 version of Batwoman very interesting. Her origin includes Batman in it, but it has its own take on the Bat-vigilante character. I know a little bit about from friends that were big fans of her recent comics but really had no personal investment in her. I guess I’ll have to pick of her some trades up now. I felt that the Batwing character was kind of forced into the story and the plot could have stayed the same with or without him.

Compared to what Marvel has out there at the moment in regards to animation, the DC animated movies are in a whole other league. While Marvel may be the leader on the big screen, their animated series and movies are lacking. While there are some notable exceptions such as Wolverine and the X-Men, Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, the Dr. Strange animated movie and Spectacular Spider-Man, shows like Ultimate Spider-Man, the movie version of the Avengers animated series and the countless awful Avengers team-up CGI garbage are really nothing more than a collected effort to push the movie characters and to sell more toys.

With the DC animated movies you have something that can only be described as American anime. The style is one part modern comic book and one part Samurai Champloo. And then you have the fight scenes, which are about as visceral and choreographed as anything that you’ll see on the big screen. Top that off with original stories or stories that are inspired by the comics that can rival just about any of the books that inspired them and you have nothing short of a work of masterpiece. “Batman: Bad Blood” is no exception. I would place this right up there with the two part “The Dark Knight Returns” animated movie and “Superman: Doomsday” as one of the best of the DC animated movies out there.

For anyone out there that are fans of the “Bat Family” characters, which I personally think are some of the best thing to happen to Batman comics in years, then this movie is for you. Throw in some cameos from Batman’s deplorable rogues’ gallery as well as an original story written by comic scribe J.M. DeMatteis, amazing animation, spectacular fight scenes as well as getting the chance to see Alfred kick some ass…and you’ll have yourself one hell of a good time.

Own it on Blu-Ray Deluxe Edition, Blu-Ray Combo Pack, DVD & Digital HD on February 2!

Features:
Exclusively on Blu-Ray:
Putting the Fight In Gotham Featurette
Expanding the Batman Family Featurette
From the DC Comics Vault – 2 Bonus Cartoons
Plus: A Sneak Peek at DC Universe’s Next Animated Movie: Justice League VS. Teen Titans

Video:
1080p High Definition 16×9 1.78:1
Audio:
English 5.1 DTS-HD MA
French Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
English, French and Spanish Subtitles

Bottom Line: A Batman animated movie that switches things up and allows the usual cast of supporting characters such as Nightwing and Batwoman to take the leading role as they search for the missing Caped Crusader.
Running Time: 74 Mins
Rating: PG-13

Extras Rating:

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