Batman: The Long Halloween

I'll keep it short as the other reviewer covers everything in detail. I can't believe there's only one other review for this. It's a 2 part animation with a run time of 3 hours. It's dark and grimy and definitely not for kids. It feels more like The Punisher with all the mobsters dying horrible deaths than The Batman. So many cool death scenes and it's definately not predictable who the killer is. You forget you're watching an animation. I can't prasie it enough. DC always nails the animation but this is a very solid addition. It's not made for kids and so just be warned. A great all start cast voicing the characters. Enjoy.

For those who have already read the comics, every element from the original story is present. But Chris Palmer doesn't just do a copy-and-paste job - he adds original elements that make the story feel fresh and unique, and it really caught my attention.

I loved this Batman story, especially because the main theme is police investigation, which is something I truly enjoy.

The way Batman's rogues gallery was used is really well done - especially the Joker, who is both menacing and funny, and Two-Face, who brings a psychological depth to the story."

The animation, dialogue, humor, suspense - all of these elements in the movie are fantastic."

As stated by another user, Nob0dy (their review has spoilers), the Batman you see in this film is not like what we have seen in most others. There is some time spent on Batman's relationships and his past, but the story very much is not focused on him. Instead, we are given introductions to a number of people involved in the story. Making for a very captivating murder mystery movie.

I am usually not one for murder mysteries, but just wow. You feel like you can understand all the characters. We are given just enough information to understand them, but not enough to be certain of anything. You can try to follow along and figure out who the culprit is, but there are so many convincing suspects. Just when you think you know who it is, there is a twist.

This is the best movie I have seen in years. Not just DCAMU, nor animated movies, nor superhero movies, but all movies. I went into this thinking it would be similar to The Killing Joke, but I am glad to have been mistaken. I highly suggest giving it a try, even if you are not in the mood. It is just that good.

The two-part animated film Batman: The Long Halloween (2021) is an accurate adaptation of the critically acclaimed comic book of the same name. The movie faithfully recreates the essence of the original work, down to the tragic transformation of Harvey Dent into Two-Face and the neo-noir atmosphere and intricate mystery. Comic book readers will value the painstaking attention to detail, which extends to the dialogue and character designs. A succession of holiday-themed murders are solved by Batman working with (and occasionally against) Gotham's best, making for a thrilling whodunit that even beginners can become engaged in.

Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's crime masterpiece is one of my favourite Batman arcs. Ever. Story & Art.

The Tomorrowverse's ambitious two-part adaptation of one of Batman's greatest comic stories delivers stellar voice work and gorgeous animation while squandering the immense potential. They could have just done a "manga to anime" adaptation with 13 episodes of 20 min each and we would have got a 9/10 gem.

What Works: Jensen Ackles channels Supernatural's intense brooding into a compelling Batman, while Josh Duhamel brings Las Vegas charisma to Harvey Dent's tragic transformation. Naya Rivera's final performance as Catwoman balances sultry confidence with emotional depth.

The animation somewhat captures Tim Sale's distinctive gothic artwork with moody cinematography that occasionally matches the comic's noir brilliance.

What Struggles: The script consistently underwhelms, transforming Loeb's razor-sharp dialogue into stilted conversations. Part One drags with sluggish pacing, while Part Two improves tempo but maintains the same hollow characterization. Key emotional beats feel underwritten, stripping away the psychological complexity that made the source material legendary.

The holiday mystery structure becomes meandering rather than tight, and Batman himself sometimes feels "lifeless" despite Ackles' strong performance.

The Tragedy: This represents a massive missed opportunity. Loeb and Sale created comic perfection-a noir thriller that redefined Batman storytelling. The adaptation captures the visual style but loses the emotional core, reducing a 9/10 masterpiece to competent mediocrity.

Bottom Line: Exceptional voice casting and beautiful animation can't overcome weak writing that fails its legendary source material. Worth watching for completionists, frustrating for anyone who knows what this could have been.

Great potential, wasted execution.