Reviews WesternAnimation / Beware The Batman

Great start!

For a show thats gotten bashed everywhere I've gone, it started off phenomenally. The first few minutes demonstrate how competent Batman is at his job, as well as showing his inexperience by not being as Crazy Prepared as he is portrayed sometimes, as well as getting injured. This is followed up in the next scene where Alfred comments how sloppy he is, and is shown again when he almost gets knocked out later in the episode. However he still puts up a fight and is able to hold his own against multiple opponents.

Another plus is the designs. I know some were skeptical of the CG, but here it looks amazing where it manages to avoid making the faces look plastic and expressionless. The Batcave looks nice too, with the computer having a variety of button and knobs with a big screen that reminds me of the animated series. My favorite design is the Batmobile, which looks sleek and nice, especially in the opening. As for the plot, I think it has a great set up. Alfred is getting old, yet still wants to protect Bruce, so he brings in Katana as his replacement. I think this was a nice way of adding in Katana without forcing it. Gordon is still Lieutenant and doesn't seem to be working with Batman, which means there is room for that relationship to develop as both of them become more experienced.

However I have a few nit picks with the pilot. The first is that Alfred doesn't seem to look very old, lacking wrinkles or any gray hair (or any hair at all for that matter). I know he's supposed to be more active in this show, but it still seems weird. Next is that Batman communicates with Alfred over video chat where he's listed as BRUCE WAYNE. This almost bites him in the ass when Alfred is knocked out from behind mid-convo. There's a difference between inexperience and foolishness. My final problem (and this is really nit picky and a personal complaint) is that the Bat insignia on the Batsuit is dark and there is nothing to highlight it. It seems to blend in with the suit sometimes, especially since most of the fight scenes take place at night. But once again really nit picky. Overall this episode is great and I have high hopes for the show.