Son of Batman

• Directed by Ethan Spaulding
• April 22, 2014 (Digital Download) / May 6, 2014 (Physical)
• Adaptation of Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert’s 2006 Batman and Son storyline

Voice Cast

• Bruce Wayne/Batman-Jason O’Mara
• Damian Wayne/Robin-Stuart Allan
• Slade Wilson/Deathstroke-Thomas Gibson
• Talia al Ghul-Morena Baccarin
• Dick Grayson/Nightwing-Sean Maher
• Alfred Pennyworth-David McCallum
• Ra’s al Ghul-Giancarlo Esposito
• The Joker, Man-Bat commandos-Dee Bradley Baker
• Dr. Kirk Langstrom-Xander Berkeley
• Francine Langstrom, Call Girl #1-Diane Michelle
• Suit #2-Andrea Romano
• Waylon Jones/Killer Croc, Dusan al Ghul-Fred Tatasciore
• James Gordon, Ubu-Bruce Thomas
• Rebecca Langstrom, Call Girl #2-Kari Wahlgren

Batman learns he has a son that was raised by the League of Assassins.

As the 20^th film of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies, Son of Batman creates a lived-in world that feels like so much has gone on before this. It references past (though never seen) events to give you a sense of a larger world as Batman not only deals with an aggressive foe but sudden fatherhood.

I am struck by how in-stride Batman takes finding out he has a son. No level of shock or surprise. It is perhaps the most laid-back reaction to a paternity revelation I have ever encountered in entertainment. He has a child that he has never met until recently and it’s just kind of another thing that happens in his life. I don’t need it for a long emotional moment or some kind of breakdown but it feels inappropriate even for Batman.

Alfred serves as the comedy relief of the film. It is dry and pointed humor employed without the character becoming a joke himself. Possibly because the character’s use of wit is simply a passive aggressive response rather than an instance of the writers trying to undermine the situation. It is an excellent demonstration of how to write a humorous character that does not damage to the story.

One thing they don’t do very well is explain how Bruce Wayne got a son or another child in his care for the Bruce Wayne identity as offered to the public. Damian makes an entrance into Wayne headquarters and at no time is an excuse offered for where the kid came from or who it was. The Bruce persona is not one that puts the fear into people so a lack of even an inquisitive look leaves questions to this viewer.

Deathstroke a.k.a. Slade Wilson is the villain of Son of Batman. He’s the one who attacked Ra’s al Ghul base and takes over the League of Assassins for his own nefarious purposes. I’m not against the character but I just didn’t like Thomas Gibson as the voice of Deathstroke. He didn’t feel threatening or dangerous. It was too aristocratic for what amounts to a soldier of fortune with a serious axe to grind. Gibson is a fine actor but did not have the chops to pull off the character.

Damian is all anger who treats violence as a natural reaction to most anything. It creates humorously shocking dialogue as the character is nearly condescending to those he interacts with. Often he becomes an impulsive jerk and there is not much of an indication he learns anything along the way. Now that I take a moment I see little creation of a relationship between Damian and his father. Bruce is just chasing after him or scolding him.

Given a limited runtime, they keep the story moving. There’s some character development but mostly narrative development focused on action and the plot-at-hand rather than individual characters. You quickly realize that your understanding of the characters relies on unconnected material than it does what has been presented.

DC has certainly done better. The trailer really sold the movie making it look much more epic or unique than it ultimately proved. Damian was a bit overpowered for a juvenile. He made have been trained by the League of Assassins, but his skill set put adult Batman to shame. Deathstroke is a serious foe to Batman, but Damian gives the guy a run for his money. The decision for Damian to remain with Bruce feels a little bit in the vein of generating sequels, rather than as an outgrowth of the story itself. Almost an afterthought really.

Yet I still found enjoyment in it. It’s a solid action film from an animated perspective. In true superhero fashion it keeps those moments larger than life. This is a little bit more of a mystery as Batman follows the clues. Not a great whodunit, but he pieces together what’s going on based on information he can discern or things he already knows.

I was not wowed by Son of Batman but I wasn’t disappointed either. It’s exciting and entertaining enough though not top-tier.