Directed By: Sam Liu
Story By: Bruce Timm
Teleplay By: James Krieg & Bruce Timm
Editor: Christopher D. Lozinski
Voices of: Kevin Conroy, Melissa Rauch, Paget Brewster, Loren Lester, John DiMaggio, Rob Paulesen, Mindy Sterling, Bruce Timm
This seems like it deserves to be more a two part episode of BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES of that show was still on unfortunately even then this would be too long. It also wouldn't rank necessarily as one of the better or favorite episodes.
This film has a weird self identification problem as it is perfectly silly for kids but also much of the material is adult and plays more for adults. Especially for fans of the hero. As it has so many nostalgic throwbacks to the past incarnations. Such as a fight that has the huge subtitles while fighting such as POW, BOOM, BLEED. And it has an awareness of the material.
As all in all this seems like a partial cash-in to go with the ever evolving popularity of the Harley Quinn character. Who feels only abbot off as she is voiced by actress Melissa Rauch instead of Arleen Sorkin, so that it's noticeable but not a deal breaker. Which is also what felt missing from the SUICIDE SQUAD portrayal was the distinct street wise accent the character has always in the cartoons.
Here she works away from the joker, but does involve her other partner in crime Poison Ivy. Though strangely enough here Harley is on the side of the heroes. It's just her methods are more unorthodox.
Unfortunately this film suffers the same fate of so far some of the live action D.C. universe films in terms of quality. Which is a shame as usually the animated D.C. universe films are on point.
The films story is so flimsy and uninteresting. That the reason more to watch the film is the distractions it offers. In this version things are much more sexualized. As portions of the film are devoted to showing and characters ogling over Harley and her body. Her backside in particular. There is also an implied sex scene. As well as Secondhand henchmen in the background as well as some course language used. Though this is also the first time there has been more juvenile humor centered around a fart joke.
Now if only they could have been that innovative with the whole project.
The downside is that the film does feel a bit more misogynistic then usual. Which is what the last animated film BATMAN: suffered from to. Here they spare BATMAN a sex scene and instead imply one involving Nightwing.
The way in which the film is self aware is that there is an appearance by another character from the D.C. Universe that is rare outside of it's own comic as it usually doesn't cross over and is played as a big moment only to be a cameo that really adds noting and doesn't matter which another character voices the disappointment.
The film also while having an ending ends right before the conclusion only to show the aftermath of the suggested action that was implied. While also having BATMAN and Nightwing exhibit behavior that seems unlike them usually but I guess we are supposed to accept for this films and it's Off center tone.
While I enjoyed the film for some of it's innovations. They seem there more to cover up a weak story and seem to be kind of a dumbing down of the material, but also allowing for more real consequences and behavior the characters. One element I enjoyed was show by that Harley who was once a doctor. Has a hard time getting a job that she is more than capable of doing because of her past and is forced to take low pay by mediocre jobs. While anything Else that is offered is more exploitive and the struggles she has when going back to crime would be easier and financially satisfying.
Grade: C
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