Batman: Assault on Arkham

Batman: Assault on Arkhamis a 2014direct-to-videoanimatedsuperhero filmthat is the 21st film of theDC Universe Animated Original Movies.Based on theBatman: Arkhamvideo game franchise, the film was directed byJay OlivaandEthan Spaulding,produced by James Tucker, and written by Heath Corson.It was first screened at the 2014San Diego Comic-Conon July 25, 2014, and it was released digitally on July 29 and on physical media on August 12.

Batman: Assault on Arkham
Home video re-release cover art (2016)
Directed by	Jay Oliva Ethan Spaulding
Written by	Heath Corson
Based on	Characters appearing in comic books published byDC Entertainment
Produced by	James Tucker
Starring	Kevin Conroy Neal McDonough Hynden Walch Matthew Gray Gubler
Edited by	Christopher D. Lozinski
Music by	Robert J. Kral
Production companies	Warner Bros. Animation DC Entertainment MOI Animation(Animation services)
Distributed by	Warner Home Video
Release dates	July 25, 2014(2014-07-25)(San Diego) July 29, 2014(2014-07-29)(Digital) August 12, 2014(2014-08-12)(Physical)
Running time	76 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

The story focuses primarily on theSuicide Squad,particularlyBatmanvillainsDeadshotandHarley Quinnwith Batman himself in a supporting role. In the film, the Suicide Squad, consisting of six criminals, are dispatched byAmanda Wallerto break intoArkham Asylum,where they must contend with the asylum's inmates and Batman as they attempt to complete their mission to reclaim information stolen by theRiddler.

Plot

Batmanrescues theRiddlerfrom a black ops assassination ordered byA.R.G.U.S.'s directorAmanda Wallerand returns him toArkham Asylum.In response, Waller captures wanted super-criminalsBlack Spider,Captain Boomerang,Deadshot,Harley Quinn,KGBeast,Killer Frost,King Shark,and Mrs. Helen Brown recruits them into theSuicide Squadto break into Arkham and recover athumbdrivein Riddler's cane containing sensitive knowledge about the squad, and implants nano-bombs in their necks to make them comply. After killing KGBeast for attempting to leave, Waller sends the remaining squad members toGotham Cityto receive equipment from thePenguin.While staying overnight at theIceberg Lounge,Harley and Deadshot have a one-night stand. The next day, Harley attracts Batman's attention amidst his search for adirty bombtheJokerhid in Gotham in order to send herself to Arkham. As she is taken to her cell, an incarcerated Joker taunts Harley, who steals a guard's gun and shoots his cell in a rage.

Meanwhile, the other squad members infiltrate Arkham, looping the previous day's security footage to distract Batman and Waller. The group locates the Riddler's cane and Harley's mallet, but discover the former is empty. Realizing their ruse, Batman subdues the squad before assuming Spider's suit and place in their ranks. Using the chaos, Frost breaks into the Riddler's cell, having been secretly ordered by Waller to kill him. However, he reveals he is a former member of the squad who knows how to disarm the nano-bombs. She takes him to the others, who agree to let him disarm their bombs in exchange for helping him escape. Concurrently, the Joker notices a structural weakness Harley made during her attempt on his life, short-circuits the cell door, and escapes.

The Riddler uses anelectroshockmachine to fry the squad's bombs as Waller calls for an update. Realizing their treachery, she detonates the bombs, but only succeeds in killing Shark, whose thick skin made him immune to the electricity, and Spider. Batman reveals himself and confronts the squad, but they are attacked by the Joker, who intends to kill Deadshot for having sex with Harley, though she convinces the former to forgive her. While Batman deduces from Deadshot the Joker hid his bomb in Harley's mallet, the Joker frees the inmates to cover his escape. Frost is killed and Boomerang is left behind in the ensuing breakout while Deadshot escapes in a helicopter, only to learn the Joker Harley and Mrs. Brown stowed away while Batman gives chase. Deadshot and the Joker fight, which makes the helicopter crash into a building Mrs. Brown falls to her death. Deadshot pins the Joker to the helicopter before pushing it off onto the streets below, while Batman knocks out Harley and disarms the bomb.

In the aftermath, Batman confronts Waller for allowing the Riddler to escape and warns her to discontinue theTask Force Xprogram. She dismisses him, taunting him about how the Joker's body was not found in the helicopter wreckage. Once Batman leaves, Waller notices Deadshot, reunited with his daughter, is targeting her with a scoped rifle from afar.

Voice cast

• Kevin Conroy–Bruce Wayne / Batman
• Neal McDonough–Floyd Lawton / Deadshot
• Hynden Walch–Harleen Quinzel / Harley Quinn
• Matthew Gray Gubler–Edward Nygma / Riddler
• Troy Baker–Joker
• CCH Pounder–Amanda Waller
• Greg Ellis–George Harkness / Captain Boomerang
• Giancarlo Esposito–Eric Needham / Black Spider
• John DiMaggio–Nanaue / King Shark
• Jennifer Hale–Louise Lincoln / Killer Frost
• Nolan North–Anatoli Knyazev / KGBeast,Oswald Cobblepot / Penguin
• Eric Bauza– Security Guy
• Chris Cox–Commissioner James Gordon
• Martin Jarvis–Alfred Pennyworth
• Peter Jessop– Watch Commander
• Christian Lanz –Jonathan Crane / Scarecrow,Victor Zsasz
• Andrea Romano– Woman
• Travis Willingham– Morgue Guy
• Mick Wingert– Joker Security Guy

Additionally,Bane,Two-FaceandPoison Ivymake non-speaking cameo appearances as Arkham Asylum inmates.

Production

Development

In 2009,video game developerRocksteady Studioslaunched the beginning of theirBatman: Arkhamseries withBatman: Arkham Asylum.With a total of four main entries, the series reached critical acclaim and success.Near the end of development ofBatman: Arkham Origins,Warner Bros. Animationapproached Heath Corson to write a story focusing on the Suicide Squad set within the Batman Arkhamverse.Jay OlivaandEthan Spauldingwere brought in to director and James Tucker to produceUpon reading the script, Oliva stated that "...it was very different than what I was used to, because I started prepping for this film, I thought to myself 'Well you know what, if I directed this a little differently [sic] like what if I directed this like aGuy Ritchiefilm.' "The film would be directed with a similar style to aPoliziotteschiItalian mobfilm. For the team, Corson knew that he wanted Deadshot, Captain Boomerang and Harley Quinn, because she knew the in-and-outs of Arkham. He described the relationship between Deadshot and Boomerang as "...Ocean's Eleven,but at every turnBrad Pitttried to killGeorge Clooney."

Pre-production

In the casting process, some actors were taken from theirBatman: Arkhamroles while others were not.Kevin Conroy,the voice actor of Batman inBatman: The Animated Series,most of theBatman: Arkhamgames, and many other DC properties was brought on to voice the character.Neal McDonoughwas brought on the play Deadshotinstead ofChris Coxwho voices Deadshot in theArkhamgames,who instead voices Commissioner Jim Gordon.Hynden Walchreprises her role as Harley Quinn fromThe Batman.Arleen Sorkin,who played Harley Quinn inBatman: Arkham Asylum,norTara Strongwho voiced the character inBatman: Arkham City,were brought in for the film.Matthew Gray Gublervoices the Riddlerinstead ofWally Wingertfrom the seriesandTroy Bakervoices the Jokerinstead ofMark Hamill.CCH Pounderreprises her role as Amanda Waller fromBatman: Arkham OriginsandMartin Jarvisreprised his role as Alfred Pennyworth from the Arkhamverse.Greg Elliswas brought in to voice Captain Boomerang,Giancarlo Espositoto voice Black Spider,John DiMaggioas King Shark, andJennifer Haleas Killer Frost.Nolan Northreprises his role as the Penguin from theArkhamgames, and additionally voices KGBeast.Christian Lanz voices Scarecrow, replacingDino AndradefromArkham Asylum,as well as Victor Zsasz, replacingDanny JacobsfromArkham AsylumandCity.

For the soundtrack,Robert J. Kralwas brought in to compose.In a press release, Oliva said "We usually do the operatic epic music that we've all become accustomed to in the live action and animated comic book films for the last twenty five years.... James Tucker, my producer, was very supportive of the idea of doing a more contemporary take on the superhero music and when Rob sent us his first pass of the score, we were tremendously pleased."

Production

When handling the look ofArkham Asylum,the artists mainly took inspiration from the way it was depicted inBatman: Arkham Asylum,while also aiming to increase the scary factor the game held. The team also aimed to add a foreboding and haunting nature to the depiction and sounds. The voice actors were recorded atSalami StudiosinNorth Hollywood, California.

Soundtrack

Batman: Assault on Arkham (Music from the DC Universe Movie)
Film scoreby Robert J. Kral
Released	July 30, 2014
Length	51:21
Label	WaterTower Music

The soundtrack toBatman: Assault on Arkhamwas released on July 30, 2014, with music composed byRobert J. Kral.

Track list

Batman: Assault on Arkham (Music from the DC Universe Movie)

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Nigma's Confrontation / It's Batman"	3:10
2.	"Criminal Montage"	3:06
3.	"Task Force Indoctrination"	2:41
4.	"Dropping Down"	2:00
5.	"Gearing Up / Beer Room Challenge"	1:51
6.	"Harley Arrested to Arkham"	3:01
7.	"Infiltrating Arkham & Joker Assault"	5:33
8.	"Killer Frost's Kiss & Black Spider's Microwave"	1:59
9.	"Harley Bait & King Shark's Work"	1:27
10.	"Suicide Squad in the Big House"	3:44
11.	"Batman's Gotham & Property Room Access"	2:59
12.	"Batman Fights Suicide Squad"	2:12
13.	"Joker's Out / Suicide Squad vs. SCU"	3:34
14.	"Joker Attacks Batman"	1:40
15.	"Prisoners Released"	2:45
16.	"Chopper Fight / Poison Ivy / The Batplane"	2:03
17.	"Chopper Crash"	2:24
18.	"Final Confrontations"	2:08
19.	"Batman – Assault On ArkhamEnd Credits "	3:04
Total length:		51:21

Reception

Critical reception

The film has an aggregated score of 75% onRotten Tomatoesbased on eight reviews.

Scott Mendelson ofForbesroundly praisedAssault on Arkhamfor its action, art style, humor, voices, and characters, calling it one of the best films of DC's direct-to-video lineup. He described it as a "gleefully immoral" heist film which, having "no real [plot] arc to speak of", relies on its violent action and clever character dynamics within the Suicide Squad to carry it. Due to its villainous protagonists, dark comedy, and sexual content, Mendelson considers the production ofAssault on Arkhaman experimental decision by DC, and a successful experiment as it tells a style of comic book story that would never get approval as a live-action project.

Seth Robison ofNewsaramawas far more critical, considering the animation, characterization, and storytelling in the film poor. He had particular dislike for the voice acting, which he believed squandered a talented cast by delivering a "disjointed" performance, and forAssault on Arkham's interpretation of Amanda Waller, which he believed simplified her into merely another villain. He further found Deadshot's sympathetic characterization opaque to non-comic readers and Harley Quinn's crazy act obnoxious. Overall, Robison deemed the experience of the film "superficial" and thought it compared unfavorably to those offered by theArkhamvideo games and theJustice League Unlimitedepisode "Task Force X".

Sales

The film earned $5,820,248 in domestic home video sales.

Continuity with the video game series

Assault on Arkhamwas announced as being set in the universe of theBatman: Arkhamvideo game franchise,taking place afterArkham Origins,and two years beforeArkham Asylumaccording to Jay Oliva. James Tucker stated that the film was intended to bridge the gap betweenArkham OriginsandArkham Asylum.However, the 2024 video gameSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice League,which takes place afterArkham Knight,directly conflicts with the continuity elements of the film. In particular,Kill the Justice Leaguefeatures the appearance of King Shark, who sports a different design and personality. The main characters also do not acknowledge having worked together prior to the events of the game, with three of them (Harley Quinn, King Shark, Captain Boomerang) featured in this film, whereas Deadshot is re-established as an African-American man, while the Caucasian version of Deadshot, who is featured in both the film and previousArkhamgames, is alluded to be a multiversal variant.

External links

• Batman: Assault on ArkhamatIMDb