SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 1 Hr., 18 Min.
This 2018 DC animated film loosely adapts 1989’s Batman: Gotham By Gaslight graphic novel – DC Comics’ first Elseworlds project. Days before hosting the World’s Fair, a Victorian-era Gotham City is besieged after nightfall by a knife-wielding serial killer targeting the city’s perceived prostitutes. Simultaneously, the vigilante Batman is now protecting Gotham’s most defenseless from street crime.
Facing off against one another, the Dark Knight and the Ripper find that stage entertainer Selina Kyle has her own hellbent score to settle with the elusive killer. Worse yet, this fearsome adversary can successfully fend them both off in 2-on-1 combat. Other wildcards in play are Police Commissioner James Gordon, Police Chief Harvey Bullock, and District Attorney Harvey Dent in their efforts to thwart the grisly murders.
Personal tragedy strikes Gotham’s greatest philanthropist, Bruce Wayne, who finds himself framed for the Ripper’s murders, including a beloved friend. Mere hours before the World’s Fair’s opening, Batman races the clock to reach down his foe before the Ripper strikes the one closest to Bruce Wayne’s heart.
Note: Unlike the graphic novel, Batman’s tragic origin dating back to childhood is neither depicted nor re-imagined. The film only briefly alludes to why Bruce Wayne began his familiar obsession declaring war on street crime.
Principal Voice Cast:
Bruce Wayne/Batman: Bruce Greenwood
Selina Kyle: Jennifer Carpenter
Alfred Pennyworth: Anthony Head
District Attorney Harvey Dent: Yuri Lowenthal
Commissioner James Gordon: Scott Patterson
Sister Leslie Tompkins, Jason Todd, & Selina Kyle’s Singing Voice: Grey Griffin
Timmy Drake & Marlene Mahoney: Tara Strong
Dickie Grayson: Lincoln Milcher
Hugo Strange: William Salyers
Barbara Eileen-Gordon & Pamela “Poison Ivy” Isley: Kari Wuhrer
Police Chief Harvey Bullock & Big Dill Dust: John DiMaggio
Mayor Tolliver: Bob Joles
Note: Though the entire set of bonus features may not be included, this R-rated title is also available digitally and on DVD.
REVIEW:
Enhanced by impressive production values, this grisly animated adaptation surpasses its source material. Instead of transplanting Jack the Ripper from London as a ‘sequel’ to the killer’s historical notoriety, this version devises its own shadowy ‘Ripper’ to face Gotham’s rookie Dark Knight. Cleverly, the film adheres far closer to familiar Bat-mythology, including the presence of Selina Kyle, Poison Ivy, Hugo Strange, a trio of young Robins, and even a name drop of ‘Cyrus Gold’ (a reference to DC’s Solomon Grundy). Hence, this adaptation benefits from a welcome unpredictability in its plot twists.
Two caveats, however, should be considered. One: the film’s R-rating allows the Ripper’s bloody predatorial stalking of women to be visualized in multiple brutal deaths; the same applies to brief nudity and profanities. Two: deviating from Brian Augustyn’s graphic novel, the culprit’s identity has been changed, presumably for shock value purposes. The gamble mostly works, but it’s justifiable that Bat-fans may be unhappy at the desecration of an iconic character.
Ultimately, Batman: Gotham By Gaslight scores on all creative counts: spot-on voice casting (especially Bruce Greenwood & Jennifer Carpenter), high-caliber animation, and a haunting musical score. Despite a disturbing violence quotient, the animated Gotham By Gaslight fulfills its creative potential.
BONUS FEATURES:
Language options and subtitles consist of: English, Dutch, French, Portuguese, Spanish-Castellano, and Spanish-Latino. Optional audio commentary with executive producer Bruce Timm, screenwriter Jim Krieg, and director/producer Sam Lieu is available.
Aside from the trailer for the animated Batman vs. Two-Face (Adam West’s final Batman project), sneak peeks are included for upcoming DC animated films: Justice League Dark, Batman: Bad Blood, and Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay. There is also a featurette entitled “Caped Fear: The First Elseworld.”
The two bonus cartoons are: 1. Batman – The Brave and the Bold’s “Trials of the Demon!,” which includes appearances from Sherlock Holmes & Dr. John Watson; Jay Garrick’s Flash; Scream Queen (a purplish re-working of Silver Banshee); the Scarecrow; Jason Blood/The Demon; and the Gentleman Ghost; and 2. Batman: The Animated Series’ “Showdown,” which co-stars Ra’s al Ghul in Jonah Hex’s animated debut.
Re: “The Trials of the Demon!” (6 Stars), it is a fun supernatural caper where the Gentleman Ghost proves a most formidable Bat-foe. Still, this episode’s most glaring weakness is Holmes’ ludicrous instant ‘deductions’ confirming Batman’s intents and origin – no matter Holmes’ legendary observational talents, he is not that good.
As for the flashback-driven “Showdown” (8 Stars), pitting an adaptation of Jonah Hex vs. Ra’s al Ghul is an inspired Western action-adventure. This episode’s final plot twist is exceptionally well-played.
PACKAGING:
Possessing a standard casing, this Blu-Ray’s contents are accurately advertised.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
