how do I feel? 🦇 Batman Caped Crusader Episode 1 Review

[@VampX13]

How are you feeling about Batman Caped Crusader? 🦇

[@paultapner2769]

I liked the first episode. But I think it gets even better as it goes along. I've got four to go at the time of writing. I do also think the third one would have made a better opener in hindsight, as it got into some familiar areas you might have expected from an opener. But did feel fresh at the same time. To me it all feels as close to the animated series as it could be. With sharper picture quality. I'm going through the former on netflix at the moment and it does feel like it could do with a remaster. What happened to the son in the first part, and the incident with the car and the goons was a bit surprising, because characters in the animated series never ended up like that. So I wouldn't let the under twelves watch this. I did quite like gender swapped Penguin. The song and dance gave us a Penguin who owned being ugly. Rather than being embittered, so that was different. Felt like they could have used Ma Barker from the tv show, given she also had sons. I suppose they needed a big gun villain for the opener though. I wonder what the rights to Ma Barker would be like given that she was only ever on tv. Also with episode three it was rather nice to have Catwoman portrayed like that. A bit different from how she's been in comics for a long time. As someone who knows their dc continuity, I have been excited by appearances of: a reporter. A police detective. And a shop owner. Plus a robber. Can't say more without spoilers. But all four were not people I would have expected to see, so that was a thrill for a fanboy. All in all it is managing to find it's own way. I think it's a worthy effort, and I look forward to seeing where it goes.

[@Dru2037]

The Penguin taking out her son was hardcore but the series does get better.

[@Jamall_Toys]

One thing you said that fits perfectly is that we need "more time" with the characters. Harvey Dent was the only "villain" I had any emotion toward. And that's because we had three episodes of him becoming Two-Face. Each bad guy probably needed two episodes each two get a real feel for them. But after finishing all 10 episodes I felt.....empty, no emotion towards it. I didn't hate it, I like it. But this felt like a adult cartoon that should of had 20 eps and it was on every Sunday night after My Adventures with Superman on Cartoon Network. And hope you get better.😊

[@transformerstuff7029]

Watched it all, enjoyed some things. But most of it felt slightly off........I'd watch a second season hoping it would be better. But wasn't very happy with how they portrayed the villains.

[@garhent]

Gender Swapping and Race Swapping has been done for two decades now and is a commonly used trope. It offers nothing enhancing to the story, it allows for Hollywood to put out the minimal and I mean minimal amount of effort by reusing old scripts and IP.

[@grahamcann1761]

I have a very definite sense of who and what The Penguin is, and this is not it. My "first" Penguin was Burgess Meredith in the Batman TV show as it was first being run. (Yeah, I'm kinda old.) And though I Love that version; it's not my "main" Penguin. That comes from my reading of comics in the 60s and 70s. Then there are all the different versions, takes, on the character brought to us by Tim Burton and Danny DeVito, Bruce Timm and Paul Williams, and Matt Reeves and Colin Farrell. All excellent I think, but not quite "my Penguin." And now Bruce Timm and Minnie Driver... fingers crossed. Thank you so very much for the videos.

[@gloriouslumi]

I like that about DC characters in general. That no matter who is playing them, or what the circumstances are, they are all equally valid. I really wished they had leaned into that side of it sooner (they appear to be doing that now with the "Elseworlds" label). Their characters are strong enough to be constantly reinventing themselves, instead of trying to pull off their own, homogeneous MCU.

[@Polycomical]

Bonus points for the word "canoodling"

[@ethankillion786]

Pretty disappointed by how un-theatrical Penguin's voice acting was. I really expected a more proper husky, opera singer type voice. But the voice, to me, doesn't match the design at all. This Penguin kinda sucks because she's completely missing the showmanship and class that makes Penguin so fun. Batman himself is good but deserved a much better reveal, but Bruce just lacks the charisma he should have. Really the whole fundraiser on the boat felt like a big nothingburger. This episode really didn't feel like a good way to start the show. Hopefully it gets better, but I came out of it feeling like it was "okay", not great not terrible. I hate to say it, but I'm getting the the feeling that this show will turn out to be nostalgia-bait for people like me who love the Animated Series from the 90s, but not remotely close to the same level of quality characterization and stylization.

[@jswatch9270]

I enjoy this version of the penguin in this series and Minnie Driver did a great job voicing the character. I wonder if we'll see her in season 2 of the series.

[@Mr.Stopmotion89]

I was disappointed ☹️

[@IAmImprintJones]

I haven't watched the series yet but I heard good things. So I'm definitely going to pull the X-Men 97 method and wait to watch the whole series and save your videos for later like X-Men 97 🙏🏾🖤. It's just good seeing the BTAS team back even with a new team of actors. I'm happy I'm reliving my childhood again in 2024 with all these amazing show runners and voice actors still around to honor the legacy that 90s superhero animation set.

[@budgiecat9039]

Straight up doodoo How the hell does Jar Jar Abrams still get work. And why do people think Bruce Timm was solely responsible for Batman TAS. He was the artist not the writer. That was Paul Dini and others

[@claudiogrossi5017]

This Bruce is still trying to concile his identities, so it appears more intense with criminals, but also with his allies (one example is how he names Alfred). Barbara will show some of her traits in the ongoing episodes (and no, there wont't be weird romances, like in TAS 😂)

[@jessiegreen619]

this penguin is more like Ma Paker type but still own iceburg loungles

[@alvin12822]

I think it was a mistake to advertise the show as a "prequel" to BTAS and TNBA sans Paul Dini and the gang.. but it's ok, as an Elseworld story..

[@pathevermore3683]

i think i was mistake to advertise this as a prequel, and i am glad they didn't.

[@jswatch9270]

Im looking forward to see you review the next episode of the series.

[@2301WAYNE]

It's not the best but as long as there's Batman content I am in, the only thing I didn't like it in is less screentime of Batman itself and Batman interaction with the Villains is less, the usual villain praising Batman and Batman's one liners are very few, I hope they add it in season 2 other than that I loved it my favourite episode is of Catwoman also she would return as well.

[@VampX13]

Thanks for the super chat! And for the comment! :)

[@Dunybrook]

I just view the whole thing as an elseworld journey and don't try to make it fit into mainstream continuity. This Alfred looks much more like the original version in the comics. It's very year oneish. Didn't notice any romantic vibes between Barbara and Bats but I wasn't looking for that either.

[@PirateJacques79]

The 1st two episodes are kinda slow. But I got to the end of episode 3 and just had to binge the entire season in one sitting. It's great!

[@nymnicholas]

The ONLY thing i cannot stand is, they made Alfred "rounder" than needed. This is a disrespect. They should have done better. Anyway, have a lovely day :-)

[@saifalimuhannad2807]

@@nymnicholas I think they went for the original design of Alfred, I was bothered by it at first, but this Alfred has grown on me.

[@budgiecat9039]

@@saifalimuhannad2807 Alfred wasn't that fat in the original comics. He was stocky

[@michaelwallace3105]

I'm old enough to have seen many versions of Batman, some I liked better than others. I really liked this version. The first episode is good, but it gets even better as it goes along, IMO.

[@budgiecat9039]

Batman is barely focused on in this show. It's a letdown

[@michaelwallace3105]

@@budgiecat9039 I didn't feel that way. To each their own

[@sergioaccioly5219]

This is not the cuddly Batman we're used to. He's a bit (a lot?) of an a**hole. But he changes over the season - if you pay attention. Everybody is a lot harder here. Get ready for that.

[@bensneb360]

As someone who’s seen the whole show, I think your in for a fun ride

[@A.Musing.Streamer]

Highly Agreed. The first episode is legit the wekest.

[@krono5el]

even tho reeves is only the producer it seems very matt reeves influenced.

[@UptownDuck000]

FINALLY

[@VampX13]

🦇🦇🦇

[@gloriouslumi]

I thoroughly enjoyed "Caped Crusader", especially all of the new interpretations of characters. Seeing The Penguin as a woman did surprise me at first, but the murder of her own child made it abundantly clear this was a daring new take. It definitely made it clear this is a truly vile and selfish person, and the wanton shelling of a city being covered up by corrupt police paint Gotham as a truly broken city.

[@SD_Marc]

I liked it. I like the Bat suit, taking it way back. This is definitely an intense, driven Batman. I saw a review say Batman is the actual personality and Bruce is the "mask" and I can see that. Bruce does seem to be a put-on compared to The Bat. I don't feel this show is as cohesive as The Animated Series, yet, but I also don't want to hold this to any expectations. I'm hoping for more seasons to see it develop.

[@budgiecat9039]

This is why I didn't like Pattinson's Bruce Wayne in The Batman. He wore his trauma outside in public

[@somelettersnnumbers]

I was honestly let down a bit. The voice acting isn't bad & I like the version of this Batsuit but the story is just not that engaging because the characters are not nearly as likable as how they were in the original animated series especially: Bullock, Harvey Dent, Harley Quinn...

[@budgiecat9039]

Hai Li Qin

[@somelettersnnumbers]

@@budgiecat9039 As an Asian American, I find your comment rather tasteless and unamusing. My issue is how they wrote her character as a completely different psychopath. Nothing to do with race.

[@thomashobbes8786]

Don’t like what they did with Penguin or Alfred. Sad times.

[@MikePhillips-x6m]

I dont know why they didnt just get Jason Watkins voice the penguin and got someone else voice Alfred. Making the Penguin woman is stupid idea. If you look at Alfred it looks like he was originally going to be Penguin but last minute decide to gender swap him.

[@JamesTillmanjimthegray]

i loved the series its to me a adult version of btas , watched all 10 eps in 1 sitting

[@mattgorsuch]

I really liked the first episode, by the second episode... I loved it. Let me just say this, if you've read Gotham Central by Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka, I think you will really enjoy the season.

[@JohnTW23]

I had to get use to the changes of the characters that I’m so use to how they are depicted, but the first ep. Still felt very Batman to me, and an overall solid first ep.

[@SuperSeoExperts]

I can’t figure out if I hate it or it’s ok lol

[@jesusvalentino5491]

I hope you feel better beautiful,

[@Dru2037]

I love the show it has the BTAS familiar feel. I wouldn't care if Barbara and Bruce got together in this universe because they're pretty much the same age.

[@acereporter73]

Some parts were a touch jarring--in the context of the timeframe they were emulating BUT once I embraced that this is a fictional variation of that era, I focused on what the characters were up to and why. I did find it hard to grasp some motivations at times--overall I enjoyed it.

[@FreeLatveria]

The gender swapped Penguin didn't work for me for mostly one reason, they changed her into a woman just so they could drag out the "mother so ruthless she will kill her son" trope. Which made me roll my eyes and think to myself, "Cowboy Bebop did it better." Also I didn't like that they tried to make her a little sultry, which to me goes against the Penguin. He's ugly. He's unlikeable. Those are some core parts of the character for me, and introducing this Penguin as a lounge singer? Nah.

[@homeaccount5943]

Thank you for the review Amanda. I hope you feel better sweetheart. I didn't like this new show at all. It's sad that the 1992 show is still significantly better.

[@citpeks2000]

I just finished the entire series, and honestly it's not terrible. There's definitely more about it that I like than I dislike.

[@mrlugo9314]

Why does Alfred look like Mr Belvedere and the hamburglers secret love child we didn't know about. But we found him on the first episode. I'm just trying to wrap my mind around the military trained man of his majesty looking like that. But I still must see.

[@BecomingBoundless]

I REALLY LOVED IT AND IF YOU DISAGREE WITH ME YOU ARE WRONG /joking, but I really liked the different takes and treatments of the villains. I like the older style costume. Kind of wish they'd kept the purple gloves. Also Hamish Linklater makes a decent Bruce Wayne, but he hasn't truly found his voice as Batman.

[@mitchell5566]

Ditched after two episodes. Apparently only the last two episode are worth watching

[@edhlegal1]

I just watched the first episode. Overall I like it. Nice tone, captures the feel of the original Batman of the late 30's and early 40's pre Robin. As for the changes you commented on, I noticed several changes which to me is not surprising for 2024. Commissioner Gordon and Barbara; I assume from the flesh tone, they are persons of color, something which would not exist in Golden Age Batman. As for the Penguin, that is the most radical change, not because the character is a woman, but because when the Penguin first appeared in the mid 40's he was a master thief, not a sociopath. Batman hanging a man over the train tracks; read some late 30's Superman where when he wanted a confession he would carry the crook over the telephone lines and throw them high up in the air. Talk about hard core. In sum, I look forward to watching the rest of the episodes.

[@rodneylindsey849]

I’ve seen the whole season , & I’m a fan …👍🏾 Bruce Timm, & we will even understand you hooking up this version of Bruce & Babs …I know we are getting a lot of “Woke”& “Dark “ criticism…for me it works , Batman is my All Time Favorite Comic Book Character , & I just take this a Elsworlds Bat …& Very Cool one …Staying Nerdy 🖖🏾

[@rodneylindsey849]

I mean if you hook up Bruce & Babs in future seasons 🖖🏾

[@andrewburnett2981]

I love the unknown factor of the show. I’m excited to see what the show does and what they do with the characters because I was surprised by a lot of the show and only predicted a handful of things.

[@mrbigonbig]

I was on the fence at first. But after episode 1, i was hooked. The pacing is good, the dialogue is sharp. They are a few moments were it got dark. Which they pulled off, brilliantly. Episode 8 was the best one. Hoping for a season 2. HA. HA. HA.

[@Outlier999]

Changing race and gender for the sake of change is not creativity. It adds nothing to the quality of the show, just senseless anachronisms.

[@kemmdog4444]

You loopy? Nah.

[@Jack_of_Hearts4]

When I saw that they changed it to taking place in the 40s, I knew that they messed up. It feels like they took something that everyone wanted, more Batman TAS, and turned it into something that nobody was asking for in my opinion.

[@jprice6419]

The end in the sea was cool

[@callac]

In comics Batman use to do threats too. But most of those we can't listen. Like in another animation Batman can make villains talk better then Superman.

[@djash7161]

PennyWorth was Excellent

[@williamjackson6705]

It was Elseworlds so I didn't mind the gender & race swaps. Oswalda / The Penguin was vicious. I wish they would bring her into the main continuity as Oswald's long-lost sister. I'd love to see the original go up against her in a gang-war. Overall, I loved the show & hope we get season 2 soon. I want to see their take on Joker.

[@Outlier999]

I did. If the series took place in 2024 or some undefined period like the 90s show, I could accept it. I can’t accept it in a show that is obviously set in 1940. Making Jim and his daughter people of color without any other nuances or changes is pointless.

[@DeitrichDavis]

The whole show is weak and pure trash!!!🗑️

[@COWBOYSFAN92]

I Just FINISHED Watching the Season Finale last night and Amanda trust me once your into episode two you'll be sucked in like I was and wanting to watch two a day particularly if like me you grew up in the 90s with the animated show. @AmandaMcKnight

[@A.Musing.Streamer]

Ep 2 is what sucked me in. I honestly did not like episode 1 much and did not jump right into the next episode until a day or 2 later...and then i finished the series basically lol.