Son of Batman Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Son of Batman" presents several notable issues in its video presentation, primarily due to the inherent limitations of the source animation. The foremost concern is the prevalent color banding that affects various scenes, especially in skies, shadows, and around light sources. Macroblocking also appears intermittently, further detracting from the viewing experience. These visual anomalies are compounded by apparent softness, aliasing, and occasional pixilation, which can be distracting for discerning viewers. Despite these issues, it is worth noting that most can be traced back to the original animation rather than the 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer, indicating a lower budget or rushed production process.

On a positive note, the Blu-ray does deliver some redeeming qualities in its visual port. Colors can be rich and vibrant at times, with black levels being commendably deep and consistent. The contrast, though somewhat muted, maintains uniformity throughout the film. Detail quality is generally good given the 2D animation's inherent smoothness and lack of texture. Additionally, there's impressive depth in some scenes, such as the atmospheric three-dimensional portrayal of Arkham Asylum. The overall clarity is satisfactory, with the presentation being clean, clear, and crisp, devoid of unwanted noise or artifacts.

Overall, while "Son of Batman" surpasses its DVD counterpart in terms of video quality, it still faces challenges that prevent it from fully showcasing the potential of high-definition animation. The consistent issues with banding and macroblocking remain significant drawbacks. However, for fans of DC animated movies, despite its imperfections, the Blu-ray version provides a watchable experience that aligns with previous DC animated releases.

The audio presentation of "Son of Batman" on Blu-ray is anchored by an English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track, which proves to be robust, though not exemplary. Dialogue is consistently crisp, clear, and well-balanced against the musical score and ambient sounds. Aggressive LFE outputs during action sequences impart some impact, though the low-frequency extension lacks the profound depth for more immersive experiences. Rear speakers actively contribute ambient noises such as rain, but fall short of delivering a fully enveloping soundfield.

Dynamic balance between voice, score, and effects is commendable, providing a sense of place even if volume play with distance is limited. Directionality is present but underutilized, diminishing the immersive potential desired in a lossless track. Despite these shortcomings, the track is free from technical glitches, dropouts, or distortions. Vocals remain front and center, ensuring clarity throughout.

In addition to the primary English track, the Blu-ray also offers Dolby 5.1 tracks in Spanish (Latin), German, French, and Portuguese, along with a Dolby 2.0 track in Spanish (Castilian). Subtitles are available in multiple languages including English SDH, Spanish (Latin), Spanish (Castilian), French, German, and Portuguese. Overall, while not achieving reference quality, the audio experience is reliable and satisfactory for most viewers.

The Blu-ray release of "Son of Batman" includes a robust selection of extras that enhance the viewer's understanding and enjoyment of the core film. The supplemental content is well-curated, providing both historical context and creative insights. Fans will appreciate the detailed discussions led by notable figures such as Grant Morrison and Phil Bourassa, which delve into character design and the intricate lore surrounding Damian Wayne and the League of Assassins. Additionally, a sneak peek at "Batman: Assault on Arkham" offers promising insight into the future of DC's animated universe. The inclusion of episodes from past Batman animated series is a nostalgic bonus, even though they are presented in SD.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Fang and the Demon Head: The League of Assassins: Overview of Ra's al Ghul, Talia, and the League of Assassins.
• Strange Blood Ties: Damian Wayne: Exploration of Damian Wayne’s motivations and challenges.
• Designing the Characters with Phil Bourassa: Process of character design for heroes and villains.
• Batman: Assault on Arkham Sneak Peek: Behind-the-scenes preview of the next DCU animated movie.
• From the DC Comics Vault: Four classic Batman episodes from various animated series.
• Trailers: Promotional trailers for related DC and Warner Bros properties.

"Son of Batman" delivers a bold narrative and ambitious visual style, immersing viewers in an intense journey that opens with a gripping assault on the League of Assassins' mountain stronghold. The story, adapted from Grant Morrison's "Batman and Son" arc, introduces Damian Wayne, a highly trained and vengeful young assassin who is unknowingly Bruce Wayne's son. As Talia al Ghul seeks Batman's help to protect Damian following Ra's al Ghul's death, the film sets up a complex father-son dynamic and explores themes of vengeance versus justice. However, despite these efforts, the film's pacing suffers from abrupt transitions and a cluttered storyline dotted with too many supporting characters and subplots.

The script penned by James Robinson and Joe R. Lansdale is marred by disjointedness, leaping from one climactic encounter to another without sufficient narrative cohesion. Batman's surreal acceptance of his newfound son lacks emotional depth, while Damian's character arc feels superficial, reducing his complex evolution to a simplistic "from A to B" progression. Voice performances yield mixed results; Jason O'Mara portrays Batman with stoic resolve but misses the emotional nuance needed, while Thomas Gibson's miscast as Deathstroke becomes apparent amid the clamor. Visually, however, "Son of Batman" manages to leave an impact with its kinetic animation and dynamic fight scenes. Yet, these attributes can't fully mask the narrative's deficiencies or the underutilization of iconic villains such as Ra's al Ghul and Killer Croc.

Overall, "Son of Batman" is a venture filled with potential but hobbled by its execution. It stands out among the DC animated ventures for its attempts at character development but fails to provide a cohesive or compelling storyline. The film’s scale of action and violent sequences are noteworthy but often stray into silliness due to inconsistent character abilities and logical lapses. Consequently, while it offers flashy entertainment for die-hard fans, "Son of Batman" leaves much to be desired in terms of storytelling depth and narrative satisfaction.

"Son of Batman" on Blu-ray presents a mixed bag for DCU animated movie fans. While the narrative struggles to meet the high bar set by other DC animated features, the animation remains consistently striking. The storyline does not leverage its potential to elevate over more renowned and clever DC Comics tales. The compact runtime limits character development, making it difficult to justify sidelining other heroes who may offer greater potential and richer scripts. Despite these shortcomings, some viewers might find enjoyment in this entry if approached with tempered expectations.

The Blu-ray release offers a commendable technical presentation. Warner Brothers' high-definition transfer showcases the film’s vibrant, dynamic animation, making it a visually engaging experience. Fans will appreciate the inclusion of high-definition versions of classic animated series episodes as bonus content, even though the supplemental package feels somewhat scant. This additional content underscores the studio's commitment to enriching the viewing experience, though it does leave room for expansion, potentially calling for full-season releases of iconic series like Batman: The Animated Series.

In conclusion, "Son of Batman" is ambitious but falls short of being a standout in the DCU animated lineup. It struggles with narrative depth and fails to fully capitalize on its premise. However, the visual execution and bonus material might still appeal to dedicated fans of the genre. Given its limitations and strengths, this Blu-ray release is best suited for Batman enthusiasts and collectors who aim to complete their DCU animated library but might not appeal as strongly to those seeking the high watermark of the franchise.