Batman: Assault On Arkham is an animated offering that is set within the storylines of the current Batman: Arkham video games, but one doesn’t need to have played those games to enjoy and understand what is going on here. Actually this works very well as a stand-alone story without the trappings of the video game stories that precede or succeed this one.
Seven criminals are offered a chance to sort of redeem themselves and shave time off their incarceration. Some are immediately recognizable, such as Harley Quinn while others are less so, such as Black Spider. In many ways this is less a Batman film and much more of a Suicide Squad film. I loved the Suicide Squad when it was introduced as a monthly comic in the 80s. While it has been used consistently since then I have always felt it hasn’t seen as much prominence as I would prefer.
With Batman relegated to a supporting role the emphasis is well on these criminals and their assignment – to break into Arkham Asylum. The events here lead up to the beginning of the video game in a way, and while it may not completely jive with the video game’s storyline the two are close enough one can enjoy both either together or separately. The Joker is showcased well as are Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, Killer Frost and Edward Nigma.
I was surprised at how good the story was without Batman, and had the character had even less screen time and a non-speaking role I think Assault On Arkham would have been better. Yes, I said it. This film could have used less Batman. Thankfully most of the action focuses on the various rogues, only some of which are usually associated with Batman such as Killer Frost and King Shark. Why are they assigned to break into Arkham Asylum? Is it really as simple as that? Doesn’t anybody have any ulterior motives?
Because the action focuses more on the Suicide Squad (though the name isn’t used) there’s less reason for heroics. Batman: Assault On Arkham in many ways plays out like a good old-fashioned caper film. And not everybody makes it out in one piece.
Special features are pretty good here. There’s an audio commentary which is worth a listen and a lengthy featurette about Arkham Asylum and its history in the Batman franchise. Then there’s a shorter (fluffier) featurette on Harley Quinn. I would have liked to have seen one on the Suicide Squad, but maybe that’s just me. Some cartoon episodes and other negligible stuff round out the offerings.
Batman: Assault On Arkham isn’t “essential” viewing, but it is one of the better DC Universe animated films in a while. Maybe it is because it did something a little different.