Batman: Soul of the Dragon

From the cheeky Bond-esque pre-credits sequence, through the Enter the Dragon pastiche theme music, to one character's very impressive Afro, this animated movie is a mishmash of (and love letter to) 1970s action/exploitation. Richard Dragon (voiced by Mark Dacascos) is now Asian - and a dead-ringer for Bruce Lee, Ben Turner/Bronze Tiger (Michael Jai White) looks like a cross between Jim Kelly and Shaft, whilst James Hong's O-Sensei looks and sounds like he should be offering enigmatic advice to David Carradine. It's also nice to see Sir Edmund Dorrance/King Snake (Patrick Seitz) making his first (as far as I know) animated appearance. For the rest of the featured cast we have Kelly Hu as Lady Shiva, Jamie Chung as Jade Nguyen (aka Cheshire), Grey DeLisle as Lady Eve, and Josh Keaton as Jeffrey Burr/Kobra, all of whom do a fine job. David Giuntoli however doesn't quite nail Bruce Wayne/Batman, sadly, compounded by the fact that whilst there's a good reason for Bruce Wayne being in this story, there's no reason whatsoever for Batman to be there (with every completely shoehorned Batsuit-up being eye-rollingly pointless). But the fight choreography is (unsurprisingly) very good, as is the score throughout.

This is a standalone movie, although the ending sets up for a sequel/resolution (to the extent that I'm surprised this wasn't marketed as a 'part one'). Interesting for a one-time watch, but not one I'd buy. 6/10.

Watching this, ask yourself...if it was a different character than Bruce Wayne/Batman, would you even notice? I don't think so. It's like they just decided to make one of the protagonists Batman as an afterthought. The animation is up to par, the voice acting is good, the choreography of the fights scenes is excellent. The cast is, quite frankly, awesome! Especially Michael Jai White. He channels Black Dynamite, all over again. James Hong is, as always, a treasure. Mark Dacascos proves he is wonderful as a voice artist, and still sounds youthful. Kelly Hu ads a 70's self-sufficient women's lib vibe that is perhaps the most bad ass character in the ensemble. The only misstep is David Giuntoli (Grimm) as Batman/Bruce Wayne. Oh, he's good, but not a good fit for Batman. Or maybe it's that the Batman character is not a good fit for this story? Either way, something feels off about it. Don't get me wrong, it's a good animated movie, and a fun diversion in these trying times. But is it really a Batman movie? I don't really think so.

As a Batman movie this is a two star experience at best. If you strip off the costume it isn't half bad. They shouldn't misuse the Bat brand this way - especially when the movie could stand by its own right.

Whatever reviews you read I hope you'll give this movie a try. Sure, it may not be a perfect movie, and it may be a mostly Bruce Wayne movie, or even a Bruce Wayne and Friends movie, but to say this is a bad movie would be a lie. So many different nods to different genres and history brought together with good animation that is reminiscent of 70s plus add 70s kung fu music to the mix and you have a really unique story with a unique ending that promises some amazing things.

It really embraces the style and uses the animation narrative used in the DC animated movies and makes a unique film. But if someone is looking to get a definitive style without compromise they would be disappointed. Anyone who expects a Batman movie will also be disappointed. I love that DC greenlit something like this because this is not even in the same ground as their what-if projects. Funky is the word.