I have long given Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment’s home video releases the benefit of the doubt when it comes to questionable narrative choices, their ability to handle mature subject matter in a responsible way, and their seeming reluctance to grow up. The studio took heat for their misogynistic treatment of Barbara Gordon inBatman: The Killing Joke, and more generally, their juvenile reliance on low-brow humor that butts up against over-sexualized characters and situations.Batman and Harley Quinnmay not be the worst offender in any specific category, but it does its damnedest to check every wrong box possible.
I honestly don’t know if DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation consciously chose to go against the grain by ignoring contemporary shifts in how society views women (and successes that paid attention to it, i.e.Wonder Woman), but their ignorance of trends is glaringly obvious. As a longtime fan of DC Comics, the movies they inspire, and an obsessive consumer of their animated fare, I’m exhausted and disappointed by seeing the same mistakes and/or willful offenses pop up over and over again. Is it that the studio doesn’t care as long as the dollars keep rolling in? Is it that no one on either the production side or the consumer side has made enough of a stink about it? Whatever the root cause, they’ll now have to earn back my attention after burning through decades of good will, the latest offender of which isBatman and Harley Quinn.
That’s not to say this film won’t find its fans. Folks who prefer Batman and Nightwing doling out one-liners and cringe-worthy responses instead of fighting crime and putting away bad guys will like this movie. (I feel so, so sorry for bothKevin Conroyand the returning Robin/Dick Grayson/NightwingLoren Lester, who do the best they can with what they’re given.) People who view Harley Quinn as nothing more than jerk-off material and/or an over-the-top Jewish stereotype willlovethis mess. (I don’t know if I can blameMelissa Rauchfor any of this, but it wasnota great introduction for her take on Harley.) And if it’s fart jokes, scantily clad cartoon women “Superbabes”, overly sexual jokes, and half-baked plots that you’re into, you should run, not walk, to buy this movie on Blu-ray, which is available now.
For the rest of us, the ones who grew up with Conroy and Lester as iconic voices ofBatman: The Animated Series, the ones who loved a solid detective story as much as a costumed caper against bigger-than-life villains, and the ones who expected more out ofBruce Timm, this is worse than a disappointment, it’s an insult. The animation style–which is fine, though clearly a cost-cutting version on the 90s series–is the only thing besides those familiar voices that harkens back to the glory days of the mature, respectful, and inspirational animated adventures.
This thing actually starts off fine: Villainous regular Poison Ivy (Paget Brewster) has teamed up with relative newcomer to the animated scene Floronic Man, a.k.a. Jason Woodrue (Kevin Michael Richardson) to steal some of Dr. Alec Holland’s research. What follows is a solid effort at a film noir-styled detective tale in which Batman and Nightwing attempt to piece clues together in order to track down the Green Team; that effort lasts about five minutes. The threads of this style–sexy and sinister silhouettes, back alley chase sequences, femme fatales, etc.–can be glimpsed throughout the movie, but they’re corrupted more and more as it progresses until the whole thing collapses on its matchstick foundation and becomes a farce.
It can be argued that this is actually a Harley Quinn story since, as soon as she’s introduced to the plot, she takes over, with Batman and Nightwing acting as her patsies, unwilling guardians/caretakers, and even as agents of sexual gratification. (Yeah Harley bangs Nightwing and makes alotof jokes about it.) Look, I get that the women of DC Comics (and most comics) are drawn to be sexy and provocative, normally because they’re creations of men who see them as such. Harley Quinn certainly has that trait going for her, but she’s grown to be much more complex and layered since her 90s introduction.Batman and Harley Quinndoes nothing to recognize that and actively goes against the progressive developments the character has enjoyed. This version of Harley may be more “empowered” but the majority of her language and behavior is sexual in nature. And the rest of it? Just gross-out humor, like farting out noxious hot wing gas to force Batman to pull the Batmobile over. Yeah.
One major problem ofBatman and Harley Quinnis the tone: It starts as a noir detective piece, turns into a slapstick singalong (Harley literally has a karaoke sequence in a dance club for henchmen…), and ends with an unsatisfying joke. Is there room in the DC Universe of Animated Original Movies for a noir mystery with a sexy femme fatale? Yes. A slapstick comedy caper? Sure; seeBatman: Return of the Caped Crusadersand the upcomingBatman vs Two-Face. A non-traditional narrative? Of course, with the right people. But trying to do all of this in one go is just nonsense.
The other major problem is that it just ends without a decent resolution; the creatives opt for a quick finish followed by an extended post-credits scene that has little to do with the story and only serves as a half-hearted joke to end viewers' misery. It’s a mess. It’s not only an offensive and insulting movie without any sort of substance, it can barely be considered a complete movie at all. I don’t know ifBatman and Harley Quinnwas a rush-job or a cash-grab, but it’s poison. Stay away, Bat-fans.
Rating: ★ Poor
Bonus Features:
There’s a sneak peek at an upcoming animated adaptation titledGotham by Gaslightthat certainly looks different and interesting, in a good way. It takes inspiration fromMike Mignola’s comic arc by the same name and exists in an “Elseworlds” continuity, giving it a very unique, dark appearance. If done right, this could be a gem. However, since the thematic material involves Jack the Ripper killing prostitutes, I question whether or not Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment have the ability to handle the story in a mature way.
Another featurette looked into the “Harley Effect”, exploring Quinn’s creation inBatman: The Animated Seriesand tracing her popularity to today. On board is a clinical psychologist who explains Harley’s provocative histrionic features. It’s a very weak attempt to mask the manic pixie dream girl aesthetic given to Harley at the hands of her male controllers in this particular film.
Another featurette catches up with Loren Lester, the voice of Robin/Dick Grayson/Nightwing. It’s nice to see him back in action, though I wish it were under better circumstances. (And what is up with having white pupils in a white-eyed mask, anyway?)
You can also watch bonus episodes ofBatman: The Animated Series"Harley and Ivy" and “Harley’s Holiday.” Do yourself a favor and just watch these episodes (or the entire series again) separately to spare yourselves from the torture that isBatman and Harley Quinn.
