Son of Batman

Plot synopsis:
At the headquarters of the League of Assassins, Ra's al Ghul grooms Damian Wayne (son of his daughter, Talia, and Batman) to succeed him as head of the league. The league is attacked by a group of assassins led by Slade Wilson, Ra's al Ghul's initial choice for successor before meeting Batman; Feeling betrayed, Slade decides to seize power. During the battle, Ra's is defeated and fatally burned, dying before he can reach the Lazarus Pit. Damian stabs Slade's right eye during the battle, forcing him to flee. Talia takes Damian to Gotham City to meet his father and ask for his protection.
In Gotham City, Batman confronts Killer Croc, who is stealing mutagenic chemicals and steroids to enhance himself. Batman gets ambushed by Croc before Talia electrocutes the latter from behind. She tells Batman about her father's death and leaves their son in his care, though Damian believes that he can take care of himself and does not need Batman. Slade, now calling himself Deathstroke, captures Dr. Kirk Langstrom, who conspired with both Croc and Ra's, promising the latter a formula for his soldiers. Slade threatens Langstrom's wife Francine and his daughter Rebecca to force him to recreate the Man-Bat formula for him. Damian bypasses Wayne Towers security to speak to Bruce, telling him that Deathstroke's contact, Ubu, is stationed in Gotham. Although Damian wants to avenge Ra's al Ghul by killing Deathstroke, Bruce objects to Damian's willingness to take lives. Talia is captured by Deathstroke when she and her assassins attack his compound.
Against Batman's orders, Damian leaves the Batcave and, after a chase and a long fight, defeats Ubu, whom he located by accessing the Bat-Computer. Before Damian can kill him, Nightwing arrives, mistakes him for a criminal and subdues him before bringing him back to the Batcave. Batman berates Damian for his recklessness, willingness to kill and exposing their operation. Batman then has Damian don the mantle of Robin to teach him discipline. Searching for a lead on Langstrom's location, Batman goes to Arkham to interrogate a rabid Killer Croc, who supplied the mutagens to Langstrom in exchange for his enhancements and is currently going through drastic, agonizing withdrawal symptoms that cause him to shed his scales and tail. Since others are too afraid of him to medicate him without being harmed, Batman promises Croc help in exchange for information. Batman follows Croc's lead about the formula's mutagen to Langstrom's apartment, where he finds a throwing star that he takes evidence of Deathstroke's involvement. Before he leaves, he goes throughout the building and finds a storage room filled with caged bats, with one larger cage being empty and broken open from inside. Batman then finds a rabid gorilla with bat like mutations, one of Langstrom's unstable subjects, and it attacks him until it dies from its mutations. A drone aircraft sent by Deathstroke then flies past and crashes on the building, destroying it, though Batman evades the explosion. Commissioner Gordon warns them about an abandoned stadium believed to house Deathstroke's men.
At the stadium, Batman and Damian question Langstrom but are attacked when Damian becomes violent. Before they successfully escape, they fight off a swarm of Man-Bats. In the cave, Langstrom reveals Deathstroke's plan to create superhuman, flight-capable assassins. While Nightwing works with Langstrom on an antidote, Batman and Damian rescue their family. Batman guesses that Talia has been abducted when he finds evidence of torture in an empty cell, which he keeps from Damian to not set him off. They find and rescue Langstrom's family, but Batman is unaware that Deathstroke challenged Damian to a fight in exchange for Talia's life through a video device he gave Langstrom's daughter in exchange for sparing them. Both Langstrom's daughter and Deathstroke's video tell him not to involve Batman in their fight.
Nightwing learns that Deathstroke is operating in an oil rig off the Scottish coast, and when Batman is distracted, Damian goes to the rig. He finds Deathstroke and Talia in an underwater base with a swarm of Man-Bats and another Lazarus Pit, whose fluid Deathstroke intends to sell. Damian pulls a gun on Deathstroke, who holds one against Talia's head until Damian drops his gun. Deathstroke fires at him, but Talia is hit instead after she jumps in the path of Deathstroke's gunfire. As Deathstroke corners Damian, Batman appears and the Man-Bats attack. Batman wards them off with sonar-emitting batarangs, while Deathstroke flees with Damian giving chase.
Batman heals Talia in Lazarus Pit, while Nightwing and Langstrom reach the oil rig and cure the Man-Bats. At the same time, Damian fights and defeats Deathstroke, but refuses to kill him because he is his father's son. The elevator from the rig to the underwater base is destroyed when the Man-Bats, overwhelmed by the sonar devices, overcrowd the glass elevator shaft, flooding the base. Batman, Talia and Damian escape, but Deathstroke gets left behind. Batman believes that Damian should stay with him and remain as Robin while Talia still wishes to recreate the League with Batman, who would rather disband the League, and Damian at her side. She decides to let him care for their son and leaves with the League of Assassins though she says she will return for him.
As the credits roll, a slideshow of the fight between Damian and Nightwing is played between credits.

Tags: violence, neo noir, murder

Review:
Unrealistic in various aspects, not how the typical Batman movies are suppose to be.Part of why Batman is so popular is because viewers enjoy watching a man using his intellect and natural resources to solve crimes and ultimately capture the villains.The almighty "trailer" makes any movie look hype and all the rave.
Slade or Death-stroke is an entity to be feared and not to be so easily defeated by Damion who has not even reached his prime yet.Also the character Batman was ineffectively orchestrated, he did not have the mysterious, lone-wolf, and independent personality which stays true to the Comics and previous movies or series and original concept character for that matter.Overall the movie was lacking and I think a fair appraisal is, 5-5.5 out of 10.
Literally.But the story hooked me so I tolerated the subpar production values and actually had a fairly good time.More than once I even wondered if somewhere out there was a producer who would find the cash to do this live action but given the audience expectations for a live action BATMAN, especially after Dark Knight, I guess that REALLY WOULD BE A FANTASY..
To me it just doesn't seem that much fitting for the dark knight and, quite frankly, I think he is kind of a boring villain so the idea of Batman and Talia having a son never was appealing to me.
Seriously, he is the one who gets abused the most on-screen, by a preteen no less.Poor villain aside, "Son of Batman" isn't actually all that bad.
The movie, for its run-time, tells just about the right amount of story for each character with the right amount of action.
Damian, while at first seemed could be annoying, comes off as a solid addition, nothing special and probably the Robin I like the least, but still good enough.
Damian, Talia, Nightwing and the others, while not perfect, were good.Overall a satisfying DC animated movie.
I truly believe this is worse than Batman and Robin, because at least that film is funny.The plot makes no sense, the villain's motivations are frankly ridiculously stupid and nonsensical, the fights are uninspired, Damian Wayne is at his worst in terms of insufferable characterisation and insipid, mean-spirited dialogue, the voice acting ranges from fairly good to the worst I've heard in professional animation.Deathstroke is changed from an incredible and intelligent fighter into a pathetic, idiotic bumbler who gets knocked out with one punch from Batman.
That's not even getting into the scene between Batman and Talia which seems to suggest the writers are rape apologists--yes, Bruce states he was drugged and raped by Talia, but that it was "not all bad" which is undoubtedly the most horribly awful thing I've heard in a DC movie.Bottom line, I only recommend this to people if you want a truly hilariously inept film to watch and laugh about with your friends, which is precisely what I did after trying to watch it on my own..
Even though I generally like the work from writer Grant Morrison, I have to admit I wasn't left very satisfied by the graphic novel Son of Batman, and that's why I started watching the eponymous animated film with low expectations.
The plot is simplified a bit in the movie, but, let's accept it: the point of the film is seeing Batman facing the difficult paternal role for the first time.
As for the voice work, Jason O'Mara and Stuart Allan make a perfect work as Batman and Damian, respectively, but the rest of the cast feels rigid and artificial.
And I found the animation of a better quality than the one from other DC Comics movies; the choreography of the action scenes is clear and fluid, and the design of the characters keeps a good equilibrium between realism and stylization.
So, Son of Batman ended up being a very pleasant surprise, taking into consideration the fact that I didn't like the original comic very much; it doesn't have the epic scale from Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths or Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, but in this case, I think it was a good decision to keep everything on a more real level, because that puts the emphasis on the chemistry between the characters and the transformation of roles which implies Damian's arrival.
Speaking of which, Son of Batman isn't part of "The New 52" continuity, like the previous film of the animated universe (Justice League: War) was.
Taking inspiration from Grant Morrison's Batman and Son comic story arc, SON OF BATMAN reveals the illegitimate love child of Bruce Wayne and former nemesis Talia, daughter of Ra's Al Ghul, leader of the league of assassins.
Animation short cuts are very obvious here.All in all, SON OF BATMAN works better as a set up for bigger stories.
Son of Batman is a great, action-packed animation many people will enjoy.
Because it's a story definitely worth to make a film adaptation, I mean...when I first knew about the existence of this movie, I tough to myself: "Wait!
I have to check this out!"I haven't read the graphic novel this movie is based on (Batman and Son), but something tells me that almost all the hate towards this film is because it's not truly faithful to it.
For example, a huge part of the movie is full of bloody battles, the cold attitude that Talia has even tough her father Ra's had just died (Batman fans will agree with me about the fact that Talia is truly faithful to her father and that if something happens to him, she wouldn't just throw it away).In spite of its fails, it is a highly underrated and worth to watch, because it portrays in a very decent way the paternal side of Batman that we have never seen before..
It's interesting that this installment of the DC animated films is called Son of Batman and it stars a ten year old Robin, yet it's the most adult of these movies I ever seen.Adapting the origin of Damian Wayne from the comics, Deathstoke (who was not evolved with this in the comics)unleashes his plot to take over the league of assassins, killing Ra Al Ghul in the process, and putting his daughter Talia on the run, forcing her to unite her son, Damian with his biological dad, Batman.The character deign was pretty good.
I really like the design of Killer Croc who makes an appearance in the movie as well.The story was pretty cool too.
I feel there was a misstep in Batman, however, but Robin and his relationship with Nightwing was close to the comics.The animation was mediocre.
The opening scene between Deathstroke and Ra's Al Ghul is like something out of a parody of '70s kung-fu movies, complete with over the top voices.
I watched it with someone who knows nothing of Batman outside of the movies and I had to explain quite a bit of stuff that the script didn't bother with.
The movie doesn't explain it, just tosses him in with the assumption the entire audience already knows his story and connection to Batman.
Damien has to be one of the greatest characters in Batman's recent history (surprisingly, created by one of the most God awful hacks the DC universe has seen) and his story shines like the summer sun in this gripping tale of a child coming to terms.
I feel the first thing I should mention in my user comments for this movie is that I am not a big fan of Batman - I haven't read the comics in years, and I only have a basic knowledge of the character of Batman and the other characters in the series.
Particularly the last two.Like those films, 'Son of Batman' is certainly not for kids.
People complain that Deathstroke is too pompous, but the good part is he is still true to the comics, compared to Slade from Teen Titans, who was nothing more than a censored, although an amazing, version of the character.
Damien Wayne was perfectly true to the comics in being the son of Batman and Talia and raised by the League of Assassins.
No menace or expression here, Gibson sounds like he wishes he was somewhere else and it shows in his flat line delivery and his voice doesn't fit the character, far too nice.
The action is never thrilling or exciting, didn't feel much urgency actually and a lot of it was ridiculous with the villains defeated too easily and by what the heck means.Generally the script tends to be bland and childish, devoid of any kind of complexity, and the story suffers mainly from the film being far too short and having too much going on and too many characters to fit in.
its a nice new look on the league of assassins and a new robin the action scenes were good but the overall story was just bad it seemed like they dragged it on for too long I did not like it that much below average not what I expect from anything batman so five out of ten its okay watchable..
I'm not a hardcore Batman fan or anything, meaning that I haven't read the comics and so I don't know everything about the universe and how well this movie adheres to its source material.
The entire thing is a misfire almost from the very beginning.The story centers around Damian Wayne, the son of Batman and his sometimes foe, sometimes lover Talia al Ghul.
When the League of Assassins is decimated by Deathstroke, Talia leaves Damian with Batman.
The two almost immediately butt heads due to Damian being raised as an assassin and Batman having his "no killing rule." Despite this, Batman attempts to train and bond with Damian, even as the newest Robin seeks out revenge.Since I like to give credit where credit is due: the action scenes are fairly well staged (though much more bloody than is necessary, which is something I'll come back to.) Jason O'Mara continues to do strong work as Batman.
Every word he spoke was flat and disconnected and just killed a visually intimidating character.Coming on the heels of the already flawed (though not this badly) "Justice League: War," this just kills my enthusiasm for the films based off of stories taken from the New 52 line of comics..
Marvel dominates the live action stuff but, until DC catches up, they have the animated film department mastereduntil they released "Son of Batman." I'm not one to complain about the changes made from adapting a book, graphic novel or comic (and this one had A LOT of changes), instead, the problem that hurt my enjoyment of this one had to due with the fact the story was just really weak and the dialogue was absolutely terrible.While the film follows the predictable lines of a man finding out he has a son and has to somehow connect with them despite the fact they have been alienated from each other for a significant amount of time, the movie fails to hit that requirement of the two finding common ground and they learn, laugh, love and grow together.
Damian is a bratty little snob of a child up until he gets the exact thing he wants and is the one thing Batman keeps trying to teach him not to cling to and then *BAM* they are all good and their common ground is found and are now the best of besties.
The DC Universe continues combining its New 52 Universe and its animated movie universe with "Son of Batman." It was a lot easier to adapt "Justice League: War" for the big or small screen given that it was already rooted in the rebooted world we've come to know in the past few years.
The real question everybody wanted to know the answer to was, "How will a book written before the launch of the New 52 fit into the new cosmos?" Whether you like the outcome or not, credit has to be given to DC for accomplishing the feat.When Ra's al Ghul is assassinated by Deathstroke and his army, his daughter Talia and her son Damian are left on the run for their lives.
Batman soon finds himself partnered with a new Robin when he is put in the middle of a battle between Talia's new brigade of Man-Bats and Deathstroke's squad.If you've read Grant Morrison's graphic novel that "Son of Batman" is based on, then you know right off the bat (pun intended) this is not as faithful an adaptation as you might have expected.
It's really about Damian Wayne, the hot-tempered son of Batman, who we are introduced to in the opening of the film.
Almost every aspect of Son of Batman is bad: the voice acting, the half-anime animation, and Damian himself has to be one of the most aggravating characters in the history of film.
That is by far the worst aspect of this pitiful excuse for an animated DC Universe movie: the titular Damian Wayne.
Although Damian is the most unlikeable character in the movie, Batman is almost as bad.
Throughout the movie it seems Bruce Wayne/Batman constantly gets showed up by his bratty twenty-five years younger son.
I'd like to think he was trying to instill confidence in Damian, or using some other sort of Batman strategy, but sadly, I believe that wasn't the case.The movie starts with the League of Assassins being betrayed by Slade Wilson a.k.a. Deathstroke.
I want to say that she would have been best left out of the movie, but regrettably, she is too important to be left out.Filled with wrath and vengeance, Damian brutally cuts his way through the traitors, just like his grandfather, until he reaches Slade...and stabs him in the eye.
Talia al Ghul decides it's time for Damian to meet his father, so they travel to Gotham, and she leaves him with Bruce Wayne, a.k.a. Batman.
Sure there are some weaknesses then and there, but overall it was a interesting and fun Batman movie.
The most intriguing part about this animated movie is the relationship between Batman and Damian who is this stuck up, arrogant kid fueled by vengeance.
Indeed, it is not good as the comic book but it still good as the other great Batman movie.
THE LAST FIGHTING BETWEEN DEATHSTROKE AND ROBIN IS THE BEST PART OF THE MOVIE.
I think it's a must watch batman movie..
Never the less the rest are good enough in order to make me not bother to much for those problems.To start the animation fits perfectly with the brutal fight scenes and the tone of the movie.
Now I personally don't like the anime style in DC animated movies but her is done well so I will give it a pass.Next the story is really good for we see Bruce dealing with the problems of parenthood and I was quit entertain by that as well as the fact he is one of the persons of the world who can understand what it means to have a tough childhood.
Truth be told Damian never knew anything else than training so Bat's quote is to the point.Lastly and that is my personal opinion the voice acting died a fantastic work bringing these iconic characters to life and their portrayal was done ,apart from Deathstroke, in a respective manner to the source material.All in all here we have a fine DC animated film and if you want go watch it.
Anyway that's neither here nor there,back onto the review.The film is based on a 2006 story arc written by Grant Morrison who has written for so many characters and arcs isn't surprising his work is being adapted into films.The film starts off with a huge training camp being destroyed that we know is owned by the Al Ghul family, a young boy and Mother escape to the boys Father, who turns out to be none other than Batman himself.
Batman takes his newly revealed son under his wing deciding to train and protect him from what has already happened.Bruce allows Damien to join him and Robin, in fighting crime, but keeping the criminals alive in typical Batman tradition, throughout this time a huge development happens which will soon have a incredible impact on the plot.The film has a pretty short run time, which isn't to bad due to the fact we do not really need that much characters time, however I would like to have had seen some more on screen relationship progression between Bruce and Damien.
A Talia Fans review of Son of Batman.
I have been on strike from anything DC related since the abysmal treatment of Talia Al Ghul and Damian Wayne in the Batman Inc run, Grant Morrison completely and utterly decimated the core character of Talia Al Ghul.
ON TO THE REVIEWSo anyway a friend of mine comes over and has Son of the Batman with him, personally I'm like "Get that thing out of my house" since, I've not bought or looked at anything since Damian and Talia were murdered.
Jason O'Mara did good as Bruce/Batman though I am more of the golden voice of Kevin Conroy.
Personally I would have rather seen Dusan as the main villain him trying to take the League of Assassins away from Ra's and Talia makes a lot more sense than Deathstroke.
Well it seems Batman got drugged one night and did the nasty with Talia al Ghul who had a son Damian.
Well, this isn't the best Batman movie I have nor the worst but I think this movie had a lot of week potential then good for example Nightwing is shown to be very weak in this movie and he was lucky to defeat Damian during the fight scene.
Their stronghold is attacked by Deathstroke, who pretty much eliminates any possibility of this being anything less than a PG-13 movie.Much like most men suddenly finding themselves as fathers unexpectedly, Batman tries to steer his son in the right direction, and through a number of combat scenes.