‘Batman: Caped Crusader’ Review: Amazon’s Dark Knight Series Entertains Though Rarely Soars

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As a longtime gamer and comic book fan, I’ve seen my fair share of Batman adaptations over the years. Each one brings something new to the table, but it takes a lot to stand out from the crowd. With “Batman: Caped Crusader,” creator Bruce Timm has delivered an animated series that feels fresh and distinctly different from what’s come before.

As a devoted fan, I’ve witnessed the endless variations of Batman throughout the years. Some Batmen work alone, while others have Robin by their side. There are seasoned Batmen and newcomers to the role. We’ve seen campy Batmen that bring a smile, and gritty Batmen that leave us in awe. And there are those that straddle the line between wholesome and terrifying, showcasing every possible shade in between.

The first task of any new version, then, is distinguishing itself from the others. Batman: Caped Crusader achieves that easily: It’s a noirish animated take set in the 1940s, not long after the character’s real-world debut in the comics. The second task is persuading us that this new iteration has what it takes to stand on its own, and in that sense its success is more mixed. With a sleek, simple style and a consistently moody vibe, the Prime Video series feels almost as steady Batman’s broad shoulders. But it rarely soars to the level of spectacular.

In 2024, it’s assumed that everyone is familiar with Batman. So, Bruce Timm, the creator of “Batman: The Animated Series,” doesn’t spend much time introducing him. Instead, he plunges Batman right into the storyline, and briefly alludes to his sad past as an orphan.

As a seasoned storyteller with a deep love for superhero narratives, I find this description of Batman, voiced by Hamish Linklater, to be both intriguing and thought-provoking.

After that, the “Caped Crusader” series consists of ten episodes. Some follow a continuous crime storyline, while others introduce new villains each week. The crime drama episodes maintain some realism, considering superhero norms. In Gotham City, mob boss Rupert Thorne (portrayed by Cedric Yarbrough) strengthens his control using ruthless henchmen, deceitful law enforcement officers, and corrupt government officials, including the unscrupulous district attorney Harvey Dent (acted by Diedrich Bader).

Batman skillfully avoids capture as he builds up his own team, led by brave police commissioner Jim Gordon (Eric Morgan Stuart). Their confrontations involve classic elements such as high-speed car chases, intense gunfights, and physical brawls. Thankfully, the stories are free of excessive backstory or intricate gadgetry.

In the thrilling episodic stories, the series truly comes alive. Notable stars grace our screens with their presence, such as Catwoman, brilliantly portrayed by Christina Ricci as a carefree jewel thief who struts through Gotham in elegant gowns and extravagant hats. The Art Deco-inspired city also provides a platform for lesser-known characters like Onomatopoeia (Reid Scott), an assassin with a unique quirk – he verbally expresses every action using comic book phrases such as “bam!” and “pow!”.

Batman encounters unexpected adventures outside of his usual crime-fighting realm, such as investigating a bizarre case of a missing actress in the glamorous world of show business or dealing with supernatural forces in the form of a highwayman from the Revolutionary War era haunting Gotham’s impoverished areas. Batman, portrayed by Linklater, remains unfazed by these unconventional cases with the nonchalant attitude of someone who has been exposed to numerous horrors and is no longer easily startled. (Baffled, Bruce ponders, “What could ghosts possibly need money for?”)

Possibly the smartest thing Caped Crusader does is insulating itself from other Bat-media. The setting does much of the heavy lifting in this regard. Although the series is executive produced by Matt Reeves (along with Timm, J.J. Abrams, Ed Brubaker and James Tucker), there’s no mistaking its post-Depression Gotham for an offshoot of his The Batman, or any other recent DC adaptation.

The mythology undergoes both minor and major alterations. An intriguing yet secondary change is the depiction of Harley Quinn as an Asian American woman, voiced by Jamie Chung. However, the significant transformation comes from a fresh origin story that eliminates the Joker, emphasizes her psychological background, and offers a new perspective on this seemingly familiar character.

In other places, however, the “Caped Crusader” finds it challenging to exude its own seriousness. Its protagonist becomes intriguing when he doesn’t appear heroic: when he resents the idea of therapy; when he unwittingly pushes someone close to the edge; and when he is reminded to consider the unique people he interacts with, rather than just his notions of safeguarding “the city.” (It is Alfred Pennyworth, portrayed by Jason Watkins, who most frequently reminds Batman of this importance.)

Although these instances are brief bursts of intensity amidst a prolonged rainfall of subdued feelings, the production generally maintains Batman’s stoic demeanor. It fails to evoke a sense of closeness due to its persistent gloominess, yet it falls short of fully exploring the character’s capacity for peculiarity and unsightliness.

The Caped Crusader’s story becomes richer as its secondary characters evolve into a more authentic ensemble. For instance, Detective Renee Montoya (Michelle C. Bonilla), previously seen as an valuable resource for Batman due to her integrity, receives a romantic side plot that adds depth to her character beyond her relentless investigative work. Meanwhile, public defender Barbara (Krystal Joy Brown) challenges Batman’s theatrics with a refreshing dry sense of humor while maintaining her role as the show’s guiding moral compass. By the finale, they form an informal team, leaving audiences eager for more adventures involving this intriguing group.

Although the importance of the situation seems understated, this is mainly due to the fact that the virtuous characters appear one-dimensional and lack depth, quirks, weaknesses, and personal motivations. A query that comes to mind is a snarl from one of Batman’s lesser known personas towards an seemingly invincible adversary: “Does it hurt you?” The Caped Crusader might be restricted in portraying gore due to its TV-14 rating. However, it could benefit from revealing some of its own scars.

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2024-07-29 19:57