A very well-done full-length animated movie set in the fictional world of the Batman, where a new costumed vigilante is prowling Gotham - with a total disregard for human life. Batman has a list of three suspects to deal with, while trying to stop the machinations of the Penguin, Rupert Thorne and a crime boss. Is the female of the species more deadly than the male? Read and find out!
Batman : Mystery of the Batwoman (2003) starring Kevin Conroy, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Kyra Sedgwick
Batman : Mystery of the Batwoman is a very entertaining film, set in the world of Batman : the Animated Series. It begins with the Batwoman of the title disrupting an arms shipment, but doing so with a total disregard of innocent bystanders, as well as being willing to use lethal force. Fortunately, Batman and Robin (the third Robin, Tim Drake) happen to be flying by, and prevent a semi truck falling off a bridge from killing innocent bystanders.
It soon becomes clear that Batwoman, voiced by Kyra Sedgwick, is on a mission of revenge against the Penguin and his partners is his current criminal activity, Rupert Thorne and Carlton Duquesne, the ‘muscle’ of the trio. Batman, with the aid of Alfred (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) soon has three possible suspects—Kathy Duquesne (Kimberly Brooks), who blames her father for her mother’s death in a gangland attack years before; Dr. Roxanne ‘Rocky’ Ballantine (Kelly Ripa), whose boyfriend was framed and sent to jail by Rupert Thorne; and Detective Sonia Alcana (Elisa Gabrielli) whose parents building was destroyed by arson as part of Thorne’s protection racket years ago.
There are several sub-plots running as well, including Bruce Wayne’s attraction to Kathy Duquesne, Kathy’s relationship with her father, as well as the gun-running operation to the tyrannical nation of Krasnia that the Penguin is trying to mastermind. Towards the end, the Penguin decides to hire the deadliest muscle available to deal with the ongoing incursions of Batwoman—Bane (voiced by Hector Elizondo)—which comic book fans remember as the man who broke Batman’s spine several years ago.
Overall, it’s a very enjoyable film—I recently watched it with my 9 year old son, who’s a fan of all things superhero in general and Batman in particular, and he was wildly enthusiastic. There was enough action to keep him entertained, as well as having a contest with his 11 year old sister to see who could solve the mystery of who the Batwoman was ... although they were both wrong in the end. It’s well done; if you’re a fan of Batman : the Animated Series, you’ll enjoy it very much. Several of my favorite actors (Hector Elizondo, Kyra Sedgwick, Bob Hastings, David Ogden Stiers) were voicing several of the roles, making it more enjoyable. I’ve never been a fan of Kelly Ripa, but I was pleasantly surprised by her performance as well.
I rate Batman : Myster of the Batwoman 4 stars out of 5, and I hope that you enjoy watching it as much as my children and I did.
Quotes for Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman
Bruce Wayne/Batman (Kevin Conroy): The last thing Gotham City needs is a vigilante running amuck.
Alfred Pennyworth (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.): As they say on the streets, I’m not touching that one.
Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot/The Penguin (David Ogden Stiers): Batman, Batgirl, Batwoman. What is it about this city - the water?
Detective Harvey Bullock (Robert Costanzo): We got enough batfreaks in Gotham. Sheesh, what’s next? Bathound?
Tim Drake/Robin (Eli Marienthal): What do they make here?
Bruce Wayne/Batman (Kevin Conroy): Trinkets, figurines, weapons of mass destruction.
Alfred Pennyworth (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.): Exactly what is it you hope to discover?
Bruce Wayne/Batman (Kevin Conroy): What a beautiful young woman does in her free time.
Alfred Pennyworth (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.): A pleasure drive, then.
Alfred Pennyworth (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.): (reading a newspaper) I see where Dennis the Menace is one step closer to juvenile hall.
Bruce Wayne/Batman (Kevin Conroy): You know, Alfred, I think I could use a new watch.
Alfred Pennyworth (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.): You deserve it, sir.
Kathleen ‘Kathy’ Duquesne (Kimberly Brooks): It’s a dressing room - the worse that could happen is I need a size 8. Why don’t you go rob Gift Wrapping or something.
Thug: I miss working for the Joker.
Alfred Pennyworth (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.): I see Ms. Duquesne is gifted in other sports then extreme shopping.
Detective Sonia Alcana (Elisa Gabrielli): So you never got married, huh?
Detective Harvey Bullock (Robert Costanzo): Nope. (licks off his fingers)
Detective Sonia Alcana (Elisa Gabrielli): Hard to believe.
Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot/The Penguin (David Ogden Stiers): And Mr. Wayne. It’s been quite a while, hasn’t it?
Bruce Wayne/Batman (Kevin Conroy): Yes, I believe the last time is when you stole plutonium from one of my labs and threatened to blow up the city.
Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot/The Penguin (David Ogden Stiers): Oh, oh yes. My more rambunctious days.
Bruce Wayne/Batman (Kevin Conroy): I must admit, it’s not every date I have that ends in a police investigation.
Detective Sonia Alcana (Elisa Gabrielli): You know, removing evidence from the scene of a crime is (Batman glares) probably not going to lose you any sleep.
Bruce Wayne/Batman (Kevin Conroy): This ship is going down in a minute, Bane
Bane (Hector Elizondo): That’s all the time I need.
Editorial review courtesy of Amazon.com
Fans of the stylized Batman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond, and their subsequent feature-length releases (Batman: Mask of the Phantasm) will be pleased to note that the same creative team responsible for those efforts have reunited for this action-filled adventure, which pits the Dark Knight against a fetching vigilante in Bat-gear. Kyra Sedgwick voices Batwoman, whose struggle to bring down the Penguin’s illegal arms trade gets her in hot water with his hired muscle, Bane (Hector Elizondo), and prompts Batman (Kevin Conroy) to swing into action. Curt Geda’s fast-paced, noir-influenced direction, a solid script by Michael Reaves that stays true to the comic book mythos, and a talented voice cast (which includes Kelly Ripa and David Ogden Stiers) help make Batwoman a welcome addition to the Batman DVD library. The Warner DVD’s 45 minutes of extras include an original short ("Chase Me"), nine character bios, behind-the-scenes footage, an interview with Geda, and other audience-pleasing supplements. --Paul Gaita
Product Description of Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman
The Dark Knight is back in this all-new feature-length thriller featuring the voices of Kelly Ripa (Live! With Regis and Kelly), Kyra Sedgwick (Born on the Fourth of July) and Hector Elizondo (The Princess Diaries). The Penguin and Rupert Thorn are criminal cohorts with a scheme to sell illegal weapons. But there’s a new super hero in Gotham City who has other plans for the evil entrepreneurs - Batwoman! With high-tech gadgets and powerful punches, Batwoman proves to be a formidable crimefighter - the only problem is that the Dark Knight has no clue who she is! And when Batwoman crosses the criminal line, Batman must identify whether or not this new player is really an ally! Join the world’s greatest detective in this exciting new adventure that will keep you guessing until the mask is pulled off! The DVD includes an exclusive Batman animated short, “Chase Me” from the Emmy(R) Award winning writers Alan Burnett and Paul Dini.