Batman Original Movies [3 Discs]

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 3
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 (Pre-1954 Standard)
• Audio: Dolby Digital Surround
• Features:
  • [None specifed]

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Kevin Conroy - Batman
       Dana Delany - Andrea Beaumont
       Hart Bochner - Arthur Reeves
       Stacy Keach - Phantasm/Carl Beaumont
       Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. - Alfred Pennyworth
       Abe Vigoda - Sal Valestra
       Dick Miller - Chuckie Sol
       John Ryan - Buzz Bronski
       Angie Harmon - Barbara Gordon

• Director:

  Boyd Kirkland, Curt Geda, Eric Radomski, Bruce Timm

• Producer:

  Randy Rogel, Boyd Kirkland, Bruce Timm, Michael E. Uslan, Benjamin Melniker

• Screenwriter:

  Randy Rogel, Boyd Kirkland

• Screen Story:

  Bruce Timm, Paul Dini

• Screenwriter:

  Paul Dini

• Screen Story:

  Glen Murakami

• Screenwriter:

  Alan Burnett, Michael Reaves, Martin Paso

• Songwriter:

  Michael McCuistion

• Composer (Music Score):

  Shirley Walker

• Co-producer:

  Alan Burnett, Eric Radomski

• Associate Producer:

  Haven Alexander

• Executive Producer:

  Michael E. Uslan, Benjamin Melniker, Tom Ruegger

• Character Design:

  Bob Kane

REVIEWS:

• Steeped in controversy, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker is about as dark and violent as family animation can get. It also happens to be the best interpretation of the character since the Batman: The Animated Series premiered in 1992. While the story does, indeed, follow the heir to the Dark Knight's throne -- Batman Beyond -- anyone who is familiar with the revamped series will know how integral Bruce Wayne is to the basic story line. With Batman Beyond: The Movie already covering the original Caped Crusader's last days on the job, Return of the Joker takes things one step further and lets viewers in on the final, climatic battle with the clown prince of crime, The Joker. Told through flashbacks, it's a brutal and nasty moment that shows once and for all why the character is undoubtedly regarded as a psychopath. Credit should go to Mark Hamill, who devilishly takes center stage as the maniacal villain once again, concocting a wicked performance that's both hilarious and downright disturbing at the same time. Thankfully, the rest of the animated film is just as tight, combining the perfect amount of drama, mystery, and full-blown bat-action for the audience to eat up. With flawless character design and highly stylized fight choreography, the feature is a visual marvel that never fails to impress. In fact, the storytelling is so visceral and seamless that it's amazing that the film was done in such a short amount of time only to be dumped to the video market (for which, in all fairness, it was developed). It might be a little extreme for the youngins, but for all others, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker is a true classic that delivers an inventive and adventurous take on the character's mythos. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi
• Warner Bros.' first foray into animated features for their Batman franchise continued the television series' signature noir-ish aesthetics as well as the creator's attention to character-driven story lines, making Batman: Mask of the Phantasm a satisfying adventure yarn with all of the flourishes that fans had come to expect from the groundbreaking show. The scale of the tale is larger in both scope and emotional resonance as Bruce Wayne is tested by his memories of his first love and by his subsequent transformation into the crime-fighting superhero that all criminals fear. With solid voice talent backing up their three-dimensional roles and a real mystery intermixed with grand action scenes, the film makes for a nicely packaged Batman flick that, while geared toward the youngsters, still manages to keep a strong integrity for the character and his mythos. The film does have its dark underpinnings, though, as seen years after the character's later incarnations, but signature moments do tend to be played a tad lighter than usual (Bruce and Alfred's banter especially). Still, it's a solid story that's handled expertly by people who nailed the hero long before Joel Schumacher went and destroyed him. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi