DC and Warner Bros. have apparently had enough success with their original animated movie line, of which the most recent release is Justice League: Throne of Atlantis, that they’ve put out 22 of them. However, these films are distinctly Not for Kids, since they’re rated PG-13 and feature amounts of violence (and more recently, sexual insinuations) that make that rating accurate.
Yet kids like DC superheroes, and so do their merchandising partners. JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time, for example, is another original direct-to-DVD cartoon movie that was originally a Target exclusive because they wanted something more kid-friendly to sell next to their toy lines.
Now Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has announced that Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts will debut on May 12. It’s another all-new original animated movie, but it’s pitched as “for the entire family” and “specifically for our younger fans” and featuring “many iconic DC Comics characters”. To emphasize the kid-friendliness, the Blu-ray and DVD will include a Firebat figurine. No special features were mentioned beyond the on-pack toy. Here’s the plot description:
Another storm is brewing in Gotham, and it’s not only raining cats and dogs but evil Cyber Animals! When the city is plagued by a slew of bizarre crimes committed by an animal-inspired villain squad known as the Animilitia — comprised of Silverback, Cheetah, Killer Croc, and Man-Bat — Batman must swing into action to investigate. These animalistic villains bring new and exciting challenges for the hero of Gotham, and Batman must find a way to bring these criminal creatures to a halt! But could the Animilitia be working for powerful businessman Oswald Cobblepot a.k.a. The Penguin? How does The Penguin’s new invention of robotic Cyber Animals fit into the mix? In the end, it’ll [take?] the combined forces of Batman, Flash, Green Arrow, Nightwing, and Red Robin to combat these Animal Instincts.
And here’s the trailer:
Batman is cute, but the Penguin looks a lot like a mummy. And of course, all these cyber animals make for great toy opportunities.
