Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

• Directed by Jake Castorena
• March 31, 2019 (WonderCon Anaheim) / May 14, 2019 (Digital)
• Based on the comic book miniseries Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by James Tynion IV and Freddie Williams II

Voice Cast

• Bruce Wayne/Batman, The Joker-Troy Baker
• Leonardo-Eric Bauza
• Raphael-Darren Criss
• Donatello-Baron Vaughn
• Michelangelo-Kyle Mooney
• Damian Wayne/Robin-Ben Giroux
• Barbara Gordon/Batgirl-Rachel Bloom
• Alfred Pennyworth-Brian George
• Commissioner James Gordon, Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow-Jim Meskimen
• The Shredder-Andrew Kishino
• Ra’s al Ghul-Cas Anvar
• Dr. Baxter Stockman, Harvey Dent/Two-Face Keith Ferguson
• Oswald Cobblepot/Penguin, League of Assassins Ninja-Tom Kenny
• Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn, Pamela Isley/Poison Ivy, Pizza Delivery Girl, Woman-Tara Strong
• Victor Fries/Mr. Freeze-John DiMaggio
• Bane-Carlos Alazraqui

Batman, Robin, and Batgirl join forces with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in order to save Gotham from destruction at the hands of both Ra’s al Ghul and Shredder.

I really dig crossovers. They can be fun to watch/read and work to varying degrees-especially when it’s two fictional worlds that cannot regularly for whatever reasons crossover. This one worked rather well and provided enough entertainment and excitement that it left you wanting a sequel strongly implied by an end credit scene. I have no idea how it would work but I definitely want it. But on to the movie that actually exists…

Batman has had a few unusual crossovers in his comic book history with the one involving Predator being my personal favorite. While I didn’t purchase it when it was a series on newsstands, I was certainly intrigued by the idea and if this film is any indication of what was in those pages, I do regret not buying it.

Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a crossover that is weird and a little loony mostly because both universes fit very well together. This is one of those worlds colliding things that pays off fantastically for the fans of both. I think the title is a bit misleading as what occurs is just a misunderstanding that quickly gets cleared up, but that title structure to get viewers/readers is pretty common.

Not only do Batman and the Turtles join forces but Ra’s al Ghul and The Shredder join together to do their evil deeds. And The Joker joins in though he felt almost obligatory rather than an outgrowth of the unfolding story. I understand they needed his Joker Venom but a scene before he showed up strongly implied destructive chaos would ensue without it. Plus, wouldn’t The Scarecrow’s hallucinatory concoctions work just as well and not be as closely guarded of a secret on how to make? Just sayin’…

Castorena and company do a great job of balancing the action and the humor. It’s not overwhelming with jokes, but there is definitely much more funny than your average animated Batman film. I really appreciated the elements with Baxter Stockman. He seemed to be off having his own commentary that those around him were oblivious to.

I wasn’t too impressed with the character designs. It is a style distinct from any other animated DC offering. I don’t believe I’ve seen anything like it before or since. It just does not have the overall quality I expect from DC animation.

I do also draw issue with the mutations that occurred. I know this might be nitpicking but aside from Harley Quinn they all felt more than a bit random. I said before my knowledge of the Turtles comics is limited so I’m not sure if that’s how the ooze works. Or for some reason they didn’t put any thought put into it. What was their connection to what they mutated into? We even had a dinosaur in here!

Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is an unexpected crossover that balances seriousness with humor and overall produces something very entertaining time. Ultimately I recommend this one. Not only to Batman fans but Turtles fans as well.