“Batman and Superman: Battle of The Super Sons” is the perfect gateway into the DC Universe and is one of the best entries in the long-running line-up of direct-to-DVD projects so far. The film also boasts a breathtaking new visual design as being the first ever all-CGI movie truly lends to the stylistic vision director Matt Peters and writer Jeremy Adams were going for. The pre-teen powered plot brings together the first on-screen pairing of the sons of DC’s biggest superheroes as the adventures of Jonathan Kent (Jack Dylan Grazer) and Damian Wayne (Jack Griffo) is off to a promising start that features action-packed sequences, exuberance, and plenty of fun nods and cameos from DC Comics and Superman: The Movie.
“Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons” honours and uses Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason’s comic run as its source and overall foundation so that this animated movie can portray the authentic versions of the characters. It gives us a cynical Damien Wayne, aligned with an innocent, naive, Jonathan Kent, both are awkward youths finding friendship but their different personalities are complimentary, especially in battle.
11-year-old Jonathan Kent discovers he has superpowers, thus the half-Kryptonian gets thrusted into the complicated world of Super Heroes and Super-Villains — who are now under attack by a malevolent alien force known as Starro. It’s a race against time as Jonathan must join forces with assassin-turned-Boy-Wonder Damian Wayne to rescue their fathers and save the planet by becoming the Super Sons they were destined to be.
WB Home Entertainment
Throughout the 83 years of comics, Batman and Superman have barely aged a day, however, both characters have had major storylines that have had the duo become devoted fathers to aspiring superheroes. The film also establishes the relationships the Super Sons have with their fathers but we also get to see Bruce and Clark raise their children which showcases a father’s strength and empathy, ultimately this movie is about the celebration of fathers and the bonds we share with them.
WB Home Entertainment
The animation is truly next level as it utilises CGI technology with 2D elements to create a stylistic and aesthetic feel, one that utilises each camera movement and each fight sequence as when the Super Sons take on Starro and their fathers, every punch and blow can be felt.
For a movie with a runtime of 79 minutes, Warner Bros. Animation continues to raise the bar in terms of animation, voice acting, and most importantly storytelling. “Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons” acts both as an origin story for Jonathan Kent and showcases the first teaming between Superboy and Robin. We focus on Jonathan discovering his powers and coming to terms with the truth about his father and we get a glimpse into Damien Wayne’s troubled past and dysfunctional relationship with his father.
WB Home Entertainment
As always with any WB Animated project, they assemble a stellar voice cast. Grazer and Griffo bring so much life to their characters. Grazer’s vocal performance portrays warmth and humour and Griffo excels at portraying Damien as overconfident, darker, and showcases a sense of superiority. The rest of the incredible cast gives strong emotion and performances. Troy Baker Delivers a grand Batman performance and Travis Willingham’s vocal performance as Superman conveys warmth, Laura Bailey’s Lois Lane is another standout.
Final Thoughts
Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons” has all of the staples of a strong animated feature and its Super too. Jeremy Adams’ screenplay provides the viewers with plenty of action, storytelling. and showcases the compelling dynamics these two young boys have and with their fathers. The film is truly an introduction into an incredible universe full of realatble characters and it also has tons of heart, The soundtrack is incredible with many memorable themes, especially when the score changes as we venture from Smallville to Gotham City. “Battle of The Super Sons is easily one of the best DC Animated movies to date, and I hope we get to see more of Damian, Jonathan, and of course Bat-Cow!!
“Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons”, Is now available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and Digital HD via Warner Bros.
If you are a fan of time travel, crime, and mind-bending suspense then Netflix’s Bodies is perfect to binge-watch this weekend. Directed by Haolu Wang and Marco Kreuzpaintner, Bodies is based on DC’s graphic novel by Si Spencer – who has been tributed in the first episode. The story follows four detectives in four different timelines and they discover a naked man’s body with one eye gouged out, surprisingly it’s the body of the same person in different timelines!
Shira Haas and Stephen Graham in Netflix’s ‘Bodies’
The 8-episode series parallelly shows four detectives – DS Hasan (Amaka Okafor) in 2023, DS Whiteman (Jacob Fortune-Lloyd) in 1941, DI Hillinghead (Kyle Soller) in 1890, and DC Maplewood (Shira Haas) in 2053 twisted in the same case discovering facts that are beyond their understanding. DS Hasan from the year 2023 discovers that the case she has been working on has happened before, not once but twice decades ago. Much to her suspicion, the evidence aligns with her own case which leads her confused more than ever.
Stephen Graham is not limited to one timeline, his intense performance deepens the storyline, leaving viewers jumpy. Amaka Okafor, Shira Haas, Kyle Soller, and Jacob Fortune-Lloyd’s distinctive acting and effective dialogue delivery are appreciated but Fortune-Lloyd deserves a standing ovation for his shining performance. Graham and Soller’s costumes and makeup are on point in the show.
Jacob Fortune-Lloyd as DS Whiteman in Bodies
With each episode comes mind-blowing twists that keep you on edge all the time. Each detective’s personal story and connection to people close to them adds more depth to their character and the choices they make. Even till the end of the last episode, the series holds your attention profoundly. Different timelines connected to one another may cause confusion at first but it only adds more fun to the story that leaves us in shock.
Now, if it reminds you of Netflix’s other popular German series Dark, directed by Baran bo Odar, then we can’t blame you. Bodies and Dark are not related to each other but they draw strong parallels to one another and it’s mainly due to different timelines, time travel, and hard-to-understand relations between the two characters. Although characters in Bodies are not connected to each other deep and twisted like in Dark but you need to keep a close eye to understand their connection. Dark, starring German actors Louis Hofmann and Lisa Vicari, is Netflix’s one of the most popular supernatural twists series and it is safe to assume that Bodies is no less than the 3-season German series.
Time Portal in ‘Dark’ vs ‘Bodies’
Stephen Graham’s Bodies is a mind-bending, thriller series full of brilliant performances. Its captivating narrative and depth keep the viewers engaged and entertained.
Arthur must enlist the help of his half-brother Orm in order to protect Atlantis against Black Manta, who has unleashed a devastating weapon in his obsessive quest to avenge his father’s death.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom [credit: Warner Bros. / DC]
Genre:
Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Release Date:
December 20, 2023
Director:
James Wan
Cast:
Jason Momoa, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Plot Summary:
Arthur must enlist the help of his half-brother Orm in order to protect Atlantis against Black Manta, who has unleashed a devastating weapon in his obsessive quest to avenge his father’s death.
I know that it’s been a little while since “The Flash” came out in theaters, but I got to say that after seeing the movie again on Max, I think that it’s clear to say that Michael Keatonis the best actor that has played the Caped Crusader.
Keaton played the hero in the Tim Burton-directed superhero flick way back in 1989. Many fans were skeptical of the controversial casting but were happy to have him in the film after it was released and welcomed him back for the sequel in 1992.
Here is why Keaton reigns supreme as the comic-book hero.
HE LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR “DARK” BATMAN
Batman 1989 [credit: Warner Bros.]
Before Michael Keaton, the only thing that fans had for Batman was Adam West on the 1960s tv series and while the series had its moments, they seemed more campy than actually dark. West had a more comical take on the character which might have been fine for the 1960s but it doesn’t really honor the source material.
Keaton brought the character into darker territory and allowed Batmen after him to run, but only after he had to walk in the batsuit and it was a breath of fresh air to see it.
HIS ORIGIN STORY IS MORE TRAGIC
Batman 1989 [credit: Warner Bros.]
In the original comics, Bruce Wayne’s parents are killed by the criminal Joe Chill. And the tragic event is what made him the caped crusader. That is a great origin story, however, the 1989 film changes a few things.
In the Tim Burton movie, Jack Napier a.k.a., the Joker kills Wayne’s parents. Albeit, this is before Napier becomes the Joker but it makes for a great connection as to why Batman has such a true and deep disdain for the Joker, thus making their hero-villain dynamic more palpable to watch.
HE TOOK ON A KRYPTONIAN WITHOUT KRYPTONITE
The Flash 2023 [credit: Warner Bros.]
If you haven’t seen The Flash, spoiler alert because Keaton’s Batman takes down the kryptonian Nam-ek in the coolest and briefest showdown in the DCEU, where Batman grapples the Kryptonian by the neck attaching bombs to him and finally knocking the alien to the ground with a final explosion.
Keaton can rest easy knowing that he was the only Batman to knock down a Kryptonian without Kryptonite. Not even Affleck could attest to that.