The LEGO Batman Movie (2017/DC Comics/Warner 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray w/Blu-ray)

Picture: A-/B+ Sound: B+ Extras: B+ Film: B

After the success of The Lego Movie (2014, reviewed elsewhere on this site), where the iconic Caped Crusader made a brief and comedic appearance voiced by Will Arnett (recent Michael Bay-produced Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles films), it was announced that the next entry would be the Chris McKay directed The LEGO Batman Movie (2017).

The narrative of LEGO Batman is a bit odd as it is fully aware of the events in the previous big (and small) screen adaptations of Batman, yet makes the character here is far too egotistical for my own personal tastes and in some instances, he talks and has the brains of a stereotypical ''surfer dude''. At the same time, there are some pretty funny moments in LEGO Batman that even go as far as incorporating characters from other franchises into the mix including Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, The Matrix, and more. Fun for both kids and adults, the film is worth a watch and from an animation perspective, well executed but far from perfect.

The film also features the all star voice talents of Zach Galiflanakis, Rosario Dawson, Mariah Carey, Channing Tatum, Michael Cera, Ralph Fiennes, Billy Dee Williams, Jonah Hill, Zoe Kravitz, Jenny Slate, and Seth Green to name a few.

Batman (Arnett) is at the top of his game and is a force to be reckoned with in Gotham City - his only problem is a personal one: he desires a ''real'' family despite his love for Butler Alfred (Fiennes). When the Joker (Galiflanakais) hatches a hair brained scheme utilizing all of the villains in Gotham City, the Dark Knight ends up getting a bit of help from Barbara Gordon (Dawson) - the new Police Commissioner to whom he is infatuated with. In the same night, Batman/Bruce Wayne takes in an orphan soon to be known as Robin (Cera) and when the Joker surrenders, Batman's other villains are forced into surrendering too. Now with all of Gotham's adversaries behind bars, the city finds little use for Batman and all of his wonderful toys. It doesn't take long for something to go awry, as the Joker ends up getting teleported into the Phantom Zone (which is well to known to Superman fans), where he brings together villains from other multiverses into his own and the need for more than one hero in Gotham becomes a necessity to get things back to normal. Can Batman put aside his personal shortcomings to work with a new team and take back his city?

Aside from the film's bizarre imagining of the Batman character, its most interesting aspect to me is the way that it was made. The musical numbers in the film are painful to any ears (young or old, though we also get some licensed hits), and the demographics of some characters have been radically changed from what we are used to. Other DC characters show up in cameo roles as well and ultimately this might be a good introduction to the DC Universe for kids, but may perturb some fanboys and older audience members familiar with Batman lore by its inaccuracies.

LEGO Batman is presented in startling 4K Ultra HD/2160p transfer with HDR (high dynamic range 10-bit color) in 2.39:1 widescreen and sound in both Dolby Atmos 11.1 (with a Dolby TrueHD 7.1) lossless mix and a fantastic sounding DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 lossless track that is the same (audio-wise) on both this disc and the included 1080p Blu-ray disc. The film is very colorful, similar to the look of The LEGO Movie and the Joel Schumacher Batman films and is very intricate and detailed throughout. Texture can be noticed on the Lego characters themselves, namely Batman's cape and helmet. The sound mix is impressive with an interesting score by Lorne Balfe that is similar to the music in the Batman: Arkham video game series.

Also included is a 1080p Blu-ray edition which features a widescreen aspect ratio of 2.39:1 and the same audio track as the 4K UHD as mentioned. The colors and tones are very similar to the 4K, but the big difference is in the detail of the characters. Still up to standards with the format and passable, the Blu-ray presentation isn't a total downgrade. However, all of the extras with the exception of the commentary track are only viewable on the Blu-ray disc, as has become the norm for 4K UHD releases.

A Digital UV copy is also included.

Special Features:

- Original Animation Shorts:

- Dark Hoser

- Batman is Just Not That Into You

- Cooking with Alfred

- Movie Sound Effects: How Do They Do That?

- The Master: A LEGO Ninjago Short

- Deleted Scenes

- Featurettes:

- One Brick at a Time: Making the Lego Batman Movie

- Inside Wayne Manor

- Brick by Brick: Making of the LEGO Batman

- Behind the Brick

- Me and My Mini Fig

- Comic Con Panel

- ''Rebrick'' Contest Winners

- Film Trailers

- ''Lego Life'' Trailer

- Social Promos

- Follow Me Online

- Don't Skip

- Happy Holidays Jingle

- Batsby New Year's

- Team Cutdown

- Director and Crew Commentary

In terms of technical merits, The LEGO Batman Movie is impressive but in terms of story it's far off from what seasoned fans may expect. This set is packed with insightful extras, however, that make it a recommendable release.

- James Lockhart

https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/