Review: Beware the Batman “Fall”

I’m pretty sure that any episode of Beware the Batman that involves Ra’s al Ghul is just a badass episode. Check in after the jump to see if I am right.

Cartoon Network definitely didn’t give enough credit to Beware the Batman. The creators took a great risk with bypassing Joker, Two-Face, and the normal rogues gallery in hopes of making the lesser known names like Anarky and Magpie seem more credible. Before I start with the review, I was really harsh when I saw footage of Beware the Batman. I thought the animation was gnarly, and the trailers Cartoon Network premiered for it were bad. I have no problems stating I was wrong, though.

While the creators of Beware the Batman skipped most of the normal Batman baddies, they kept the League of Assassins, and worked Katana and Alfred into the backstory. Alfred’s involvement was rather peculiar, though, because him and his partner were captured by Ra’s al Ghul, and his partner had a choice between Alfred or the partner’s family. This wall conveyed in a flashback, and it was done pretty well. Back in the present, Alfred tells Batman that this is the anniversary of Katana’s father dying.

Whoever did the casting for Katana and Alfred were spot on in their decisions. They actually got an actual British actor in JB Blanc who nailed this new ass kicking Alfred. Blanc has the perfect mix of sarcasm of the old Alfreds, and a more commanding demeanor to bring Alfred forward. As for Katana, Sumalee Montano nailed the Japanese accent. I actually had to research to see if she was native to Japan. I’ve stated this in numerous episodes, but Beware the Batman deserves more credit than the dump Cartoon Network gave it.

The story has progressed at a good pace, by putting the Souldrinker Sword story on the back burner, and moving forward with another lingering story, the Ion Cortex and Jason Burr. Of course, that pulls the League of Assassins back to the forefront, because Burr sold it to the League. Katana thinks that Burr isn’t in control, but Wayne is certain he is. The story is enhanced a lot by the short flashbacks that Alfred has, first with Katana and her mother, and then with the Waynes.

I think the best, and maybe most symbolic flashback to Beware the Batman is when Alfred is taking Bruce back to the car after a performance of Macbeth, and they are attacked by thugs. Why I say this is because not only does it show how Alfred and Bruce really do care for each other, but it shows Bruce is ready to throw down at such a young age. To paraphrase, Bruce says that he may not have his parents anymore, but he has Alfred.

This story is a little sketchy in some spots. “Fall” has the Ion Cortex going to the mountain. No one really elaborates on why it would be so bad for it to start up at this specific power plant, because it seems half a country away from Gotham. If anything, I think this was just a plot device to get Batman and Ra’s together in one room. I’m all for one time plot devices, but to use Cypher / Burr to bring the Cortex to the plant to just have Burr get killed by the Souldrinker sword is a little lazy. This is all but confirmed when Batman and Ra’s fight in one of the best looking fight scenes for a CG show that I have seen, possibly ever.

I was impressed with the overall performance of the episode. Yes, the story fell short at times. But the Ion Cortex, nor Burr, were the focal points of “Fall.” Ra’s and Batman seemed like they had to fight, and using the Ion Cortex was means to an end. Luckily, the ending left a cliffhanger that can better wrap up next week.