Batman vs Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2019)

Batman vs. TMNT (2019)

Dir. Jake Castorena

I was a huge fan of the Turtles as a teenager, but it didn't carry through to adulthood like my love of Batman did. I've thought of revisiting the first ever TMNT comicbook a few times in the past decade, but that hasn't happened yet. Maybe someday it will.

It might seem like an odd pairing, but a connection is made between the two franchises, so it'll be helpful to have a level of familiarity with both. A basic knowledge of the Turtles' origin will suffice, but you'll need significantly more awareness of Batman's rogues gallery to get the most from it.

The world itself is a respectful merger of the two. It's set in Gotham, so favours that style, particularity during rooftop scenes, but the street level action has a Turtley NY vibe.

It's it own thing with regards continuity, not part of any existing animated DC world. I don't know if that also applies to the Turtles. There are, however, significant changes in story from the comicbook miniseries (2015-16) upon which it's based - most of which are for the better, I feel.

Character designs have been simplified, too, but that's to be expected because recreating Freddie E. Williams II's amazing artwork and James Tynion IV's painterly colouring style would've pushed the budget and production requirements beyond what a direct to video movie typically gets.

The next most successful aspect of the format change, besides the storytelling, is the combat scenes, which feel much more impactful onscreen. There's a level of skill and fluidity to the movements that just wasn't possible on the page. The fight between Batman and The Shredder is a good example of what I mean, in how it highlights each combatant's individual style.

Robin, who wasn't even supposed to be a part of the book's original story, adds a beneficial slant. Its Damian Wayne, but he's not the prick version that he was in the DCAMU continuity.

Voice work is mostly very good, accentuating unique character traits and quirks. Troy Baker is both Batman and Joker, and he does both admirably, with a pleasing TAS-influenced timbre.

DC animation regular Kevin Riepl provides music. His John Carpener-esque opening was fun.

I liked the movie a lot. Teenage me would probably have loved it. If it had spawned a weekly Batman TV series with the same art style and cast, I'd definitely have watched it. The villain designs are so well-realised that they could've been carried over just as they are, too.

Ultimately, if you're intrigued by the crossover but have yet to experience it in any form, then the movie may actually be the better choice, for some of the reasons given.