Gotham by Gaslight review
Since this is a review and commentary all pictures used in this are legal under the terms of the fair use agreement of 1976.
You know there’s a reason why the DC animated movies have done so well. Especially when compared with the Marvel animated movies.
Gotham by Gaslight is a shining example of that. A crown jewel in the DC animated Universe.
This movie got based on the graphic novel of the same name. And let me say watching it proved an absolute joy!
This movie takes place in a 19th Century Gotham city. A killer known as Jack has been hunting down and killing women. And makes their presence known in the beginning of the movie.
Meanwhile Bruce Wayne AKA Batman has become a terror to the criminals of the city. And is seeking to hunt down Gotham’s Jack the Ripper.
In this movie there are appearances from some noted Batman characters. Including Chief Bullock, Poison Ivy, Dr. Hugo Strange, Selena Kyle, and Harvey Dent. The movie plays out like a Batman comic and a Sherlock Holmes novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
This movie is one-part comic and one-part suspenseful murder mystery. Mixed right as if by a master chef. Now that's what i call good stuff!
I found two things that helped make this movie work for me. First Batman mentions he learned some tricks from Harry Houdini.
Second In the main Batman universe Bruce Wayne read Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. Which showed him how to be a good detective.
In Gotham by Gaslight Bruce Wayne mentions he’s spent some time in Europe. And also mentions to Selena in one scene something he got taught. A paraphrased version of a line from Sherlock Holmes himself.
"When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains however improbable, must be the truth.
Indicating that he must’ve studied under Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson both. An excellent way to help tie things together and a well done move I thought.
The plot twists, and the person who turns out to be Jack will surprise even the most fervent of Batman fans. I’ll admit the true culprit surprised me as well. The way the writers played it was so well done that everything made sense.
Another scene that stood out was after the performance by Selena Kyle. She, Bruce Wayne, and Harvey Dent go out to a local Gotham saloon for some drinks. As they talk it's clear a drunk off his rear Harvey Dent treats Selena like a child.
But Bruce Wayne debates Selena and treats her like an adult. The two debate the killer who's been in the paper. Selena believes if it was men getting slaughtered the police chief would send out an army.
Bruce disagrees with this assertion. And points out if it were society ladies getting murdered there would be a greater outcry. Jack's targets have been destitute women.
In Bruce's words "When the voiceless cry out no one hears."
Fair point mister Wayne. Very fair point!
The chemistry between Bruce Wayne and Selena in this movie plays out in a very satisfactory way.
My only complaints were the following. They didn’t do enough with Poison Ivy. In fact, she didn’t get much screen time at all.
Only a little point at the beginning. That's more than a tad bit disappointing. They could've done so much more with her.
Also, they turned Batman’s sidekicks into street urchins. Um…not sure how well that worked. It seems a tad bit on the cheesy side.
So, I'm a bit iffy on that one.
Now here are my thoughts on the voice cast in this movie. Bruce Greenwood’s performance as Bruce Wayne AKA Batman was quite good. He actually did a good job of capturing the essence of Batman.
His tonal change for Bruce Wayne to make him more naive, and affable were quite convincing I thought. He's not Kevin Conroy, but he holds his own as Batman.
Jennifer Carpenter as Selena Kyle I thought did an excellent job. She mixed Selena with the 19th century Women’s Suffrage feminist. This is what true feminism was.
It wasn't about special rights but equal rights.
Jennifer Carpenter also sang in this movie. It was the scene of Selena Kyle's performance at the Crown Theater in Gotham. The whole “Can you tame Wild Women” scene I thought was a hoot.
The performance was very naughty yet retained a sense of subtlety. Sometimes leaving things to the imagination of others is the best way to go.
Grey Griffin’s performance as Sister Leslie was brief. But it was still a very believable and well-done performance. The scene where she, Jim Gordon, and Bruce talked in Alfred's carriage was amusing.
Especially when she made mention that Bruce’s business was likely blonde. I got a real chuckle out of that.
Yuri Lowenthal is a terrific voice actor who can do a range of characters. And his turn as Harvey Dent was fantastic. It's true we never saw Two-Face in this movie.
But he came off as a spoiled, entitled, 19th century aristocrat prick. Yet we see signs of a temper that show his side as Two-Face.
His playboy nature is clear as he and Bruce are talking during Selena Kyle’s performance. His comments about how marriage is a business arrangement. Thus, a real 19th century aristocratic prick.
Well done Mr. Lowenthal, well done.
Anthony Head’s performance as Alfred Pennyworth was superb. The way he talked sounded very British down to the use of such phrases as “Look lively lads”. While not in many scenes the ones that Alfred was in Anthony Head did well in making the most of.
Scott Patterson’s performance as James Gordon in this movie was very well done. I’ll strive not to give too much away. But you think he’s one thing through most of the movie.
Whether it’s with Bruce or others he's the quintessential respectable Commissioner. Yet you never know who or what his true nature is until the end. For any actor to do that you have to be very convincing.
Scott Patterson did a fine job of keeping his proverbial cards to his chest until the end. So, hats off to this man.
The animation in this movie I thought was pretty crisp. Very reminiscent of the old Batman: The Animated Series style. The atmosphere the animators came up with for this movie was very dark.
Like all Dark Knight stories, it was very brooding. Not a happy go lucky bright and shiny style. But still very crisp, very professional.
Adding in the Steampunk/Victorian element I thought added somehting to this.
In conclusion, Batman: Gotham by Gaslight is a worthy part of the DC animated universe. The voice cast was excellent. The animation was very good quality.
And the story was very crisp, professional and very well thought out. One-part Sherlock Holmes, one-part comic book movie. Batman: Gotham by Gaslight gets a B plus from me.
This is a movie that's worth every penny buying on physical media or a legal streaming service. And it's so worth the time and energy.
Thank you for reading this review, I'll see about having another one soon.
Well, I hope you enjoyed this review of Batman: Gotham by Gaslight. I hope I didn’t spoil too much for you.
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