Merry Little Batman (2023)

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I have to admit, when I first came across Merry Little Batman on Amazon Prime and saw it’s wacky artstyle and animation, I wasn’t too impressed and was quick to look the other way. After sitting down and giving it a chance however, it turned out to be one of the most fun and funny films I’ve seen this year, as well as being a Batman story the whole family is sure to enjoy.

via YouTube

Taking place right before Christmas, the film drops viewers into the life of Damian Wayne (Yonas Kibreab), a young boy that’s always causing trouble for his dad Bruce aka Batman (Luke Wilson) as well as their butler Alfred (James Cromwell) thanks to him running and leaping around the mansion pretending to be like his dad’s alter ego of the night.

Bruce just wants to give Damian the one thing he never had, a childhood, and doesn’t want him following in his bat footsteps. But since he knows how important it is to him, he decides to give Damian his own utility belt for Christmas, though filled with first aid kits and non-lethal or dangerous weapons.

Of course Damian isn’t too happy about this, and it doesn’t take long for Bruce to get called away by the Justice League on a mission, leaving Alfred to look after Damian while he’s gone. It also doesn’t take long for some burglars to break into Wayne manor, which Damian views as a perfect test of his abilities. He does pretty good, but the thieves manage to steal the very thing he holds dear, the utility belt his dad made for him, and vows to get it back no matter what.

We also learn that it wasn’t the Justice League that called Bruce away on a mission, but by some of his classic villains led by the Joker (David Hornsby of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia fame) who traps Batman far from the city so they can get revenge on him. It also happens the thieves that stole Damian’s belt work for the Joker, so you know what kind of chaos will ensue once Damian makes his way to Joker’s hideout.

I’ll admit it, director Mike Roth did a great job with Merry Little Batman, which figures once I learned he’s had his hands in a lot of my favorite Cartoon Network shows such as Flapjack and Regular Show. Everything from the comedy, the action which shockingly gets a tad brutal at times, and even the emotional, dramatic parts all come together perfectly here.

It took a little bit for me to warm up to the crazy-looking artwork that’s very reminiscent of those Cartoon Network classics from nearly two decades ago, but I found myself really digging it once I got over the hump. The animation is simple but effective which is always a plus, but there’s a part in the film I won’t spoil where the art and animation changes dramatically to a woodcarving effect that’s really well done and was a nice surprise to behold.

The cast is also really good here as Luke Wilson is perfect as the overprotective dad, but can still be firm when he punishes Damian and takes on villains as Batman (with a sick beard that does look pretty awesome). Yonas Kibreab nails the overzealous nature of Damian to a tee and is instantly loveable, while David Hornsby gives a cool, unique take on the Joker that’s completely his own.

Amazon Prime did a great job with releasing Merry Little Batman just in time for the holidays as it’s more fun than it should be. I’m sure it’ll be enjoyed anytime of the year though thanks to a great cast, fun artwork and animation, and a good story. I can’t wait to see if they’ll team with DC Comics again soon to create something cool and unexpected like this as it’s welcomed and appreciated.