Rating: ***
Cast: Tim Daly, Kevin Conroy, Dana Delany, Mark Hamill, Clancy Brown
I must have been in the perfect mood when I watched this, because I found it to be one of the most fun and exciting films I've seen in months. The creative staff for the animated Batman series proves once again that they can make much better Batman movies than the live action Hollywood folks can. In short, it kicks ass! The Joker is low on cash so he goes to his old pal Lex Luthor in Metropolis to strike a deal. He says for a billion dollars he'll kill Superman for him. Lex reluctantly agrees (bad move, Lex!), and the Joker starts to carry out his diabolical plan. Unfortunately for him, Batman follows him to Metropolis and spoils his plans. Batman and Superman enter into an uneasy partnership to take down Luthor and the Joker, and the rest of the film is a non-stop slam-bang action fest. The women in the film are fantastic and beautifully rendered. Bruce Wayne puts the moves on sexy Lois Lane which further complicates his relationship with Superman, and the always welcomed Harley Quinn is on hand for fun and fights, with the highlight being a knock-down drag 'em out catfight with Luthor's female aide, Mercy. Simply fantastic, and decidedly more adult and mature than any of the live action films have been.