Batman: Caped Crusader embraces the dark and gritty noir style that fans expect from Batman, but also delivers on great comedic moments as well.
Nothing will ever beat Batman: The Animated Series, but fans will be thrilled to hear that Batman: Caped Crusader comes pretty darn close. Thanks to a fresh and unique take on some of DC’s most famous villains, this series delivers a Batman that is both familiar and different. It leans heavily into the dark and gritty noir style that is synonymous with Batman and Gotham, while also offering up some pretty great comedic moments.
The idea to put Bruce Wayne and Batman in a period setting is brilliant, and is the main reason why this series works as well as it does. Due to his detective nature, it just makes sense to take Batman out of the modern world. While it is not as good, or memorable, as The Animated Series, it does give it a run for its money.
The animation style itself is very reminicent of Batman: The Animated Series, the story is intriguing and exciting, and the action is top-notch. There is a lot to love about this series, and very little to not love.
Hamish Linklater does a fantastic job of voicing the iconic hero, putting his own spin on the voice without taking away from the icons who have done it before him. It seems as if he pulls inspiration from the past, while being sure to bring something new to it as well.
The biggest switch up comes with the villains in this series. For fear of spoilers, we will not get into it, but know that this Harley Quinn (voiced by Jamie Chung) is not the one viewers know and love. But trust me, this is not a bad thing. In fact, it is a great thing.
Penguin is also not as you might expect. This time around Penguin is female, named Oswalda Cooblepot, and voiced by the legendary Minnnie Driver. She has two sons, who are absolutely hilarious and make great additions to the series.
Other notable performances include Diedrich Bader as Harvey Dent, Tom Kenny as Firebug, McKenna Grace as Nocturna, and Christina Ricci as Catwoman.
Because of these drastic changes, it may take some viewers a couple of episodes to settle in. But if you can open up your mind, the payoff is there. Do not give up after just one episode, keep going and you will be rewarded.
Batman: Caped Crusader comes to Prime Video on August 1st. Batman and DC fans alike will be thrilled, as it offers a fun, unique take on Gotham and its residents, while still delivering a familiar feel.
We certainly want a season 2, and expect that most fans will feel the same way.
NEXT: The Penguin Series: SDCC 2024 Panel Highlights
About Batman: Caped Crusader
Welcome to Gotham City, where the corrupt outnumber the good, criminals run rampant and law-abiding citizens live in a constant state of fear. Forged in the fire of tragedy, wealthy socialite Bruce Wayne becomes something both more and less than human—the BATMAN. His one-man crusade for justice attracts unexpected allies within the GCPD and City Hall, but his heroic actions spawn deadly, unforeseen ramifications.
The series is a reimagining of the Batman mythology through the visionary lens of executive producers J.J. Abrams, Matt Reeves and Bruce Timm. Based on DC characters, Batman: Caped Crusader hails from Warner Bros. Animation, Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions and Reeves’ 6th & Idaho. Along with Abrams, Reeves and Timm, Batman: Caped Crusader executive producers include Ed Brubaker, James Tucker, Daniel Pipski, Rachel Rusch Rich, and Sam Register.
Batman: Caped Crusader starts streaming on Prime Video August 1st.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Batman: Caped Crusader embraces the dark and gritty noir style that fans expect from Batman, but also delivers on great comedic moments as well.
-
8.5
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.