Batman vs Dracula is an unlikely pairing, but one that is realised in this feature length animated number involving Gotham’s Dark Knight. I don’t like the idea of a mortal hero fighting the supernatural in what might more apt for the Ghostbusters, but nevertheless the supernatural decides to make an appearance with mixed results.

The Penguin and Joker are informed of treasure hidden within a crypt in Gotham’s cemetery. After escaping from Arkham prison and a run in with Gotham’s protector, the Penguin finds himself in the wrong crypt at the wrong time. A slight mishap injures the Penguin, which causes his blood to fall upon a corpse that absorbs the blood and rises to begin a reign of terror 0n Gotham.

In terms of animation, it’s different from the previous animated series and feeling more like modern cartoons like The Mummy and Godzilla. The Joker, for example looks more like a Predator than the comic villian, and the Penguin as agile as Batman. It doesn’t fit in with the darker hero, and the more subdued and monochrome environments. It lends the feature a childish feel that seems to choose exaggeration over content, style over substance. What I liked about the previous animated series was the darkness and melancholy nature. All of this has been replaced for a more vivid and colourful offering.

I was mostly bored with this featurette, mainly because it felt repetitive and by the numbers. The animation is OK, but underwhelming with a modest use of unneccesary CGi. The flow of the animation is passable, but the plot jumps from scene to scene more aking to a incomprhensible soap such as Sunset Beach. Animated films can offer emotional journey’s as proven by any Miyazaki feature, and although I didn’t except the equivalent from Batman, I at least expected some interesting entertainment.

Logic says that Batman vs Dracula would be a mismatch, but in some illogical writing Batman is an equal, even when he’s failing, outwitting the cliched king of the vampires, in a dull, and lifeless 80 minutes of nauseating rubbish. They may as well have put him up against Hercules, or Bambi even, as it would offer just as likely a mismatch as Dracula.

For younger children, I think it offers a little too much and over the top animated violence, and the blood sucking tale may actually induce nightmares in younger viewers. It’s unclear as to who has been the target of this film, with little being offered to younger or teen viewers in the end. I do not have high hopes for this new series.

Verdict: Boring and uneventful new animated film of our favourite dark knight