Mike Roth’s Merry Little Batman is a kid-friendly addition to the DC animated universe that the whole family can enjoy. The art style is reminiscent of 2010s Cartoon Network and is as hilarious as it is nostalgic, harkening back to Roth’s time on Regular Show. We have pretty much only seen one version of Damian Wayne up to this point, and Merry Little Batman is bold enough to flip the script on the son of Batman. The film is genuinely funny, and the voice acting is top-notch, including our newest Batman, Luke Wilson. Just in time for the holidays, writers Morgan Evans (Teen Titans Go!) and Jase Ricci have found the perfect balance of heart and hilarity in this cartoon caper.
Damian Wayne (Yonas Kibreab) is living with his father, Batman (Wilson), but is itching to utilize the skills he learned from his assassin mother, Talia al Ghul. His attempts to become the new Robin are turned down, but The Dark Knight gifts Damian his very own utility belt for Christmas. Batman wants Damian to have the one thing he didn’t — a childhood. But like all kids, Damian is desperate to become an adult so soon. When Batman leaves for a mission on Christmas Eve, he leaves Damian in the care of Alfred (James Cromwell). When burglars break into Wayne manor, Damian is able to put up a good fight, but they take his utility belt. It’s up to Damian to recover it before Batman returns, so he can prove he deserves to be his dad’s sidekick.
Except for the kid-focused DC properties like DC Super Hero Girls and Teen Titans Go!, the DC animated catalog is mostly for young adults and older. Merry Little Batman flips the script. The film is explicitly for kids, but does not isolate older viewers. There are no callbacks to pop culture or homages to complex comic storylines. Rather, the film is focused on being a fun Christmas movie that just so happens to be set in the Wayne household.
The film’s animation plays a huge part in its success. Since the days of Bruce Timm and his iconic work on Batman: The Animated Series, the DC animated universe has tried to emulate its first show artistically. As time passed, the animation style changed, but rather than wholly uproot the process, it evolved. In recent years, bold moves with films like Batman Ninja have opened the door for complete change. Roth has brought his Regular Show animation style to DC, and it pairs perfectly with a story about a boy and his father.
The most original aspect of Merry Little Batman is the personality of Damian Wayne. Every iteration of him thus far has ranged from being a jerk who can’t work with a team to a villain. But his portrayal here is that of an innocent, if overzealous, child. It’s a welcome departure and gives way for an introspective look at a kid who was born with more natural talent than any other member of the Bat family. This version of Damian Wayne wants his father’s approval, unlike other iterations who are far more adversarial.
Merry Little Batman is the perfect holiday movie for fans of The Dark Knight. The animation will bring a smile to your face, and will especially play well for those who are fans of The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack and Apple & Onion, which inspired the film’s drawing style. I was a bit thrown off by new interpretations of The Joker and Damian Wayne, but I came to appreciate the new look at an old story by the end of the animated comedy.
