Review: 'Merry Little Batman' sends Dark Knight, son on holiday adventure

Jingle bells, this Batman smells.

I have waited far more years than I care to admit to be able to write those immortal words from my childhood — words that I’ve passed on to my children, and words that Bruce Wayne/Batman (voice by Luke Wilson) shared with his son Damian (Yonas Kibreab) as a way of bonding in the animated film “Merry Little Batman,” which debuted on Amazon Prime Friday.

Who would have thought someone would release a superhero-themed film around the holiday season, right?

It’s no surprise. What is, however, is that Warner Bros. allowed Batman to show up in a holiday film. He’s not exactly the holly jolly type.

Some would argue that “Batman Returns” qualifies as a holiday film. Nyet.

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“Merry Little Batman,” however, does. It takes the Dark Knight, who is a single parent courtesy of a nemesis’ daughter and a convoluted storyline, and his son, and a Christmas story unfolds. At best, it’s amusing with its self-deprecating humor and meta references to Batman’s more than 80-year history in all iterations, including that 1960s-era TV show firmly planted in a lot of people’s subconscious thanks to that little parody of the Christmas tune “Jingle Bells.”

At its worst, it can feel far too long for an animated endeavor as director Mike Roth and the film’s writers try to cram as many references and recognizable villains into the film as possible.

But it’s on Amazon Prime, and that’s one of the few advantages – or perhaps the only advantage – of streaming something. There’s always the pause button or the ability to pick up where you left off.

Damian is a precocious sort who wants to be just like dad, right down to the cape and cowl. He knows his father is the Guardian of Gotham City, or at least was. In this story, there’s no crime in Gotham because after Batman learned of impending parenthood, he put the city’s perpetual provocateurs behind bars or in Arkham Asylum.

That couldn’t possibly last forever, right? Of course not.

On Christmas Eve of all nights, Batman receives a suspicious phone call that sends him away on a Justice League mission, leaving Damian behind with his trusted butler, Alfred (voice by James Cromwell). With no crime, there is no worry in doing so.

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How convenient that bad things start happening to Batman while he’s away. For Dark Knight fans, it doesn’t take long to figure out this all has something to do with the Joker (voice by David Hornsby) and Batman’s gallery of villains. Damian, trying to emulate dear old dad, takes it upon himself to eliminate the issue with varying degrees of success.

Yes, there is the usual message of peace on Earth, goodwill to man and all that is associated with the Christmas holiday, but the film attempts to deliver an additional message about growing up too fast. Whether its intended audience gets it will depend on the individual.

And no, the Joker doesn’t get away.

George M. Thomas dabbles in movies and television for the Beacon Journal.

Review

Movie: “Merry Little Batman”

Cast: Luke Wilson, James Cromwell, David Hornsby, Yonas Kibreab

Directed by: Mike Roth

Rated: Not rated but safe for family

Grade: C

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Review: 'Merry Little Batman' sends hero, his son on holiday exploit