Episode 2 - 'Terror on Dinosaur Island!' Discussion Thread

[Jochimus]

I like this episode even more than the first one.

The whole redemption angle with Eel is really nice in this one. I think this is probably the finest performance I've heard from Tom Kenny, 'cuz it really shows how humorous AND serious he can be. And I wouldn't mind seeing a new animated Plas series spun out of this one, either. And the shovel scene was priceless.

On that note, I also like the fact that this episode, like the first one, makes an offhand reference to Superman (and indeed Batman's comment about the hoops he had to go through for Eel - "The judge, the parole board, the League."). Even better this time, because in the context of the shovel scene, it actually reminds me of that Lord Bravery skit on "Freakazoid!" with the poor guy trapped in the sewer wondering why Superman didn't show up instead. t:

I like what happens to Grodd at the end, and how revolted he is by it; a very appropriate fate, I must admit. I also like how Batman didn't break character even after Grodd zapped him; Diedrich Bader really strikes a nice balance in this episode between the snappy one-liners and the dedicated crimefighter that we're accustomed to seeing out of Batman, IMHO.

The opening sequence with Fire and Gentleman Ghost during the Day of the Dead festival was awesome, too. I'm hoping down the line we'll get full episodes for Green Arrow and Fire.

The retro-style Batplane was a nice add, too. I hope we get an ep with the Batmobile soon.

 

[Mister J]

I rated the first episode a '8'. This was an improvement. I may need to recalibrate my scale for this show.

Plas was a treat. Seeing Batman's belief in him and the mentoring aspect really pushed the story throughout the central story involving Grodd. The producers are pretty deft at using Batman's 'straight man' role to ratchet up the enjoyment factor. The action was tight, as well as the utility of Plastic Man's abilities.

I rolled at Grodd's 'fate'.

I'm loving this show.

 

[Hellstormer]

I only caught the beginning cause I fell asleep. I liked seeing Gentlemen Ghost and Fire and I thought it was cool that Bat's and Eel had some history. Don't know what happened after that. Wonder how many parents remembered the old Plastic Man cartoon.

Anyone know why Plas could show up here but not on JLU?

EDIT: I wonder if this will make CN think about showing that Plastic Man pilot they have locked away.

 

[Hush]

Great ep, very funny!

 

[the dmg]

I haven't seen the Pilot or last week's episode, but this will definitely have me watching it. It's hilarious, and told a good story with Plastic Man.

 

[spiderfan970]

I think that pilot was for nickleodeon wasn't it?

I loved this episode by the way, and I just rewatched the pilot before this so I must agree that Plastic Man should have his own show.

 

[Captain Planet!]

I think that pilot was for nickleodeon wasn't it?

I loved this episode by the way, and I just rewatched the pilot before this so I must agree that Plastic Man should have his own show.

It was for CN.

 

[3dman27]

i only caught the beginning cause i fell asleep. I liked seeing gentlemen ghost and fire and i thought it was cool that bat's and eel had some history. Don't know what happened after that. Wonder how many parents remembered the old plastic man cartoon.

Anyone know why plas could show up here but not on jlu?

Edit: I wonder if this will make cn think about showing that plastic man pilot they have locked away.

lets hope so

 

[Dread]

This review won't be as long as for the pilot, as I have no need to cover Batman animation topics past and present. I still believe that animating the Dick Sprang era is being done because it is the only era of Batman that hasn't been strip-mined to death in animation since the early 90's. I believe this is the best way to do it; over the top, humorous, and with tongue firmly in cheek. Think a plot involving turning people into gorillas is pretty ridiculous? So does the show. Rather than trying to play this straight, this series has fun with the campy era of Batman but sometimes seems to be mocking it.

"Terror on Dinosaur Island" basically has Batman teaming up with Plastic Man to fight Gorilla Grodd, but much as last week's intro fight scene featured a set of heroes and villains not part of the main plot (Green Arrow and Clock King), this time we got to see Fire and Gentleman Ghost. Gentleman Ghost is an obscure villain but twice so far he has proven interesting in animation; I thought he actually came off cooler than in JLU. Fire is of course in her old school outfit that would never fly now, but in a self-mocking series like this, is very appropriate. She's voiced by Grey DeLisle, with Greg Ellis as the Ghost.

But it is Plastic Man who shares much of the spotlight with Bats, voiced by Tom Kenny, who is probably best known as SpongeBob Squarepants, but also played The Penguin in five seasons of THE BATMAN. This is probably the first time Plastic Man has seen animation since his old show in the 60's (he was mentioned, but not shown, in JLU). Much like last week's show, in a way the adventure with Batman is a way to get the B-List guest star introduced to the masses. Eel O'Brien's origin is altered a bit to include Batman at every turn, but frankly, what did you expect? This is Batman's show. O'Brien is shown as an ex-thief who used to work for probably the corniest villain around, Kite-Man, who was thrown into a vat of chemicals during a fight with Batman that "turned him into a freak" as he says. While he blames Batman for that accident, he also owes Batman for pulling him from the muck, standing at his bedside, and even helping him win parole, as well as get a spot on the Justice League. But while he tries to be a superhero, Plas is still tempted by easy money that usually is tossed about during battles.

He is comic relief here, and Plastic Man does it very well; he has some great lines and some amusing uses of his power, including being a manure shovel (yuck!). Batman is often the straight man, although the bit with the ejector seat was priceless. So was, of course, Batman having Nth metal brass knuckles and being able to block Grodd's telepathy with his oriental mind tricks (which he, of course, has to announce). Grodd is voiced by the ever reliable Joe DiMaggio and naturally we get to see Bat-Ape before the plot is undone. And of course Batman can outfight hordes of gorillas with martial arts.

It's a stress free, light-hearted romp. It may not be worthy of owning forever on DVD for a lot of us but for an initial viewing or two it is a lot of fun. If tastes run for more serious Batman, there is a wealth of material on Boomerang or the DVD shelf. Batman was many things, but he was this too. THE BATMAN tried to straddle the gothic darkness and the daylight superhero adventures equally and didn't usually succeed; BATMAN: BRAVE AND THE BOLD at least has the guts to pick their direction and do it well. The show's a blast on a lazy afternoon or evening.

 

[Hush]

I liked how they showed the electrici current go through the cape when it stiffened in the beginning of the episode, so he could glide. Thought that was a great reference too BB and TDK.

 

[Dread]

I liked how they showed the electrici current go through the cape when it stiffened in the beginning of the episode, so he could glide. Thought that was a great reference too BB and TDK.

Yeah, I caught that too. It was cool.

 

[Hush]

Little things like that and the Nth metal knuckles are just so very cool for the fans to see and lets you know that the creators are acknowledging that kids are smart and that they know fans are watching too.

 

[KBX]

Its was enjoyable. Thats all I can ask from this show. Just make it enjoyable. It was nice to see Plastic Man animated for the first time in years.

 

[Dread]

The format of the show worked wonders for Plastic Man. In JLU, he may have seemed awkward as the tone was usually serious. But in BTB, he fits in fine with the goofy, funny tone.

 

[Galvanize]

A really great episode. I enjoyed the first episode but found that i liked this a whole lot more.
Plastic Man was given a really good back story that i thought was fleshed out well and helped moved the story along at the excellent pace.
After 2 episodes i have to say im really surprised at how much im enjoying it. Great stuff t:

 

[SHADOWBAT69]

Was I the only one who felt a strong Johnny Quest vibe with the dinosaurs and music in this episode?

 

[The_Riddler?]

Was I the only one who felt a strong Johnny Quest vibe with the dinosaurs and music in this episode?

I did catch that "vibe"! I half expected Bandit to run in and save Batman from Grodd.

 

[Rowen]

This episode was a fun little romp, witch im enjoying at least. it was action packed and yes that was fire that landed a hand to batman. i thought that was her, and i to was also thinking "where's Flash" when i saw gorrillia grodd. he should of been in the ep since it had one of his rouges. i dunno maybe flash will show up in a future episode here's to hoping.t: can't wait to see what happens next

 

[CLARKY]

I think this episode was very very good (in B:B&B terms). I was surprised to see that I was laughing 2 times during the show. Plasticman was really funny, and the plot was not that bad. The only problem I have is that I have the impression they put as many things as they can in one episode, because the show can not stand by itself ; the intro, the Grodd's big headquarters attack, batman as a gorilla, the world as gorillas, Grodd as human .... wow. A lot. Sure, it is exciting and all but I fell it is too much. No time for character development, only action and excitement. Anwway, that was not that bad, I think Plastic man rocks hard, and I say this, being usually part of his detractors.
I appreciated the Eel O'brien moments and the trust between Plastic and Bats, in the middle of the "very friendly action cartoon". I think it works pretty good when everything is nice and friendly and suddenly sometimes sad or serious happen. more deep, IMO.
Good work on this episode.
"Tell me you've got a plan Bat ... ... ape."

 

[MaskedManJRK]

I loved the connection with Plastic Man and Bats--reminds me of some of the best bits from the Grant Morrison/Joe Kelly JLA run, where Bats invites Eel to the League and inadvertantly helps Eel become someone better (granted in a more mature situation).

Also--there's just something that warms my heart seeing Batman kick the asses off of hyper-intelligent super-gorillas.

 

[TruerToTheCore]

"what makes you think that?" - "The dinosaur!"

Batman is so funny in this show!