Batman: Gotham Knight Blu-ray Review

The 1080p/VC-1 transfer of "Batman: Gotham Knight" offers a visually compelling albeit inconsistent viewing experience. The Blu-ray showcases deep, vivid primaries, particularly highlighted in segments like “Have I Got A Story For You” where reds are exceptionally vibrant, and “Crossfire,” with its vibrant blacks and scorching whites. "Field Test" boasts an array of neon-thick colors reminiscent of Joel Schumacher’s aesthetic, while "Working Through Pain" captivates with its elegant transition from crimson to pinkish-purple hues. However, the segment “In Darkness Dwells” starkly contrasts this visual richness with murky, noisy textures and red or green halos around objects, indicating a deliberate but perplexing stylistic choice. Edge enhancement and compression artifacts are minimal, maintaining a mostly clear image overall.

In terms of definition, the transfer does enhance detail clarity compared to the standard DVD version. Backgrounds, buildings, and characters exhibit improved sharpness, and colors appear deeper, providing an enriched visual experience. Texturing and clarity are notably impressive in well-lit scenes, such as the graffiti in the skate park sequence. Despite these strengths, some parts suffer from softness and dimness that slightly undermine the high-definition upgrade. Complex and rich animation is somewhat lacking across several segments, barring standout moments in “Field Test” and “Working Through Pain.”

Unfortunately, inconsistencies pervade the transfer, as black levels sometimes shift toward grayness or extreme darkness, affecting overall contrast. Banding issues emerge intermittently, disrupting the visual flow. Segments like “Have I Got a Story for You” show minimal vibrancy, and “Crossfire” wrestles with crushing blacks. These issues collectively present an average presentation that doesn't fully exploit the potential of high-definition animation. While it surpasses the DVD in many aspects, it doesn't reach the exemplary standards set by comparable 2D animations on Blu-ray like "Tekkon Kinkreet" and "Justice League: The New Frontier."

The audio presentation of "Batman: Gotham Knight" on Blu-ray comes with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, which, while competent, leaves room for improvement given the absence of a lossless audio track. Dialogue is consistently clear and crisply delivered, maintaining focus even amidst chaotic scenes like collapsing sewer systems and intense gunfire exchanges. Music from seasoned composers Christopher Drake, Robert Kral, and Kevin Manthei provides moments of vibrancy and dynamic range, with orchestral strings and trumpet flares effectively enveloping the listener from various directions. However, sound effects, while precise at times, often lack the depth and impact necessary to fully immerse the viewer in the action.

One notable shortcoming of this Dolby Digital 5.1 track is its less-than-stellar handling of ambient sounds and rear speaker utilization. The surround usage is minimal and lacks the immersive quality one might expect. Explosions and action sequences, such as jet-pack swooshes and bridge collapses, fail to deliver the full-bodied oomph that would enhance the cinematic experience. However, some heavier effects like concussive blasts and room-rattling sequences do manage to pulse through the soundstage with potency, although these instances are not consistent throughout.

Despite these limitations, the soundtrack manages to convey a haunting sense of space in certain scenes and ensures that dialogue and music maintain clarity and presence. While a Dolby TrueHD or another lossless format would have significantly elevated this audio presentation, the existing Dolby Digital 5.1 track adequately serves this collection of short films, albeit without reaching the high standards set by other releases in this genre.

The Blu-ray extras for "Batman: Gotham Knight" offer a robust, in-depth exploration perfect for dedicated fans of the Dark Knight. The audio commentary featuring DC's Gregory Noveck, Denny O'Neil, and Kevin Conroy provides a lively and insightful discussion into the character's evolution and the series' thematic undertones, although it tends to meander at times. The standout feature, "Batman and Me: A Devotion to Destiny," delves into Bob Kane’s life, giving a comprehensive, candid look at Batman's creator, complete with archival footage. "A Mirror for the Bat" offers an engaging yet standard-issue exploration of Gotham’s rogues. The "Wonder Woman Sneak Peek" previews the upcoming animated feature with interviews and behind-the-scenes looks but lacks completed animation. Additional value comes from four classic episodes of "Batman: The Animated Series," albeit presented in lower-standard definition.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insightful discussion with Gregory Noveck, Denny O'Neil, and Kevin Conroy.
• Batman and Me: A Devotion to Destiny: Comprehensive documentary on Batman's creator Bob Kane.
• A Mirror for the Bat: The Evil Denizens of Gotham City: Examination of Batman's iconic villains.
• Wonder Woman Sneak Peek: Preview of upcoming animated feature.
• Classic Animated Episodes: Four bonus episodes from "Batman: The Animated Series".

"Batman: Gotham Knight" offers a fascinating exploration of the Batman mythos through six short films that fuse Western storytelling with sophisticated anime artistry. While the visual diversity is captivating, this stylistic exercise occasionally falters on narrative depth. The stories vary in quality, with "In Darkness Dwells" standing out for its thrilling action but suffering from dark visuals and unanswered questions. "Have I Got a Story for You" introduces the series with an engaging, if lightweight, meditation on perception versus reality, establishing the allure and mystery surrounding Gotham's protector.

Despite these inconsistencies, the Blu-ray's technical presentation mostly impresses. Though minor color banding is noted, the picture quality is generally excellent, standing out with crisp and clear visuals. Audio is serviceable, with Kevin Conroy's reprised voice acting adding notable strength. Each film uniquely contributes to a cohesive yet variably engaging narrative that flows seamlessly from one short to the next. With stories like “Crossfire” offering deep insights into Batman's role in Gotham post-“Batman Begins,” and “Working Through Pain” providing a compelling origin tale, the collection succeeds best when viewed as a collective experience rather than isolated shorts.

Ultimately, "Batman: Gotham Knight" is a mixed bag, merging novel artistic styles with the time-honored iconic figure of Batman. For fans of both anime and the Dark Knight, this anthology provides enough value through its varied storytelling techniques and interconnected themes. Whether rendered as a living shadow or a high-tech vigilante, this portrayal of Gotham’s hero remains thoughtfully intriguing, though it's apparent that some shorts were better conceived and executed than others.

"Batman: Gotham Knight" provides a unique viewing experience by weaving together six distinctive short films into a single, cohesive narrative, which successfully retains the charm and familiarity of the Batman universe. The steady animation and strong voice acting consistently deliver engaging and captivating stories that will satisfy any Batman aficionado. However, the Blu-ray release does have its drawbacks. Video quality is inconsistent, with some segments suffering from problematic transfers, and the audio track, while decent, falls short of excellence expected from a high-definition release.

Despite these technical shortcomings, the collection is bolstered by its effective storytelling and visual flair. The steady 1080p video, albeit flawed in places, manages to maintain overall clarity, while the lossy soundtrack provides adequate auditory support for the animated action. Additionally, Warner's Blu-ray release offers a commendable range of extras that enhance the overall viewing experience. These supplemental features mirror those available on the standard DVD but lack any significant high-definition improvements that would justify a higher price point.

In conclusion, "Batman: Gotham Knight" might be an oldie on Blu-ray, but it's a goodie. Six unique short films and one cohesive narrative make this collection compelling for all Batman fans. Steady animation, strong voice acting, and captivating stories make this grouping a must-see for enthusiasts. If there's a problem, it's that the collection is too short, but better neat and tidy than overkill. Warner's Blu-ray release of "Batman: Gotham Knight" features steady 1080p video, a quality lossy soundtrack, and a rich assortment of extra content. Recommended.