Batman: Gotham by Gaslight Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Batman: Gotham by Gaslight" delivers a visually impressive, though intentionally muted experience that reflects the film's steampunk aesthetic. The encode handles the film's subdued color palette adeptly, with muted greys and greens dominating the scenes and occasional splashes of color, such as Selina Kyle’s red dress or Barbara Gordon’s orange hair, punctuating the otherwise flat stylization. Surprisingly, the notorious banding often seen in Warner and DC animated productions is minimal here, only surfacing in a few darker scenes. Fine detailing is commendable, enhancing the 19th-century Gotham City's gritty realism.

While the creative team reimagined Gotham City to fit the story's historical setting, they retained the minimalist style familiar to DCU fans. Colors are even more subdued than in contemporary settings, with select scenes featuring more vibrant hues, such as the cabaret show and World's Fair opening. Despite these brighter moments, the color saturation remains understated to maintain a consistent stylistic approach. Sequences involving flames showcase intense yellows and oranges, providing visual contrast against the predominantly dark, shadow-filled scenes. These nighttime visuals are crucial for concealing Jack the Ripper's identity, intentionally designed with a dim ambiance that Warner's 1080p, AVC-encoded Blu-ray reliably reproduces with solid blacks and minimal banding.

However, it is worth noting that Warner's animation group opted for a lower bitrate to include a large complement of extras on the BD-25, resulting in a feature bitrate just over 15 Mbps. Despite this limitation, the video presentation remains robust, effectively delivering the atmospheric and stylistic nuances vital to "Gotham by Gaslight's" unique visual identity.

The audio presentation of "Batman: Gotham by Gaslight" on Blu-ray and 4K UHD features an engaging 5.1 DTS-HD MA track that ranks highly in immersive quality and overall sound design. This mix effectively balances laid-back and aggressive moments, creating a dynamic soundscape that elevates the storytelling. Detective sequences rely heavily on forward audio elements, enhancing Bruce/Batman’s investigative actions. In contrast, the action sequences exploit the surround channels effectively, contributing to a fully immersive experience. The low-frequency effects (LFE) are particularly noteworthy, adding depth to the auditory experience through impactful punches, kicks, and environmental sounds like the rumbling of a fire during climactic scenes.

Throughout the film, the 5.1 mix ensures a broad dynamic range with a solid bass extension in key set pieces, such as the dirigible disaster. The rear channels are adeptly utilized, particularly for ambient sounds like footsteps, horse-drawn vehicles, and flying objects that move dynamically between the front and back channels. This meticulous attention to spatial audio cues enhances the cinematic atmosphere of Gotham’s reimagined cityscape. Vocal performances are rendered with clarity and are well balanced with both the action-packed and quieter moments, maintaining intelligibility without overpowering other elements.

Overall, this lossless DTS-HD MA mix makes notable contributions to the viewing experience. Frederik Wiedmann's understated score blends seamlessly with the track, complementing the film's tone without overshadowing dialogue or sound effects. Each element of the soundtrack is meticulously engineered to enhance both immersion and narrative clarity, making "Batman: Gotham by Gaslight" a technically sound choice for audio enthusiasts.

The Blu-ray extras for "Batman: Gotham by Gaslight" offer a comprehensive dive into the making and legacy of this unique adaptation. The standout featurette, "Caped Fear: The First Elseworld," provides an in-depth analysis of Batman’s reinvention within a 19th-century Gotham, touching on its comic book origins and its enduring appeal. Complementing this is a thoughtful audio commentary by Executive Producer Bruce Timm, Director Sam Liu, and Writer Jim Krieg, delivering valuable insights into the creative process behind this project. Fans are also treated to previews of upcoming DC Universe Movies, with an engaging sneak peek at "Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay." Additionally, episodes from "Batman: The Animated Series" and "Batman: The Brave and the Bold" are included, enriching the viewing experience with classic animated adventures from the DC Vault.

Extras included in this disc:

• Caped Fear: The First Elseworld: Insightful history of the alternate superhero universe and the research behind the 19th-century Gotham design.
• Batman: Gotham by Gaslight Audio Commentary: In-depth commentary from key creators on various production elements.
• A Sneak Peek at the next DC Universe Movie, Suicide Squad: Hell To Pay: Behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming movie.
• From the DC Vault – Showdown episode from Batman: The Animated Series; Trials of the Demon! episode from Batman: The Brave and the Bold: Classic episodes offering additional animated Batman content.

"Batman: Gotham by Gaslight" offers a refreshing yet darkly captivating plunge into an alternate universe, presenting Bruce Wayne's transformation amidst the shadowy streets of an 1889 Gotham under siege by Jack the Ripper. The film, adeptly helmed by veteran DC director Sam Liu, deviates significantly from the original 1989 graphic novel, introducing Sherlock Holmesian and Steampunk elements to craft a unique narrative experience. With Bruce Greenwood's competent portrayal of the Dark Knight, audiences traverse a reimagined Gotham illuminated by nascent electricity and enveloped in Victorian-era aesthetics. Noteworthy is the careful redesign of Gotham City and its inhabitants, which infuses the familiar tale with new vigor.

The movie excels in weaving intricate character dynamics and alluding to Batman lore. Selina Kyle, voiced by Jennifer Carpenter, emerges as a formidable ally and adversary, representing an independent crusader whose paths intersect compellingly with Batman's. The film introduces several Batman regulars – Commissioner Gordon, Harvey Dent, Hugo Strange – in fittingly retro roles, enhancing the story’s depth while preserving a constant sense of mystery around the Ripper's identity. However, while the atmosphere and setting enchant, some elements like Bruce Greenwood’s somewhat rigid vocal performance may not meet the high expectations set by his predecessors in the iconic role.

Abandoning much of Batman’s contemporary technological arsenal, "Gotham by Gaslight" places greater emphasis on his raw ingenuity and detective prowess. This back-to-basics approach invigorates the character by highlighting his intelligence and combat skills over gadgetry, akin to a Victorian Sherlock Holmes navigating urban rooftops. This pared-down, essence-focused portrayal underscores the timeless appeal of the Dark Knight and sets a promising precedent for future Elseworld adaptations that aim to explore beloved characters through fresh, inventive lenses.

"Batman: Gotham by Gaslight" stands out as a compelling addition to the Elseworlds series, offering a refreshing departure from established DC and WB narratives. Sam Liu's direction and James Krieg's screenplay effectively translate Brian Augustyn’s graphic novel to the screen, providing an engaging mystery that subverts expectations. With Bruce Greenwood’s gruff Batman and Jennifer Carpenter's dynamic vocal performance, the voice acting is top-notch, contributing to the film’s overall immersive quality. The adaptation successfully explores the nurture versus nature theme amidst its dark Victorian setting, crafting a story that both surprises and engages.

The technical presentation on Blu-ray is commendable. The 1.78:1 AVC encoded transfer delivers sharp and detailed visuals that bring Gotham’s fog-laden streets to life with excellent clarity. The English DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio track immerses viewers with nicely balanced soundscapes, enhancing the tension and atmosphere critical to a mystery narrative. Spanish Latin DD 5.1 and French, Spanish Castilian DD 2.0 tracks are also available, along with subtitles in English SDH, French, and Spanish, ensuring accessibility for a wider audience. The disc includes satisfactory extras that provide further insights into the film's production, making it a valuable addition for fans and collectors.

In conclusion, "Batman: Gotham by Gaslight" truly earns its place in the Elseworlds lineup. Though it features some minor flaws and an R-rating that might seem gratuitous at times, it maintains a surprising and enjoyable storyline enriched by strong performances and technical prowess. Both longtime DCU animated fans and newcomers alike can find value in this release, with the Blu-ray offering a solid watch through its satisfying audio-visual fidelity and immersive narrative experience.

Technical Specifications:

• Starring: Bruce Greenwood, Jennifer Carpenter, Chris Cox
• Directed by: Sam Liu
• Written by: James Krieg (Screenplay), Brian Augustyn (Graphic Novel)
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 AVC
• Audio: English: DTS-HD MA 5.1, Spanish (Latin) DD 5.1, French, Spanish (Castilian) DD 2.0
• Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish
• Studio: Warner Brothers
• Rated: R
• Runtime: 77 minutes
• Blu-Ray Release Date: February 6th, 2018