I usually get very upset with the special features of many Blu-Rays these days, while this set really didn't make me mad like the previous DC animated film I reviewed did, it wasn't exactly a giant step in the right direction either. There are a few featurettes that come as special features(on the Blu-Ray only), for example the preview of the upcoming Justice League animated film "Justice League: Throne of Atlantis"(this is also on the DVD). While I wouldn't call this much of a special feature, it is nice to see what the future is for these films. That featurettes runs at just over 9 minutes. There is also a nice background featurette that features Harley Quinn(who has a major roles in this film). This feature has nice background of the character, and only runs at just over 13 minutes long. The big featurette of the Blu-Ray is a look at the background of Arkham Asylum from the comics to the video game. This is a nice feature, sadly they barely even mention the connection of this movie and the popular video games. Which is why I actually listened to the audio commentary for once. This commentary was very informative and is a much watch for those who feel let down by the other special features.The Arkham Asylum featurette runs at just over 27 minutes.
As usual with a Blu-Ray it comes with the top of the line sound and picture quality. While once again 7.1 surround sound is missing, 5.1 surround sound does just fine if you are watching on a home theater system. Hopefully though, with future releases that important update comes along.
The movie itself is generally very well done with some very exciting fight scenes. While I cannot say this film is better than the recent New 52 Justice League animated films, it sure feels on the same level in terms of quality. The good thing about moving away from the New 52 film is that legendary Batman voice actor, Kevin Conroy is back once again. When I was younger I grew up watching the animated television show, and to have him back is simply amazing. Troy Baker continues to voice The Joker, and if no one told you Mark Hamill had left the role a few years ago, you wouldn't even know there was an actor change. Baker is really something special the way he delivers those fantastic one liners throughout the film. Very good stuff.
In closing, this movie is a must own for the DC animated fans like myself. What this film also brings to the table is a reason for the Arkham video game fans to own it as well. Either way, this film was very good, although I'm still sort of letdown by the special features.
Nick Nadel is a comedy writer and blogger living in Brooklyn, NYIt's official: Filming on The Dark Knight Rises has wrapped. While we won't see the final installment of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy until next summer, rumors and plot details have been circulating faster than the Batmobile peeling down a Gotham back alley. So let's separate the fact from the fiction in the Dark Knight Rises rumor mill. 
How Much Time Has Passed Since The Dark Knight?Answer: 8 years. As I speculated when the first teaser trailer for The Dark Knight Rises hit, much time has passed since Commissioner Gordon and his annoying son watched Batman run off to become the "hero that Gotham needs." In the brief clip of an injured Gordon talking to Batman (or is it Bruce Wayne?), we learn that the Caped Crusader has been "away" for some time. Now we know that Batman has been absent from Gotham for nearly a decade. Nolan revealed to Empire, "Our story picks up quite a bit later, eight years after The Dark Knight. So he's an older Bruce Wayne; he's not in a great state." And, from the looks of the early photos of Bane in action, neither is Gotham. 
Will Bane "Break" Batman? Answer: Yes, metaphorically at least. Since Bane was announced as the "big bad" in The Dark Knight Rises, fans have been wondering whether Nolan and company would bring the infamous moment from the "Knightfall" storyline where Bane broke Batman's back to the big screen. Indeed, Tom Hardy, who plays Bane, has revealed that the villain's fighting style is "brutal" and that he does everything from "crushing skulls" to "ripping out spinal columns." While there's no indication so far that Bane will literally "break" Batman, Christian Bale's recent comments about Batman's emotional state in The Dark Knight Rises hints that perhaps Bane's destruction of Gotham will push the Caped Crusader to his breaking point. As Bale told Ace Showbiz, "It's time for Bruce Wayne to face the pain that has always stirred his life." Bale confirms that Bruce will finally start to deal with the death of his parents. Between his emotional pain and the physical beatings that Bane will no doubt hand out, Bruce Wayne will be lucky to come out of The Dark Knight Rises in one piece. 
Will Christian Bale's Hang Up the Batsuit After The Dark Knight Rises? Answer: Yes. Bale recently told the press, "I wrapped a few days ago, so that will be the last time I'm taking that cowl off ... It's all done. Everything's finished. It's me and Chris -- that will be the end of that Batman era." We all suspected that The Dark Knight Rises would be Bale and Nolan's swan song, although many fans wondered whether Bale would sign on for a fourth film without his director. Now we know that Bale is officially saying goodbye to the franchise. Let the casting rumors for "Batman 4" begin! 
Answer: No. Rumors have circulated for a while that Ellen Page would cameo as Barbara Gordon, the daughter of Commissioner Gordon who eventually becomes Batgirl. Recently, Dark Knight Rises Rumors claimed to have spotted a sign on The Dark Knight Rises set that read "E. Page 'B. Gordon.' " However, sources close to the production have now confirmed that the sign is a fake. Looks like we'll have to wait until the inevitable Batman reboot to see a new Batgirl on the big screen. Maybe Batman & Robin's Alicia Silverstone can play the new Batgirl's mom! Let's start that rumor now ... 
Answer: For this one, we go to costume designer Lindy Hemming, who told Empire, "[Bane] was injured early in his story. He's suffering from pain and needs gas to survive. He can't survive the pain without the mask. The pipes from the mask go back along his jawline and feed into the thing at his back, where there are two canisters." So the question is, will the gas be the "Venom" drug that Bane draws his strength from in the comics? Also, will his gas tie into Scarecrow's fear toxin? You know Scarecrow has to pop up somewhere in The Dark Knight Rises.
Will the First Scene of The Dark Knight Rises be shown before Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol? Answer: Yes. Nolan confirmed that, much like The Dark Knight prologue that played before I Am Legend way back in 2007, the first six or seven minutes of The Dark Knight Rises will be shown before IMAX screenings of Tom Cruise's latest spy opus. (In case you skip that flick, a new trailer will be shown before Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.) Nolan also revealed that the prologue would introduce Bane to audiences and be "a taste of the rest of the film." Clearly Batman will once again be the talk of the holiday movie season.