The Batman vs. Dracula [HD]

Better Than I Had Thought It Would Be
As far as animated Batman series go I much prefer the series that ran during the '90's on the WB rather than the current incarnation. In fact I've only seen a mere handful of the new series and just wasn't inspired enough to tune in for more. Well, if this direct to DVD movie is anything to go by I may have to change that attitude.

I had no intention of buying this DVD (no really, I swear I didn't) but something made me take a chance on it while I was picking up the other Batman DVD releases on that fateful Tuesday afternoon. Frankly I'm glad I did because "Batman vs Dracula" is really a dang good animated Batman adventure and a fine Halloween treat to boot. Now I won't claim it to be perfect (because it isn't) but it is a more than decent direct to DVD release.

The story involves Joker and Penguin escaping from Arkham Asylum in search of a treasure hidden within the depths of Gotham Cemetary. The Joker/Penguin alliance falls apart and it is the Penguin who...

This belfry isn't big enough for the both of them
I was bummed out when BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES and JUSTICE LEAGUE (UNLIMITED) were taken off the television. I did give the new BATMAN series a try, but I couldn't really get into it. Part of the reason, no doubt, is that I miss Kevin Conroy's never-to-be-surpassed voice portrayal of Batman/Bruce Wayne. Another reason is that the new series just isn't as good as the classic 1990s version. Nevertheless, on a whim, I purchased this animated movie and, to my surprise, ended up enjoying it. The Batman meets his perfect adversarial foil in the sanguinary Count, who taunts our hero: "Try as you may, you cannot out-bat me." This version of the Caped Crusader might be younger and, therefore, not as experienced or battle tested, but the same intensity and obsessive brooding are present. Definitely, he broods more here than he does in his regular series. True, Rino Romano isn't Kevin Conroy, but there's an earnestness and a certain timbre in his voice that made me not be as critical as I...

Very good feature!
Because I am not really a fan of the new "THE BATMAN" series, I was not looking forward to this feature film. However, having read so many good reviews on it, I decided to plunk down $20 bucks and give it a chance. I AM GLAD I DID!

As far as compared to the original Batman animated series storyline in terms of the animated films, I would have to rank it either third or tied with Batman Beyond: Return Of The Joker (Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm WILL ALWAYS BE number one to me)! Though not rated, I wouldn't recommended to young kids. Much like "Phantasm" and "Return Of The Joker", I would only recommend it to young teens or adults that are fans because there are some intense scenes in it.

As for the film itself, I think the makers of Blade: Trinity could've took notes on how to really bring out Dracula as THE BATMAN's version is very good! It sticks to the legend but goes about it very smartly and even educates on what's fact and what's fiction on vampirism! I was...

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