"Batman: Bad Blood" Feature Talkback (Spoilers)

[James Harvey]

Justice runs in the family!

​

Batman: Bad Blood
Studio: Warner Bros. Animation
Release Date: January 19th, 2016 - Digital; February 2nd, 2016 - Blu-ray/DVD

Synopsis: The mysterious disappearance of Batman, coupled with the emergence of powerful and malevolent new villains in Gotham City, force Nightwing (voice of Sean Maher) and Robin (Stuart Allan) to take crime-fighting into their own hands – while simultaneously searching for their missing leader. They’re not alone for long. New super heroes Batwoman (Yvonne Strahovski) and Batwing (Gaius Charles) – each armed with her/his own sensibilities, physical abilities and crime-fighting tools – arrive in Gotham to assist in the cause. As this new “family” strives to find its own dynamic, chilling clues lead the group to suspect the Dark Knight may have gone over to the dark side. It’s up to the entire Bat team to uncover the truth before Gotham City falls prey to its greatest threat yet.

As the voice of Batman, Jason O’Mara (Complications, Terra Nova) leads a celebrity-laden cast that includes Yvonne Strahovski (Chuck, 24, The Astronauts Wives Club) as Batwoman/Katherine Kane, Morena Baccarin (Homeland, Gotham) as Talia al Ghul, Sean Maher (Firefly, Serenity, Much Ado About Nothing) as Nightwing, Gaius Charles (Grey’s Anatomy, Friday Night Lights, Aquarius) as Batwing, Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters) as Lucius Fox, and Stuart Allan (Batman vs. Robin) as Robin/Damian Wayne. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, Batman: Bad Blood is directed by Jay Oliva (Man of Steel, Batman vs. Robin) from a script by J.M. DeMatteis (Batman vs. Robin). James Tucker (Justice League: Throne of Atlantis, Batman vs. Robin) is Supervising Producer. Benjamin Melniker & Michael Uslan are Executive Producers. Sam Register is Executive Producer.

Discuss the Batman: Bad Blood animated feature!

Please post all discussions concerning about the Batman: Bad Blood animated feature in this thread! Discussion on the Blu-ray/DVD/Digital release of Batman: Bad Blood can be found in the proper talkback linked below.

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Note: Remember, this talkback thread is for discussion of the feature film. If you wish to talk about the home media release, please click on the appropriate link above. We appreciate and encourage discussion, but please keep your posts civil, relevant and insightful. Please do not post any improper or inflammatory material, as we will issue warnings if we believe it necessary. And remember to keep the discussion ON-TOPIC!

 

[Spider-Man]

I was really glad my iTunes pre-order resulted in the movie being loaded on my phone so I could watch it on the way to work (I have a long commute) becuase I see on Twitter at least one cameo has been ruined. It's a shame because it was a great cameo that was a complete surprise and has me counting the minutes until the next Batman DTV. This movie itself was easily the best New-52 movie to date and the trailer actually give nothing away of what the actual plot of the movie is. While I'll start posting with spoilers next time in here I just want to warn those who haven't seen the movie but are reading this post to avoid spoilers at all cost. There are characters, events and cameos that are not in the trailer or any of the EPK/promotional stuff yet so be careful if you want to be truly surprised.

Maybe it's the fact that this movie wasn't ruined or spelled out in the trailers but there was a lot of great stuff in here and despite owning it on iTunes I imagine I'll get the Blu-ray too. It's really good and a great effort.

 

[Troy Troodon]

Spoilers ---


Matthew Mercer is in it! Thank you, Wes Gleason ^^

Ok in all seriousness though I-- still am not happy with these kind'a movies. Granted it's better than the first two, but again it's still not good. If anything really I was just laughing at the absurdity of this story and it's characters. Sort of like with, Rise of Arsenal, it's not so much a compelling story so much as the material of a satire.

The film was just so inept with how "Edgy" it was, that it practically made fun of itself.

With all the deaths, the questionable context of the characters and ect) this film is just enjoyably bad, and bad none the less.

I'd probably rate this as... 6.5 of out 11. (Because I like to go one step further)

So sophist to say after watching up to the very end, it looks like there is going to be a fourth film, and hopefully... hopefully, it may turn out to be much, much better than the first three.

 

[Bestmand902]

I really, really enjoyed this movie! I really liked a lot of the characters, and the plot twist was pretty cool too!
Also, is it just me, or was some stuff changed from the sneak peek? I mean, I feel like I remember their being a scene in the sneak peek wherein Batwoman pointed her guns at Damian, and that was nowhere in the movie.

 

[Troy Troodon]

I mean, I feel like I remember their being a scene in the sneak peek wherein Batwoman pointed her guns at Damian, and that was nowhere in the movie.

Well I'm glad that bit was removed, frankly.

 

[Bestmand902]

Well I'm glad that bit was removed, frankly.

I'm glad it was removed too, I'm just pointing out that it was removed.

 

[James Harvey]

Spoiler discussion is definitely allowed here, with or without the use of spoiler space. A thread marked with Spoilers will obviously contain spoiler discussion. Viewers who have yet to see the movie are cautioned to avoid this thread if they don't want some of the film's major surprises spoiled, but are welcome to view and join the conversation as they know the risks.

 

[Troy Troodon]

Spoiler discussion is definitely allowed here, with or without the use of spoiler space. A thread marked with Spoilers will obviously contain spoiler discussion. Viewers who have yet to see the movie are cautioned to avoid this thread if they don't want some of the film's major surprises spoiled, but are welcome to view and join the conversation as they know the risks.

Thanks man.

Spoilers ---


Matthew Mercer is in it! Thank you, Wes Gleason ^^

Ok in all seriousness though I-- still am not happy with these kind'a movies. Granted it's better than the first two, but again it's still not good. If anything really I was just laughing at the absurdity of this story and it's characters. Sort of like with, Rise of Arsenal, it's not so much a compelling story so much as the material of a satire.

The film was just so inept with how "Edgy" it was, that it practically made fun of itself.

With all the deaths, the questionable context of the characters and ect) this film is just enjoyably bad, and bad none the less.

I'd probably rate this as... 6.5 of out 11. (Because I like to go one step further)

So sophist to say after watching up to the very end, We do get a first look at Batgirl (Which is a nice looking design btw) so it looks like there is going to be a fourth film, and hopefully... hopefully, it may turn out to be much, much better than the first three.

 

[-batmat-]

(just in case) SPOILERS!!!!!!!!

"Granted it's better than the first two, but again it's still not good."

Basically my thoughts. I mean, the edgy stuff is so annoying. So, you wanna show Batwoman is a lesbian? Ok, have her have a date with Renee Montoya. But why do you have to put porn music in the background? It was so uncomfortable. So was Starfire on the phone with Dick.

I really liked the Heretic, I was a little dissapointed they killed him off. When he took off his mask and said to Damian "I'm you" I thought for a moment they were going for a time travel thing, thank God they didn't!!! Even though the real thing as a little bit weird and creepy, I liked that they went with an original character and not just have a "new" masked character just turning out to be an old character.

There were a couple of things to like, loved the cameos and unexpected characters showing up (Penguin, Black Mask, Mad Hatter, Batgirl). I liked Batwoman, I enjoyed her attitude, and her dislike towards Damian (which I share with her).

Dick outdid himself with the "nunjas" pun on this one...

It feels weird that everyone (even Alfred!!) kill villains but when Bruce comes close (even if it's Damian and Dick and they obviously have to talk him out of it) they are all like "you don't kill!!!!" It feels like he's the only one who doesn't. Though, I liked the bit of Damian trying to save Walrus.

I enjoyed the Chuckie Sol cameo, that was a nice callback to Mask of the Phantasm.

Just like the preevious movies in this continuity, I watched this movie basically waiting for it to end, they're not bad movies, but I don't plan on rewatching them anytime soon. Gods and monsters on the other hand....

 

[TheVileOne]

Batwing really served no purpose in this story other than to have him there.

I enjoyed Nightwing getting a more prominent role, but there were too many subplots for a 70 minute feature only. I liked the conflict of Nightwing having trouble dealing with Bruce Wayne's attitude and mindset, I enjoyed his verbalizing to get Bruce Wayne to snap out of the brain washing.

I'm glad Damian is back in the fold. I was not happy with the ending to Batman vs. Robin. Damian leaving was silly. Him going to a monastery was silly. At least Damian should've learned something about what he wants, how he feels about justice, and following in his father's footsteps. Is that what he wants? Does he think he can help make a better world through Bruce or Ra's al Ghul's ideals? I think we needed more of that and less of Batwing.

Resolution with Talia was bad. Why did that assassin go after Talia? Was she supposed to be brainwashed too?

There was some really awkwardly written moments. For example, Robin fighting that one dude, he tries to save him, he's chanting Bruce's mantra, "Justice not vengeance!" He's being all cool and motivational. Oops, that dude died. He just casually died and got chopped up. No one addresses that Damian killed that dude. It reminded me of how poorly Wally's death was handled in Young Justice and just how awkwardly executed it was. Wally's too slow to keep up so his uncle is all, "Yeah slow down Bart, we're killing Wally. Oh well...too late. Yeah, Wally's dead as we casually run around this vortex and kill him with our speed energy."

How about what they did to Mad Hatter?

I mean good God. So killing everyone is OK as long as it's done indirectly? Why can't we just indirectly cause the Joker to die? If they are going to take it this far, there's no reason for Batman and co. not to kill because everyone around him is freaking doing it already.

 

[Bestmand902]

Resolution with Talia was bad. Why did that assassin go after Talia? Was she supposed to be brainwashed too?

I kinda thought that Onyx and Heretic were supposed to be close, and I believe there was a brief shot of Onyx glaring at Talia, so she was clearly pissed at her for killing Heretic

 

[Mostezli]

I don't particularly have much to say because the movie wasn't particularly bad or good
even though I enjoyed it for what it is.

Batwoman had the most development out of any of Bat-related characters, which is fine. I just wished the development of her past was more refreshing than just more exposition and flashback (really getting burned out by this in these comic book movies).

Batwing really served no purpose in this story other than to have him there.

Pretty Much as far as intro's go. He was useful as the Iron Man of this team. Plus now that I think about it, he is the only character with a character arc regardless of how basic it was.
Nightwing's resentment of being "in the shadow of the bat" was there for less than several seconds total.
Everyone just seemed to know he wasn't Bruce Wayne and I guess that was the running gag.
Heretic seemed like an interesting concept.
Another brainwashing/mind control plot, kill me now.
The moment that really kept my interest was Bruce's beautifully handled dream sequence.

All in all, this is my least "favorite" Oliva directed feature.

 

[Troy Troodon]

There was some really awkwardly written moments. For example, Robin fighting that one dude, he tries to save him, he's chanting Bruce's mantra, "Justice not vengeance!" He's being all cool and motivational. Oops, that dude died. He just casually died and got chopped up. No one addresses that Damian killed that dude.

I know, that's where I'm going with how this movie is more of a satire than a serious superhero story really is. The derailing plotlines, the explicit character development, the out of nowhere motifs, the title, everything about this movie, especially in contrast to the previous two films, is just laughably awful.

 

[TheVileOne]

I kinda thought that Onyx and Heretic were supposed to be close, and I believe there was a brief shot of Onyx glaring at Talia, so she was clearly pissed at her for killing Heretic

Why did she wait until that time to get revenge?

 

[Mostezli]

Why did she wait until that time to get revenge?

That villain getting away, but then "oh no!" cliche

 

[Troy Troodon]

That villain getting away, but then "oh no!" cliche

I know right?! Again, that's what's so funny about this movie. How could you not laugh at how dumb the movie was?

 

[Bestmand902]

How could you not laugh at how dumb the movie was?

Perhaps because people have opinions that aren't yours?

 

[TheVileOne]

Perhaps because people have opinions that aren't yours?

Calm down and try not to take it too seriously.

I begrudge no one who likes the film. It was action packed and it did have a lot of characters who we haven't really seen animated before too.

I just think the writing was a bit off and a lot of beats were awkwardly executed. Tonally the movie was very uneven.

 

[Bestmand902]

Calm down and try not to take it too seriously.

I begrudge no one who likes the film. It was action packed and it did have a lot of characters who we haven't really seen animated before too.

I just think the writing was a bit off and a lot of beats were awkwardly executed. Tonally the movie was very uneven.

You're right. Sorry. I should've thought about what I said before I said it.

 

[RoyThomasConan]

Hi guys, new here, but I've been reading the boards here on and off since 2006 or so. I've always come for the information on new projects and the insightful commentary. I've never felt it important to jump in to the conversation until recently though, so here goes.
I've been with my current girlfriend for just about as long as the DC Universe Animated Original Movie line started with Doomsday. I'm a big comic geek and she had been a fan of the DCAU growing up, so we would watch the new animated flicks as they came out, and we enjoyed the heck out of them. I'd explain the comics to her, and it got to a point where she'd proactively read archs that upcoming animated films were inspired by, and now she's a full blown monthly comic reader. The films have always felt like satisfying whole stories, with appropriate emphasis on character and spectacle. We also watch the films with my parents. My father has never read a comic in his life and he never will, but he's always been a big enthusiast of dc characters in television and film.
My long winded point is, for me an mine, these films were little events, three a year, that we all looked forward to and knew would be great fun.
But since Justice League: War, their enthusiasm has slipped. The movies all of a sudden lacked both substance and appropriate execution, the worst offenders so far for all being Son of Batman and Batman vs. Robin. They haven't left me satisfied but I remain optimistic. My family and girlfriend on the other hand, have basically given up on them. I had to prod and coax for a long while them into watching Gods and Monsters, and when they did, they got a taste of something that felt like a real movie again. They thought my he films were out of the rut, so my Dad purchased Bad Blood on iTunes and invited us over.
He'll never do that again. These films have no heart. They utilize for the "edginess" of sex and violence as they're only weapons. Extreme violence and sexuality are not something I protest. Many of the DC animated films prior used them. But they served the drama or the tension of the story. These new films tend to be like action porn for the kids with no attention span. They're less provocative, less thoughtful, frankly less intelligent films. They're as bad as a Fast & Furious movie, made only for the lowest common denominator and least discerning of audience members. The reason this is so damned frustrating is that since Batman the animated series almost all DC animation has never been spoon-fed to the audience and never relied on the audiences baser instincts for a thrill. It never talked down to us. Bad Blood was the final straw for the people I watch these with; and though I remain optimistic, I'll now be watching future installments alone. It seems some fans get such a thrill out of just seeing new animation that they can forgive this weak material, but I don't think anyone should ever be "grateful they're getting anything at all" as opposed to nothing being produced. That attitude is what makes producers think this crap is okay.

Anyway, as for my own opinion, I think Bad Blood was the best of the 3 Damien features so far, but still, a piss poor effort. The other problem with these three films for me personally(and i get the feeling it's just me) is they're not about Batman. I don't give a hoot if someone thinks Batman is overexposed in animation: if it's a Batman film I'M paying for, it's a Batman film I want. Damien remains insufferable, though mercifully tossed aside for a pair of new, largely inconsequential (especially Batwing) sidekicks.
And with the announcement that the Justice League will take a backseat in JL vs TT, And Damien being front and center, I fear that one may be even worse that Throne of Atlantis.
The reason I begrudge Bad Blood and it's predecessors is because they have no excuse for what they've become. We've seen genuine work for less resources and under much stronger restrictions.