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'''''Batman: Assault on Arkham''''' is a 2014 [[direct-to-video]] animated [[superhero film]] that is the 21st film of the [[DC Universe Animated Original Movies]].<ref name="Gallagher"/> The film was directed by [[Jay Oliva]] and [[Ethan Spaulding]], produced by James Tucker, and written by Heath Corson.<ref name="CastCBR"/> It was first screened at the 2014 [[San Diego Comic-Con]] on July 25, 2014, and it was released digitally on July 29 and on physical media on August 12.<ref name="ComicConScreening"/>
'''''Batman: Assault on Arkham''''' is a 2014 [[direct-to-video]] animated [[superhero film]] that is the 21st film of the [[DC Universe Animated Original Movies]].<ref name="Gallagher"/> Based on the ''[[Batman: Arkham]]'' video game franchise, the film was directed by [[Jay Oliva]] and [[Ethan Spaulding]], produced by James Tucker, and written by Heath Corson.<ref name="CastCBR"/> It was first screened at the 2014 [[San Diego Comic-Con]] on July 25, 2014, and it was released digitally on July 29 and on physical media on August 12.<ref name="ComicConScreening"/>


The film is set in the universe of the ''[[Batman: Arkham]]'' [[List of video game franchises|video game franchise]], taking place after ''[[Batman: Arkham Origins|Arkham Origins]]'',<ref name="GIAssaultonArkham"/> and two years before ''[[Batman: Arkham Asylum|Arkham Asylum]]'' according to Oliva. James Tucker states that the film was intended to bridge the gap between ''Arkham Origins'' and ''Arkham Asylum''.<ref name="NewFeaturetteAssaultonArkham" /> The story focuses primarily on the [[Suicide Squad]], particularly [[Batman]] villains [[Deadshot]] and [[Harley Quinn]] with Batman himself in a supporting role. In the film, the [[Suicide Squad]], consisting of six criminals, are dispatched by [[Amanda Waller]] to break into [[Arkham Asylum]], where they must contend with the asylum's inmates and Batman as they attempt to complete their mission to reclaim information stolen by the [[Riddler]].
The story focuses primarily on the [[Suicide Squad]], particularly [[Batman]] villains [[Deadshot]] and [[Harley Quinn]] with Batman himself in a supporting role. In the film, the [[Suicide Squad]], consisting of six criminals, are dispatched by [[Amanda Waller]] to break into [[Arkham Asylum]], where they must contend with the asylum's inmates and Batman as they attempt to complete their mission to reclaim information stolen by the [[Riddler]].


==Plot==
==Plot==
[[Batman]] rescues the [[Riddler]] from a black ops assassination ordered by [[A.R.G.U.S.]]'s director [[Amanda Waller]] and returns him to [[Arkham Asylum]]. In response, Waller captures wanted super-criminals [[Black Spider]], [[Captain Boomerang]], [[Deadshot]], [[Harley Quinn]], [[KGBeast]], [[Killer Frost]], and [[King Shark]], recruits them into the [[Suicide Squad]] to break into Arkham and recover a [[Flash memory|thumbdrive]] in Riddler's cane containing sensitive knowledge about the squad, and implants nano-bombs in their necks to make them comply. After killing KGBeast for attempting to leave, Waller sends the remaining squad members to [[Gotham City]] to receive equipment from the [[Penguin (character)|Penguin]]. While staying overnight at the [[Iceberg Lounge]], Harley and Deadshot have a one-night stand. The next day, she attracts Batman's attention amidst his search for a [[dirty bomb]] the [[Joker (character)|Joker]] hid in Gotham in order to send herself to Arkham. As she is taken to her cell, an incarcerated Joker taunts Harley, who steals a guard's gun and shoots his cell in a rage.
[[Batman]] rescues the [[Riddler]] from a black ops assassination ordered by [[A.R.G.U.S.]]'s director [[Amanda Waller]] and returns him to [[Arkham Asylum]]. In response, Waller captures wanted super-criminals [[Black Spider]], [[Captain Boomerang]], [[Deadshot]], [[Harley Quinn]], [[KGBeast]], [[Killer Frost]], and [[King Shark]], recruits them into the [[Suicide Squad]] to break into Arkham and recover a [[Flash memory|thumbdrive]] in Riddler's cane containing sensitive knowledge about the squad, and implants nano-bombs in their necks to make them comply. After killing KGBeast for attempting to leave, Waller sends the remaining squad members to [[Gotham City]] to receive equipment from the [[Penguin (character)|Penguin]]. While staying overnight at the [[Iceberg Lounge]], Harley and Deadshot have a one-night stand. The next day, Harley attracts Batman's attention amidst his search for a [[dirty bomb]] the [[Joker (character)|Joker]] hid in Gotham in order to send herself to Arkham. As she is taken to her cell, an incarcerated Joker taunts Harley, who steals a guard's gun and shoots his cell in a rage.


Meanwhile, the other squad members infiltrate Arkham, looping the previous day's security footage to distract Batman and Waller. The group locates the Riddler's cane and Harley's mallet, but discover the former is empty. Realizing their ruse, Batman subdues the squad before assuming Spider's suit and place in their ranks. Using the chaos, Frost breaks into the Riddler's cell, having been secretly ordered by Waller to kill him. However, he reveals he is a former member of the squad who knows how to disarm the nano-bombs. She takes him to the others, who agree to let him disarm their bombs in exchange for helping him escape. Concurrently, the Joker notices a structural weakness Harley made during her attempt on his life, short-circuits the cell door, and escapes.
Meanwhile, the other squad members infiltrate Arkham, looping the previous day's security footage to distract Batman and Waller. The group locates the Riddler's cane and Harley's mallet, but discover the former is empty. Realizing their ruse, Batman subdues the squad before assuming Spider's suit and place in their ranks. Using the chaos, Frost breaks into the Riddler's cell, having been secretly ordered by Waller to kill him. However, he reveals he is a former member of the squad who knows how to disarm the nano-bombs. She takes him to the others, who agree to let him disarm their bombs in exchange for helping him escape. Concurrently, the Joker notices a structural weakness Harley made during her attempt on his life, short-circuits the cell door, and escapes.
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The Riddler uses an [[electroshock]] machine to fry the squad's bombs as Waller calls for an update. Realizing their treachery, she detonates the bombs, but only succeeds in killing Shark, whose thick skin made him immune to the electricity, and Spider. Batman reveals himself and confronts the squad, but they are attacked by the Joker, who intends to kill Deadshot for having sex with Harley, though she convinces the former to forgive her. While Batman deduces from Deadshot the Joker hid his bomb in Harley's mallet, the Joker frees the inmates to cover his escape. Frost is killed and Boomerang is left behind in the ensuing breakout while Deadshot escapes in a helicopter, only to learn the Joker and Harley stowed away while Batman gives chase. Deadshot and the Joker fight, which makes the helicopter crash into a building. Deadshot pins the Joker to the helicopter before pushing it off onto the streets below, while Batman knocks out Harley and disarms the bomb.
The Riddler uses an [[electroshock]] machine to fry the squad's bombs as Waller calls for an update. Realizing their treachery, she detonates the bombs, but only succeeds in killing Shark, whose thick skin made him immune to the electricity, and Spider. Batman reveals himself and confronts the squad, but they are attacked by the Joker, who intends to kill Deadshot for having sex with Harley, though she convinces the former to forgive her. While Batman deduces from Deadshot the Joker hid his bomb in Harley's mallet, the Joker frees the inmates to cover his escape. Frost is killed and Boomerang is left behind in the ensuing breakout while Deadshot escapes in a helicopter, only to learn the Joker and Harley stowed away while Batman gives chase. Deadshot and the Joker fight, which makes the helicopter crash into a building. Deadshot pins the Joker to the helicopter before pushing it off onto the streets below, while Batman knocks out Harley and disarms the bomb.


In the aftermath, Batman confronts Waller for allowing the Riddler to escape and warns her to discontinue the [[Task Force X]] program. She dismisses him, taunting him about how the Joker's body was never found in the helicopter crash. Once Batman leaves, Waller realizes Deadshot, reunited with his daughter, is targeting her with a scoped rifle from afar.
In the aftermath, Batman confronts Waller for allowing the Riddler to escape and warns her to discontinue the [[Task Force X]] program. She dismisses him, taunting him about how the Joker's body was not found in the helicopter wreckage. Once Batman leaves, Waller realizes Deadshot, reunited with his daughter, is targeting her with a scoped rifle from afar.


==Voice cast==
==Voice cast==
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==Production==
==Production==
===Development===
===Development===
In 2009, [[video game developer]] [[Rocksteady Studios]] launched the beginning of their [[Batman: Arkham]] series with [[Batman: Arkham Asylum]].<ref name="AsylumGOTY Review" /> With a total of four main entries, the series reached critical acclaim and success.<ref name="ArkhamRevitalized" /> Near the end of development of [[Batman: Arkham Origins]], [[Warner Bros. Animation]] approached Heath Corson to write a story focusing on the Suicide Squad set within the Batman Arkhamverse.<ref name="HeathCorsonInterview" /> [[Jay Oliva]] and [[Ethan Spaulding]] were brought in to director and James Tucker to produce<ref name="CastCBR"/> Upon reading the script, Oliva stated that "...it was very different than what I was used to, because I started prepping for this film, I thought to myself 'Well you know what, if I directed this a little differently [sic] like what if I directed this like a [[Guy Ritchie]] film.'" The film would be directed with a similar style to a [[Poliziotteschi]] [[Organized crime in Italy|Italian mob]] film. For the team, Corson knew that he wanted Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, and Harley Quinn, because she knew the in-and-outs of Arkham. He described the relationship between Deadshot and Boomerang as "...[[Ocean's Eleven]], but at every turn [[Brad Pitt]] tried to kill [[George Clooney]]."<ref name="NewFeaturetteAssaultonArkham" />
In 2009, [[video game developer]] [[Rocksteady Studios]] launched the beginning of their ''[[Batman: Arkham]]'' series with ''[[Batman: Arkham Asylum]]''.<ref name="AsylumGOTY Review" /> With a total of four main entries, the series reached critical acclaim and success.<ref name="ArkhamRevitalized" /> Near the end of development of ''[[Batman: Arkham Origins]]'', [[Warner Bros. Animation]] approached Heath Corson to write a story focusing on the Suicide Squad set within the Batman Arkhamverse.<ref name="HeathCorsonInterview" /> [[Jay Oliva]] and [[Ethan Spaulding]] were brought in to director and James Tucker to produce<ref name="CastCBR"/> Upon reading the script, Oliva stated that "...it was very different than what I was used to, because I started prepping for this film, I thought to myself 'Well you know what, if I directed this a little differently [sic] like what if I directed this like a [[Guy Ritchie]] film.'" The film would be directed with a similar style to a [[Poliziotteschi]] [[Organized crime in Italy|Italian mob]] film. For the team, Corson knew that he wanted Deadshot, Captain Boomerang and Harley Quinn, because she knew the in-and-outs of Arkham. He described the relationship between Deadshot and Boomerang as "...''[[Ocean's Eleven]]'', but at every turn [[Brad Pitt]] tried to kill [[George Clooney]]."<ref name="NewFeaturetteAssaultonArkham" />


===Pre-production===
===Pre-production===
In the casting process, some actors were taken from their Batman: Arkham roles while others were not. [[Kevin Conroy]], the voice actor of Batman in ''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]'', most of the Batman: Arkham games, and many other DC properties was brought on to voice the character. [[Neal McDonough]] was brought on the play Deadshot<ref name="NewFeaturetteAssaultonArkham" /> instead of [[Chris Cox (voice actor)|Chris Cox]] who voices Deadshot in the Arkham games,<ref name="City" /><ref name="Origins" /><ref name="Origins Blackgate" /> who instead voices Commissioner Jim Gordon. [[Hynden Walch]] reprises her role as Harley Quinn from [[The Batman (TV series)|''The Batman'']].<ref name="HarleyVA"/> [[Arleen Sorkin]], who played Harley Quinn in ''[[Batman: Arkham Asylum]]'',<ref name="Asylum" /> nor [[Tara Strong]] who voiced the character in ''[[Batman: Arkham City]]'',<ref name="City" /> were brought in for the film. [[Matthew Gray Gubler]] voices the Riddler<ref name="CastCBR"/> instead of [[Wally Wingert]] from the series<ref name="WingertRiddler" /> and [[Troy Baker]] voices the Joker<ref name="ScreenrantCast" /> instead of [[Mark Hamill]].<ref name="ReturntotheJoker" /> [[CCH Pounder]] reprises her role as Amanda Waller from ''[[Batman: Arkham Origins]]'' and [[Martin Jarvis (actor)|Martin Jarvis]] reprised his role as Alfred Pennyworth from the Arkhamverse. [[Greg Ellis (actor)|Greg Ellis]] was brought in to voice Captain Boomerang, [[Giancarlo Esposito]] to voice Black Spider,<ref name="CastCBR"/> [[John DiMaggio]] as King Shark, and [[Jennifer Hale]] as Killer Frost. [[Nolan North]] reprises his role as the Penguin from the Arkham games, and additionally voices KGBeast.<ref name="KingShark&KillerFrostVATweet"/> Christian Lanz voices Scarecrow, replacing [[Dino Andrade]] from ''Arkham Asylum'',<ref name="Asylum" /> as well as Victor Zsasz, replacing [[Danny Jacobs (actor)|Danny Jacobs]] from ''Arkham Asylum'' and ''City''.<ref name="City" />
In the casting process, some actors were taken from their ''Batman: Arkham'' roles while others were not. [[Kevin Conroy]], the voice actor of Batman in ''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]'', most of the ''Batman: Arkham'' games, and many other DC properties was brought on to voice the character. [[Neal McDonough]] was brought on the play Deadshot<ref name="NewFeaturetteAssaultonArkham" /> instead of [[Chris Cox (voice actor)|Chris Cox]] who voices Deadshot in the ''Arkham'' games,<ref name="City" /><ref name="Origins" /><ref name="Origins Blackgate" /> who instead voices Commissioner Jim Gordon. [[Hynden Walch]] reprises her role as Harley Quinn from [[The Batman (TV series)|''The Batman'']].<ref name="HarleyVA"/> [[Arleen Sorkin]], who played Harley Quinn in ''[[Batman: Arkham Asylum]]'',<ref name="Asylum" /> nor [[Tara Strong]] who voiced the character in ''[[Batman: Arkham City]]'',<ref name="City" /> were brought in for the film. [[Matthew Gray Gubler]] voices the Riddler<ref name="CastCBR"/> instead of [[Wally Wingert]] from the series<ref name="WingertRiddler" /> and [[Troy Baker]] voices the Joker<ref name="ScreenrantCast" /> instead of [[Mark Hamill]].<ref name="ReturntotheJoker" /> [[CCH Pounder]] reprises her role as Amanda Waller from ''[[Batman: Arkham Origins]]'' and [[Martin Jarvis (actor)|Martin Jarvis]] reprised his role as Alfred Pennyworth from the Arkhamverse. [[Greg Ellis (actor)|Greg Ellis]] was brought in to voice Captain Boomerang, [[Giancarlo Esposito]] to voice Black Spider,<ref name="CastCBR"/> [[John DiMaggio]] as King Shark, and [[Jennifer Hale]] as Killer Frost. [[Nolan North]] reprises his role as the Penguin from the ''Arkham'' games, and additionally voices KGBeast.<ref name="KingShark&KillerFrostVATweet"/> Christian Lanz voices Scarecrow, replacing [[Dino Andrade]] from ''Arkham Asylum'',<ref name="Asylum" /> as well as Victor Zsasz, replacing [[Danny Jacobs (actor)|Danny Jacobs]] from ''Arkham Asylum'' and ''City''.<ref name="City" />


For the soundtrack, [[Robert J. Kral]] was brought in to compose.<ref name="Watchtower" /> In a press release, Oliva said "We usually do the operatic epic music that we've all become accustomed to in the live action and animated comic book films for the last twenty five years.... James Tucker, my producer, was very supportive of the idea of doing a more contemporary take on the superhero music and when Rob sent us his first pass of the score, we were tremendously pleased."<ref name="PressReleaseDCAR" />
For the soundtrack, [[Robert J. Kral]] was brought in to compose.<ref name="Watchtower" /> In a press release, Oliva said "We usually do the operatic epic music that we've all become accustomed to in the live action and animated comic book films for the last twenty five years.... James Tucker, my producer, was very supportive of the idea of doing a more contemporary take on the superhero music and when Rob sent us his first pass of the score, we were tremendously pleased."<ref name="PressReleaseDCAR" />
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==Reception==
==Reception==

===Critical reception===
===Critical reception===
⚫
The film has an aggregated score of {{RT data|score}} on [[Rotten Tomatoes]] based on {{RT data|count|spell=y}} reviews.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/batman_assault_on_arkham|title=Batman: Assault on Arkham|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]]|access-date={{RT data|access date}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802044222/http://www.rottentomatoes.com:80/m/batman_assault_on_arkham/|archive-date=August 2, 2014|url-status=live}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref>

⚫
The film has a aggregated score of {{RT data|score}} on [[Rotten Tomatoes]] based on {{RT data|count|spell=y}} reviews.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/batman_assault_on_arkham|title=Batman: Assault on Arkham|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]]|access-date={{RT data|access date}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802044222/http://www.rottentomatoes.com:80/m/batman_assault_on_arkham/|archive-date=August 2, 2014|url-status=live}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref>


Scott Mendelson of ''[[Forbes]]'' roundly praised ''Assault on Arkham'' for its action, art style, humor, voices, and characters, calling it one of the best films of DC's direct-to-video lineup. He described it as a "gleefully immoral" heist film which, having "no real [plot] arc to speak of", relies on its violent action and clever character dynamics within the Suicide Squad to carry it. Due to its villainous protagonists, dark comedy, and sexual content, Mendelson considers the production of ''Assault on Arkham'' an experimental decision by DC, and a successful experiment as it tells a style of comic book story that would never get approval as a live-action project.<ref name="Mendelson" />
Scott Mendelson of ''[[Forbes]]'' roundly praised ''Assault on Arkham'' for its action, art style, humor, voices, and characters, calling it one of the best films of DC's direct-to-video lineup. He described it as a "gleefully immoral" heist film which, having "no real [plot] arc to speak of", relies on its violent action and clever character dynamics within the Suicide Squad to carry it. Due to its villainous protagonists, dark comedy, and sexual content, Mendelson considers the production of ''Assault on Arkham'' an experimental decision by DC, and a successful experiment as it tells a style of comic book story that would never get approval as a live-action project.<ref name="Mendelson" />
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===Sales===
===Sales===

The film earned $5,820,248 in domestic home video sales.<ref>[http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Batman-Assault-on-Arkham#tab=summary "Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014) The Numbers listing"]. [[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]]. Accessed January 4, 2020.</ref>
The film earned $5,820,248 in domestic home video sales.<ref>[http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Batman-Assault-on-Arkham#tab=summary "Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014) The Numbers listing"]. [[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]]. Accessed January 4, 2020.</ref>


== ''Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League'' (2024) ==
== Continuity with the video game series ==
''Assault on Arkham'' was announced as being set in the universe of the ''[[Batman: Arkham]]'' [[List of video game franchises|video game franchise]], taking place after ''[[Batman: Arkham Origins|Arkham Origins]]'',<ref name="GIAssaultonArkham"/> and two years before ''[[Batman: Arkham Asylum|Arkham Asylum]]'' according to Jay Oliva. James Tucker stated that the film was intended to bridge the gap between ''Arkham Origins'' and ''Arkham Asylum''.<ref name="NewFeaturetteAssaultonArkham" /> However, the 2024 video game ''[[Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League]]'', which takes place after ''[[Batman: Arkham Knight|Arkham Knight]]'', directly conflicts with the continuity elements of the film. In particular, ''Kill the Justice League'' features the appearance of King Shark, who sports a different design and personality. The main characters also do not acknowledge having worked together prior to the events of the game, with three of them (Harley Quinn, King Shark, Captain Boomerang) featured in this film, whereas Deadshot is re-established as an African-American man, while the Caucasian version of Deadshot, who is featured in both the film and previous ''Arkham'' games, is alluded to be a multiversal variant.
{{main|Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League}} {{Relevance|date=December 2023}}
A [[Suicide Squad]] game set in the Arkhamverse was first considered a possibility following the endings of ''Batman: Arkham Origins'' and ''Batman: Arkham Origins: Blackgate'', featuring post-credits scenes with [[Amanda Waller]] (voiced by Pounder) recruiting various supervillains. In the years since ''[[Batman: Arkham Knight]]'' released, there had been rumors suggesting the studio has been working on a Suicide Squad game, but no official announcement was made from the development team or publisher.<ref name="SSIGN" /> In December 2016, [[Jason Schreier]] from ''[[Kotaku]]'' revealed that the title had been cancelled, and WB Games Montreal had shifted their focus to the next ''Batman'' game (later revealed to be ''[[Gotham Knights (video game)|Gotham Knights]]''.<ref name="SSCancelled" />) As a result, Rocksteady Studios took over as the main developer of the game. While concept art from cancelled versions of the game surfaced,<ref name="CancelledConc" /> the finished game's official artwork was revealed by Rocksteady on August 7, 2020.<ref name="Tassi" /> The first trailer for the game premiered at [[DC FanDome]]. As the game is set in the "Arkhamverse", plot threads established in the ''Batman: Arkham'' series would continue in ''Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League''.<ref name="Durnbush" /> The game will feature four playable characters: Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, and King Shark, who are tasked by Amanda Waller with defeating [[Brainiac (character)|Brainiac]] when he attacks [[Metropolis (comics)|Metropolis]] and enslaves the [[Justice League]] with his mind-controlling technology.<ref name="SSTrailer" /> While Harley Quinn is still left alive by the end of ''Arkham Knight'',<ref name="Knight" /> and Deadshot by the end of ''Arkham City'',<ref name="City" /> King Shark was murdered in ''Assault on Arkham'' and Captain Boomerang was shot in the head by Deadshot in the "Who Wants To Kill A Billionaire?" story of the ''Batman: Arkham Knight'' [[Batman: Arkham#Batman: Arkham Knight tie-ins|tie-in]] comic.<ref name="AK8" /> Thus, the upcoming game likely retcons the death of these two characters by the decanonization the comic and the animated film. Additionally, in the trailer Deadshot appears as [[Black people|black]] instead of having been previously depicted as [[White people|white]].<ref name="SSTrailer" /> Rocksteady released a tweet, featuring an image of the game's Deadshot, with the caption "Fool had it coming. There's only one Deadshot." The tweet seems to suggest that the Deadshot depicted in the previous games had been an imposter, and that the one set to feature in ''Suicide Squad'' is in fact, the real Floyd Lawton.<ref name="Deadshot tweet" /> Amanda Waller is also depicted as smaller and less heavy than her version in ''Assault on Arkham''.


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
{{Reflist|30em|refs=

<ref name="Gallagher">{{cite web|first=Brian |last=Gallagher |url=http://www.movieweb.com/comic-con/2013/news/comic-con-2013-son-of-the-batman-and-batman-assault-on-arkham-announced-for-2014 |title=COMIC-CON 2013: 'Son of the Batman' and 'Batman: Assault on Arkham' Announced for 2014 |publisher=[[MovieWeb]] |date=July 20, 2013 |access-date=May 5, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722145448/http://www.movieweb.com/comic-con/2013/news/comic-con-2013-son-of-the-batman-and-batman-assault-on-arkham-announced-for-2014 |archive-date=July 22, 2013 }}</ref>
<ref name="Gallagher">{{cite web|first=Brian |last=Gallagher |url=http://www.movieweb.com/comic-con/2013/news/comic-con-2013-son-of-the-batman-and-batman-assault-on-arkham-announced-for-2014 |title=COMIC-CON 2013: 'Son of the Batman' and 'Batman: Assault on Arkham' Announced for 2014 |publisher=[[MovieWeb]] |date=July 20, 2013 |access-date=May 5, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722145448/http://www.movieweb.com/comic-con/2013/news/comic-con-2013-son-of-the-batman-and-batman-assault-on-arkham-announced-for-2014 |archive-date=July 22, 2013 }}</ref>


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<ref name="Asylum">{{cite video game |title=[[Batman: Arkham Asylum]]|developer=[[Rocksteady Studios]] |publisher=[[Eidos Interactive]] |date=August 25, 2009}}</ref>
<ref name="Asylum">{{cite video game |title=[[Batman: Arkham Asylum]]|developer=[[Rocksteady Studios]] |publisher=[[Eidos Interactive]] |date=August 25, 2009}}</ref>

<ref name="Knight">{{cite video game |title=[[Batman: Arkham Knight]]|developer=[[Rocksteady Studios]] |publisher=[[Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment]] |date=June 23, 2015}}</ref>


<ref name="WingertRiddler">{{cite news |last=Bahr |first=Jeff |date=May 23, 2013 |title=
<ref name="WingertRiddler">{{cite news |last=Bahr |first=Jeff |date=May 23, 2013 |title=
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<ref name="PressReleaseDCAR">{{cite web|url=https://dcanimated.com/2014/08/press-details-for-upcoming-batman-assault-on-arkham-soundtrack-release/ |title=Press Details For Upcoming "Batman: Assault On Arkham" Soundtrack Release |last=Harvey |first=James |publisher=The No. 1 DC Animation Resource |date=n.d. |access-date=January 5, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=September 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920232424/https://dcanimated.com/2014/08/press-details-for-upcoming-batman-assault-on-arkham-soundtrack-release/ }}</ref>
<ref name="PressReleaseDCAR">{{cite web|url=https://dcanimated.com/2014/08/press-details-for-upcoming-batman-assault-on-arkham-soundtrack-release/ |title=Press Details For Upcoming "Batman: Assault On Arkham" Soundtrack Release |last=Harvey |first=James |publisher=The No. 1 DC Animation Resource |date=n.d. |access-date=January 5, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=September 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920232424/https://dcanimated.com/2014/08/press-details-for-upcoming-batman-assault-on-arkham-soundtrack-release/ }}</ref>

<ref name="AK8">{{ Cite comic| writer=[[Peter Tomasi|Tomasi, Peter]]| penciller=Guara, Ig | coinkers=Ferreira, Julio; Friend, Richard | colorist=Dalhouse, Andrew; Rauch, John | letterer=Lanham, Travis
| editor=Antone, Alex; Holzherr, Brittany | story=Who Wants To Kill A Billionaire? Part 2 of 2 | title=[[Batman: Arkham#Batman: Arkham Knight tie-ins|Batman: Arkham Knight]] | volume=1| issue=8| date=November 2015 | publisher=[[DC Comics]]| location=[[Burbank, California]]| page=9| panel=5 }}</ref>
<ref name="SSIGN">{{Citation|title=Rocksteady Announces Suicide Squad Game – IGN|date=August 7, 2020 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/suicide-squad-game-reveal-rocksteady|language=en|access-date=2020-08-07}}</ref>
<ref name="SSCancelled">{{cite web|last=Schreier|first=Jason|author-link=Jason Schreier|date=December 19, 2016|title=Sources: WB Montreal Cancels Unannounced Suicide Squad Game, Shifts To Batman|url=https://kotaku.com/sources-wb-montreal-cancels-unannounced-suicide-squad-|access-date=August 23, 2020|work=[[Kotaku]]}}</ref>
<ref name="CancelledConc">{{Cite web|title=Concept art from WB Montreal's canceled Suicide Squad game|url=https://twitter.com/harleyshub/status/1462761109056749573|access-date=2022-02-12|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref>
<ref name="Tassi">{{Cite web|last=Tassi|first=Paul|title=Rocksteady Reveals 'Suicide Squad,' Its First Post-Arkham DC Game, Raising Questions|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2020/08/07/rocksteady-reveals-suicide-squad-its-first-post-arkham-dc-game-raising-questions/|access-date=2020-08-07|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref>
<ref name="Durnbush">{{cite web|last=Durnbush|first=Jonathon|date=August 23, 2020|title=Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Set in Batman: Arkham Universe|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/suicide-squad-kill-the-justice-league-in-batman-arkham-universe|access-date=August 23, 2020|work=[[IGN]]}}</ref>
<ref name="SSTrailer">{{cite web|last=Tinner|first=Phillip|date=August 23, 2020|title=Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Trailer Reveals DC Heroes as Villains|url=https://screenrant.com/suicide-squad-kill-justice-league-game-trailer-reveal-release|access-date=August 23, 2020|work=[[Screen Rant]]}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
<ref name="Deadshot tweet">{{Cite tweet |user=suicidesquadRS |number=1336310105042726914 |title='Fool had it coming. There's only one Deadshot'}}</ref>

}}
}}


Latest revision as of 08:44, 3 April 2024

Batman: Assault on Arkham
Home video re-release cover art (2016)
Directed by
Written byHeath Corson
Based onCharacters appearing in comic books published
by DC Entertainment
Produced byJames Tucker
Starring
Edited byChristopher D. Lozinski
Music byRobert J. Kral
Production
companies
Distributed byWarner Home Video
Release dates
  • July 25, 2014 (2014-07-25) (San Diego)
  • July 29, 2014 (2014-07-29) (Digital)
  • August 12, 2014 (2014-08-12) (Physical)
Running time
76 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Batman: Assault on Arkham is a 2014 direct-to-video animated superhero film that is the 21st film of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies.[1] Based on the Batman: Arkham video game franchise, the film was directed by Jay Oliva and Ethan Spaulding, produced by James Tucker, and written by Heath Corson.[2] It was first screened at the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con on July 25, 2014, and it was released digitally on July 29 and on physical media on August 12.[3]

The story focuses primarily on the Suicide Squad, particularly Batman villains Deadshot and Harley Quinn with Batman himself in a supporting role. In the film, the Suicide Squad, consisting of six criminals, are dispatched by Amanda Waller to break into Arkham Asylum, where they must contend with the asylum's inmates and Batman as they attempt to complete their mission to reclaim information stolen by the Riddler.

Plot[edit]

Batman rescues the Riddler from a black ops assassination ordered by A.R.G.U.S.'s director Amanda Waller and returns him to Arkham Asylum. In response, Waller captures wanted super-criminals Black Spider, Captain Boomerang, Deadshot, Harley Quinn, KGBeast, Killer Frost, and King Shark, recruits them into the Suicide Squad to break into Arkham and recover a thumbdrive in Riddler's cane containing sensitive knowledge about the squad, and implants nano-bombs in their necks to make them comply. After killing KGBeast for attempting to leave, Waller sends the remaining squad members to Gotham City to receive equipment from the Penguin. While staying overnight at the Iceberg Lounge, Harley and Deadshot have a one-night stand. The next day, Harley attracts Batman's attention amidst his search for a dirty bomb the Joker hid in Gotham in order to send herself to Arkham. As she is taken to her cell, an incarcerated Joker taunts Harley, who steals a guard's gun and shoots his cell in a rage.

Meanwhile, the other squad members infiltrate Arkham, looping the previous day's security footage to distract Batman and Waller. The group locates the Riddler's cane and Harley's mallet, but discover the former is empty. Realizing their ruse, Batman subdues the squad before assuming Spider's suit and place in their ranks. Using the chaos, Frost breaks into the Riddler's cell, having been secretly ordered by Waller to kill him. However, he reveals he is a former member of the squad who knows how to disarm the nano-bombs. She takes him to the others, who agree to let him disarm their bombs in exchange for helping him escape. Concurrently, the Joker notices a structural weakness Harley made during her attempt on his life, short-circuits the cell door, and escapes.

The Riddler uses an electroshock machine to fry the squad's bombs as Waller calls for an update. Realizing their treachery, she detonates the bombs, but only succeeds in killing Shark, whose thick skin made him immune to the electricity, and Spider. Batman reveals himself and confronts the squad, but they are attacked by the Joker, who intends to kill Deadshot for having sex with Harley, though she convinces the former to forgive her. While Batman deduces from Deadshot the Joker hid his bomb in Harley's mallet, the Joker frees the inmates to cover his escape. Frost is killed and Boomerang is left behind in the ensuing breakout while Deadshot escapes in a helicopter, only to learn the Joker and Harley stowed away while Batman gives chase. Deadshot and the Joker fight, which makes the helicopter crash into a building. Deadshot pins the Joker to the helicopter before pushing it off onto the streets below, while Batman knocks out Harley and disarms the bomb.

In the aftermath, Batman confronts Waller for allowing the Riddler to escape and warns her to discontinue the Task Force X program. She dismisses him, taunting him about how the Joker's body was not found in the helicopter wreckage. Once Batman leaves, Waller realizes Deadshot, reunited with his daughter, is targeting her with a scoped rifle from afar.

Voice cast[edit]

Additionally, Bane, Two-Face, and Poison Ivy make non-speaking cameo appearances as Arkham Asylum inmates.

Production[edit]

Development[edit]

In 2009, video game developer Rocksteady Studios launched the beginning of their Batman: Arkham series with Batman: Arkham Asylum.[8] With a total of four main entries, the series reached critical acclaim and success.[9] Near the end of development of Batman: Arkham Origins, Warner Bros. Animation approached Heath Corson to write a story focusing on the Suicide Squad set within the Batman Arkhamverse.[10] Jay Oliva and Ethan Spaulding were brought in to director and James Tucker to produce[2] Upon reading the script, Oliva stated that "...it was very different than what I was used to, because I started prepping for this film, I thought to myself 'Well you know what, if I directed this a little differently [sic] like what if I directed this like a Guy Ritchie film.'" The film would be directed with a similar style to a Poliziotteschi Italian mob film. For the team, Corson knew that he wanted Deadshot, Captain Boomerang and Harley Quinn, because she knew the in-and-outs of Arkham. He described the relationship between Deadshot and Boomerang as "...Ocean's Eleven, but at every turn Brad Pitt tried to kill George Clooney."[11]

Pre-production[edit]

In the casting process, some actors were taken from their Batman: Arkham roles while others were not. Kevin Conroy, the voice actor of Batman in Batman: The Animated Series, most of the Batman: Arkham games, and many other DC properties was brought on to voice the character. Neal McDonough was brought on the play Deadshot[11] instead of Chris Cox who voices Deadshot in the Arkham games,[12][13][14] who instead voices Commissioner Jim Gordon. Hynden Walch reprises her role as Harley Quinn from The Batman.[5] Arleen Sorkin, who played Harley Quinn in Batman: Arkham Asylum,[15] nor Tara Strong who voiced the character in Batman: Arkham City,[12] were brought in for the film. Matthew Gray Gubler voices the Riddler[2] instead of Wally Wingert from the series[16] and Troy Baker voices the Joker[4] instead of Mark Hamill.[17] CCH Pounder reprises her role as Amanda Waller from Batman: Arkham Origins and Martin Jarvis reprised his role as Alfred Pennyworth from the Arkhamverse. Greg Ellis was brought in to voice Captain Boomerang, Giancarlo Esposito to voice Black Spider,[2] John DiMaggio as King Shark, and Jennifer Hale as Killer Frost. Nolan North reprises his role as the Penguin from the Arkham games, and additionally voices KGBeast.[6] Christian Lanz voices Scarecrow, replacing Dino Andrade from Arkham Asylum,[15] as well as Victor Zsasz, replacing Danny Jacobs from Arkham Asylum and City.[12]

For the soundtrack, Robert J. Kral was brought in to compose.[18] In a press release, Oliva said "We usually do the operatic epic music that we've all become accustomed to in the live action and animated comic book films for the last twenty five years.... James Tucker, my producer, was very supportive of the idea of doing a more contemporary take on the superhero music and when Rob sent us his first pass of the score, we were tremendously pleased."[19]

Production[edit]

When handling the look of Arkham Asylum, the artists mainly took inspiration from the way it was depicted inBatman: Arkham Asylum, while also aiming to increase the scary factor the game held. The team also aimed to add a foreboding and haunting nature to the depiction and sounds. The voice actors were recorded at Salami Studios in North Hollywood, California.[11]

Soundtrack[edit]

Batman: Assault on Arkham (Music from the DC Universe Movie)
Film score by
Robert J. Kral
ReleasedJuly 30, 2014
Length51:21
LabelWaterTower Music

The soundtrack to Batman: Assault on Arkham was released on July 30, 2014, with music composed by Robert J. Kral.[18]

Track list[edit]

Batman: Assault on Arkham (Music from the DC Universe Movie)
No.TitleLength
1."Nigma's Confrontation / It's Batman"3:10
2."Criminal Montage"3:06
3."Task Force Indoctrination"2:41
4."Dropping Down"2:00
5."Gearing Up / Beer Room Challenge"1:51
6."Harley Arrested to Arkham"3:01
7."Infiltrating Arkham & Joker Assault"5:33
8."Killer Frost's Kiss & Black Spider's Microwave"1:59
9."Harley Bait & King Shark's Work"1:27
10."Suicide Squad in the Big House"3:44
11."Batman's Gotham & Property Room Access"2:59
12."Batman Fights Suicide Squad"2:12
13."Joker's Out / Suicide Squad vs. SCU"3:34
14."Joker Attacks Batman"1:40
15."Prisoners Released"2:45
16."Chopper Fight / Poison Ivy / The Batplane"2:03
17."Chopper Crash"2:24
18."Final Confrontations"2:08
19."Batman – Assault On Arkham End Credits"3:04
Total length:51:21

Reception[edit]

Critical reception[edit]

The film has an aggregated score of 75% on Rotten Tomatoes based on eight reviews.[20]

Scott Mendelson of Forbes roundly praised Assault on Arkham for its action, art style, humor, voices, and characters, calling it one of the best films of DC's direct-to-video lineup. He described it as a "gleefully immoral" heist film which, having "no real [plot] arc to speak of", relies on its violent action and clever character dynamics within the Suicide Squad to carry it. Due to its villainous protagonists, dark comedy, and sexual content, Mendelson considers the production of Assault on Arkham an experimental decision by DC, and a successful experiment as it tells a style of comic book story that would never get approval as a live-action project.[21]

Seth Robison of Newsarama was far more critical, considering the animation, characterization, and storytelling in the film poor. He had particular dislike for the voice acting, which he believed squandered a talented cast by delivering a "disjointed" performance, and for Assault on Arkham's interpretation of Amanda Waller, which he believed simplified her into merely another villain. He further found Deadshot's sympathetic characterization opaque to non-comic readers and Harley Quinn's crazy act obnoxious. Overall, Robison deemed the experience of the film "superficial" and thought it compared unfavorably to those offered by the Arkham video games and the Justice League Unlimited episode "Task Force X".[22]

Sales[edit]

The film earned $5,820,248 in domestic home video sales.[23]

Continuity with the video game series[edit]

Assault on Arkham was announced as being set in the universe of the Batman: Arkham video game franchise, taking place after Arkham Origins,[24] and two years before Arkham Asylum according to Jay Oliva. James Tucker stated that the film was intended to bridge the gap between Arkham Origins and Arkham Asylum.[11] However, the 2024 video game Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, which takes place after Arkham Knight, directly conflicts with the continuity elements of the film. In particular, Kill the Justice League features the appearance of King Shark, who sports a different design and personality. The main characters also do not acknowledge having worked together prior to the events of the game, with three of them (Harley Quinn, King Shark, Captain Boomerang) featured in this film, whereas Deadshot is re-established as an African-American man, while the Caucasian version of Deadshot, who is featured in both the film and previous Arkham games, is alluded to be a multiversal variant.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Gallagher, Brian (July 20, 2013). "COMIC-CON 2013: 'Son of the Batman' and 'Batman: Assault on Arkham' Announced for 2014". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on July 22, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Warner Bros. Brings "Batman: Assault On Arkham" To DVD/Blu-Ray August 14". Comic Book Resources. May 7, 2014. Archived from the original on May 7, 2014. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
  3. ^ Sneider, Jeff (July 8, 2014). "Comic-Con: Warner Bros. Bringing Peter Jackson's 'Hobbit' Finale, 'Mad Max'". The Wrap. Archived from the original on July 10, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d Vieira, Anthony (April 20, 2014). "'Batman: Assault on Arkham' Trailer – The Animated Movie Based on the 'Arkham' Games". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on April 19, 2014. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
  5. ^ a b Miereanu, Gary (June 4, 2014). "It's @HyndenIsHere voicing equal parts of crazy, vicious & hilarious as #HarleyQuinn in #BatmanAssaultonArkham pic.twitter.com/6AS74m3D3b". Twitter.
  6. ^ a b c Miereanu, Gary (June 13, 2014). "@UniversoDC1 @DallasLKinard @TheJohnDiMaggio IMDB is incorrect. Also rightfully credit @jhaletweets as Killer Frost. #BatmanAssaultonArkham". Twitter.
  7. ^ Miereanu, Gary (July 17, 2014). ".@Android00154 Actually, @nolan_north does double duty in #BatmanAssaultonArkham as both KGBeast & Cobblepot in distinctly different accents". Twitter.
  8. ^ Miller, Greg (May 27, 2010). "Batman: Arkham Asylum (Game of the Year) Review". IGN. Archived from the original on December 19, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  9. ^ Lawlor, Shannon (August 24, 2021). "How the Batman: Arkham Series Revitalized the Superhero Game". GameRant. Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  10. ^ Corson, Heath (August 12, 2014). "'Batman: Assault on Arkham' Screenwriter Heath Corson Gives the Bad Guys Their Due". Comic Book Resources (Interview). Interviewed by CBR News. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  11. ^ a b c d "Get a Sneak Peek at Batman: Assault on Arkham in a New Featurette". Crave Online Media LLC. May 7, 2014. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
  12. ^ a b c Rocksteady Studios (October 18, 2011). Batman: Arkham City. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.
  13. ^ WB Games Montréal (October 25, 2013). Batman: Arkham Origins. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.
  14. ^ Armature Studio (October 25, 2013). Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.
  15. ^ a b Rocksteady Studios (August 25, 2009). Batman: Arkham Asylum. Eidos Interactive.
  16. ^ Bahr, Jeff (May 23, 2013). "Voice actor in 'Batman' video games spent years growing up in Aberdeen". Aberdeen News. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  17. ^ Garrett, Eric (August 27, 2019). "Mark Hamill Recalls His Return to Joker on Batman: Arkham Asylum's 10th Anniversary". ComicBook. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  18. ^ a b "Batman: Assault on Arkham – Music From The DC Universe Animated Movie". WaterTower Music. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016.
  19. ^ Harvey, James (n.d.). "Press Details For Upcoming "Batman: Assault On Arkham" Soundtrack Release". The No. 1 DC Animation Resource. Archived from the original on September 20, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  20. ^ "Batman: Assault on Arkham". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Archived from the original on August 2, 2014. Retrieved March 28, 2022. Edit this at Wikidata
  21. ^ Mendelson, Scott (August 6, 2014). "Review: 'Batman: Assault On Arkham' Is Among The Best DCAU Films Yet". Forbes.com. Archived from the original on August 9, 2014. Retrieved August 6, 2014.
  22. ^ Robison, Seth (July 31, 2014). "Batman: Assault on Arkham Review: Bat-Fans, Look Elsewhere for Your Arkham Fix". newsarama. Archived from the original on September 4, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  23. ^ "Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014) The Numbers listing". The Numbers. Accessed January 4, 2020.
  24. ^ Reiner, Andrew (May 16, 2014). "Batman: Arkham Assault Movie Releasing On Blu-Ray, DVD This Summer". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on May 16, 2014. Retrieved May 16, 2014.

External links[edit]

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