BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN: Parts 1 and 2

BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN is based on an acclaimed comic book from the 1990s, considered superlative among devotees of the Caped Crusader. The 2021 animated film adaptation, released in two parts, follows the story fairly closely. Early in Batman’s crimefighting career, a serial killer begins assassinating members of the Falcone organized crime family, one on each major holiday, starting with Halloween. Batman joins forces with a police captain named Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent to take down Carmine Falcone’s criminal operation and put a stop to the “Holiday Murders.”

For all of DC’s beleaguered cinematic history, their strong suit has always been their animated projects. Their most recent era of animated films, known as the “Tomorrowverse,” has drawn criticism when compared to earlier animated DC movies, but THE LONG HALLOWEEN is a master class in delivering a panel-for-panel retelling of DC’s most popular graphic novels. The two movies are armed with a 2D animation style that reflects their source material in favor of more modern conventions. It also includes gripping voice performances from Jensen Ackles as Batman, the late Naya Rivera as Catwoman and the rest of the cast. As a result, THE LONG HALLOWEEN allows its old-fashioned, hardboiled mystery to speak for itself and brings viewers along for a mystifying, exciting, thought-provoking ride.

Much of the appeal of THE LONG HALLOWEN, however, is not from its world-class murder mystery, but from its exposition of a deeply uncomfortable reality of human nature. As Alexander Solzhenitsyn wrote in THE GULAG ARHCHIOPELAGO, “The line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being.” It’s easy to recognize darkness when it appears in the form of the mobster Carmine Falcone or the psychopathic criminal, Joker. It’s far harder to do, however, when it comes from within oneself or one’s loved ones. This is what the heroes in THE LOGN HALLOWEEN come to realize when the identity of the Holiday Killer is finally revealed.

Although THE LONG HALLOWEEN doesn’t overtly address the topic of theology, its depiction of the Christian, biblical precept of man’s fallen nature is spot-on, as is its portrayal of the two choices each person has. Batman recognizes the capacity for evil in himself and rejects it. Instead, he channels his metaphorical “demons” to fight darkness and protect the innocent. Harvey Dent, his foil, ignores his capacity for evil, puts full faith in his own righteousness, and ultimately succumbs to his rage and temptation for revenge against his enemies. Batman tries to bring his friend to repentance and redemption. However, Dent becomes consumed by “Two-Face,” an alter ego that embraces violence and vengeance. He chooses evil, sin and damnation, and suffers the consequences. Batman and Captain Gordon, however, go home to their families and enjoy the peace that walking in the light inevitably brings. Thus, this mere detective story rises into something more powerful, a parable of the diametrically opposed fates of those who choose good and those who choose evil.

That said, BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN has some foul language, include a few strong obscenities and profanities, plus intense scenes of violence and murder. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises extreme caution.