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Reviews
Batman: The Animated Series: Sideshow (1994)
Sideshow
In a rare episode that takes place outside of Gotham City, Batman must re-capture Killer Croc, who falls in with a group of sideshow performers. The episode opens with a train, presumably leaving Gotham, Croc is in chains and Bruce is on board in disguise, in case anything goes wrong. I would be impressed if anyone spotted him before he reveals his bat symbol under his clothes, a-la Superman. It was great to see a new environment, the greens and browns of the forest and wilderness. Batman has to face Croc in unfamiliar territory, There is no darkness to hide in here.
When I first watched the episode I thought it would have been good to see Croc debate whether he could stay here amongst people that understood him, rather than go back to being a outcast. Much like Harvey Dent, deliberating between right and wrong but now I see that the truth of Croc's character is that there is no good, he is pure evil. Not once did he think about staying with these people that care for him, he is truly lost. So that is the tragedy of his character. 8/10 a nice diversion from Gotham City with some wonderful environments.
Batman: The Animated Series: A Bullet for Bullock (1995)
A Bullet for Bullock
This episode puts Harvey Bullock front and center in a story that follows him and only him. No villains from the Rogue's Gallery, no Jim Gordon, not even Alfred. Instead, the episode plays like an old film-noir, with the lonely, tough detective looking over his shoulder all the time. He's so desperate, and well aware of his not so stellar record that he has to go to Batman for help, rather than the police force.
I really liked the atmosphere of this episode. The post-Christmas setting really suits it. While much of Gotham is at home with their family in-between Christmas and New Year, Bullock is out in the snow, trying to figure out who is out to get him. The atmosphere is also completed by the music throughout the episode. Old jazz themes between scenes and then a much more lively jazz score during the climatic fight scene (Bullock almost does as well as Batman!)
I think this episode is entertaining throughout and seeing Batman and Bullock working together is a nice change of pace. I give it a score of 8/10.
The Adventures of Tintin: The Broken Ear: Part 1 (1992)
The Broken Ear
The Broken Ear is of my favourite part 1's of all of Tintin's adventures. One of the features that I appreciate is that Tintin doesn't go to the central location straight away, we spend time building the mystery in Tintin's home town. This gives up opportunity to watch Tintin follow the trail and picking up clues whilst not always being in intimidate danger. Tintin is doing his job as a reporter rather than the action following him everywhere
A Great first part to one of my favourite Tintin stories 9/10.
The Adventures of Tintin: Tintin in America (1992)
Tintin in America
Tintin visits 1930's Chicago to write an expose on organised crime. Doing so, some very exaggerated and over the top gangsters take a disliking to the nosy reporter and assign an under-boss named 'Smiles' to 'take care of him'.
I remember watching this one when I was younger thinking that I wish all of the story took place in Chicago. I now understand that some sections of the story must have been cut because this was a one-part episode rather than the usual two-part episodes.
This isn't a bad episode, it's fun to see our characters in some real world history of 20th century America. This episode lacked any sort of mystery or intrigue, something that the best Tintin stories are full of. Which is why I can only give it a 5/10
If somebody wanted to watch a Tintin story, I definitely wouldn't recommend starting with this one
This was my first review of the Tintin series, and I hope to do more. Writing the review I felt like Tintin at the start of this episode... when he was writing and re-writing his headline!
Thank you for reading.