Batman: Soul of the Dragon

 Batman: Soul of the Dragon - Review

By, Justin Azevedo

Synopsis - Richard Dragon (Voiced by. Markus Dacascos), recruits his old classmates Bruce Wayne (Voiced by. David Giuntoli), Shiva (Voiced by. Kelly Hu) and Ben Turner (Voiced by. Michael Jai White) in stopping an evil cult known as Cobra from fulfilling a life long prophecy of bringing forth their God!

     The film is set some time in the 70's and we see Richard infiltrating and getting intel on what he needed to know which is a link to an event that happen in his past. This leads him to travel to Gotham to enlist the help of his old classmates starting with Bruce Wayne. We see throughout the film, flashback of Richard, Bruce, Shiva and Ben Turner when they were students to O-Sensei, along with two other students and they're time training, their interactions with each other and the event they reshaped their lives!

     In the flash backs we see Bruce arriving at a Monastery to receive training, and he meets O-Sensei who shows him the 5 students that he was already training Shiva, Ben Turner, Jade, Rip Jagger and Richard Dragon who was O-Sensei's oldest student. Bruce learns the specific reasons as to why they came to train, some came to better themselves and some came for enlightenment and find peace. A subject within the grounds of the Monastery comes up of a door that leads to a place that the students did not know where it leads, Bruce was the first to ask when he arrived, but O-Sensei shrugs it off, then was asked again by Jade and O-Sensei just gave an answer that wasn't really an answer. That very night the group wondered what it was, some believe it contained weapons, techniques, treasures, but Bruce just thought the subject was just a distraction. That very night, Bruce, Richard, Ben and Shiva heard a scream and find Jade and Rip missing. They head out and meet with O-Sensei and heard the scream again and see the door they were wondering about open and see Rip killing Jade with the Soul Breaker sword. It is then they learned that Rip came to the Monastery in hopes of opening a Gate and free the God that he serves, to bring about a better world. O-Sensei tried to warn Rip that his God was a demon, however refusing to listen he opened the door, which can only be open with a sacrifice with the Soul Breaker, and as he embrace his God, he is instead killed by snake demons that came through. The group fought against the demons and manage to defeat them, however they see they're master entering the gate as it can only be closed by a sacrifice, Richard and the rest try to save him, but it was too late. The room soon began to collapse and they made they're escape and then went they're separate ways.

     This flash back sequence is a great reference to Arrow as the series contained flash backs of Oliver's past and the events that coincide with the main plot of the film.

     Richard Dragon (Voiced by. Markus Dacascos), was O-Sensei's oldest student, after the events at the Monastery, Richard became a spy and was on a case that links to an cult organization. After infiltrating one of the cult's hideout's, Richard learns that they have gain possession of the gate and after a skirmish against security, he makes his escape. He then heads to Gotham and ask the help of his old friend and classmate Bruce Wayne. Richard tells Bruce of the case he's been working and that he needs his help, however Bruce told him that he can't, however his mind was soon change when Richard mention the Gate and also when they were attacked by the Axe Gang. Richard and Bruce went to go face them and it is during the fight Richard sees Bruce, dress in his Bat Suit. During the fight with the Axe Gang, they learn they have come for the sword. They knew they were taking about the Soul Breaker sword that was in Shiva's hand. This leads them both to go meet her next, after defeating the Axe Gang. Richard was surprise to see that Shiva, had become a Crime Lord in Gotham's Chinatown district. It is at her place they come to face the Cobra ninja's, after fighting them they see the sword getting taken and chase after them but failed. Richard then went on to recruit Ben, so all four of them and stop the cult together. Richard learns from ben that the cult in known as Cobra and what they're goal is. As they prepared to head to the island, Richard informed Bruce that they'll need every advantage they can get, and to put on his suit as he knew that in wearing that suit strikes fear into enemies. As they got to the island they are met with Schlangenfaust, however Richard and Shiva went on ahead while Ben and Bruce deal with him. Arriving at the temple Richard and Shiva are faced off against Lady Eve and King Snake. While Shiva dealt with Lady Eve, Richard goes up against King Snake. In his fight against King Snake, he proved to be a challenging opponent to Richard, however he soon found a way, messing with his hearing and grabbed victory. Richard is then re-joined with the others, as they corner Jeffery Burr, Leader of Cobra, after stopping him from sacrificing a child. However after Burr used his own soul to open the gate, Richard told the rest to prepare for a fight, but was shock to see O-Sensei come out of the gate alive. Richard went to his side, but then learned that O-Sensei was possessed be the Demon God known as Nāga who attacked him. After Nāga had defeated the others, Richard confronted him again, but he learns from Nāga that he is the chosen vessel for Nāga's soul and tells him that he possess great power and to accept his destiny. Richard however refuses and ready's to take him on, as the two fought, Richard unlocks the power within him and with the assist of Bruce, Richard was able to destroy Nāga's soul with the Soul Breaker Sword and free O-Sensei. Richard cradle, O-Sensei, who told him how proud he was and called him son, as he passed away. Though Nāga was vanquished, the gate still needed to be close, to which he was willing to do as he believe it was his purpose, but after learning that Bruce had went went inside. This leads Richard to go in and join him along with Shiva and Ben, though Bruce told them to go back it was to late the gate had close, and Richard told him that they are all in this together and that they are "The Dragon"! Richard then ready to fight along with the other's as the demons inside came after them!

     Richard Dragon is the perfect fusion of Bruce Lee and James Bond. His look and fighting style resembling Bruce lee, by his spy abilities, as well as personality matching to James Bond. Richard Dragon utilize the two perfectly!

     Bruce Wayne/Batman (Voiced by. David Giuntoli), was the sixth student of O-Sensei, who came to his Monastery to train in order to face the evil that took his parents. Bruce was very determined in his training, and O-Sensei understood why he was so determined, but remined him in even in defeating on evil, a new one will always rise and that evil is ever lasting. After the incident, Bruce return to Gotham in which he became the Batman and fought against crime, as was his ultimate goal. We see him in his club that he runs with Silver St. Cloud a women he was with, but ends things with Bruce, as she could tell that he was hiding this Dark secret and wanted him to share it, so she could be helpful, but he refuse. Upset, Silver leaves Bruce and that when he is met with Richard Dragon, who comes to him for help. Though Bruce refuses saying he has left the world of Martial Arts behind, Richard test that, by throwing an ice picker, to which Bruce caught. Bruce still tried to tell Richard that he is not the type to be involve in this type of work he's doing, however Richard once more calls his bluff, as he found his security screen and that Bruce is gaining intel on a Gang that is speaking about doing a Job. Bruce is mind is then tempted when Richard informs him that the gate has been found, however before they could discuss further his club is attacked by the Axe Gang. Bruce and Richard head down to face them, but after a brief struggle Bruce leaves which surprises Richard, but returns in his suit as the Batman. After defeating the Axe Gang, Bruce knew that their target was Shiva, as they claimed they were after the sword that she possesses. Upon arriving at her place, Bruce informed Richard that she has change and has become a crime lord. When they came under attack again by Cobra ninja, Bruce informed her that they were after the sword. He continued to help, after the sword was taken, which lead to a highspeed chase in Gotham in Bruce's car equipped with gadgets, however Cobra manage to escape with the sword, but Bruce informed the others that it was not over yet. After recruiting Ben Turner, they set out to Cobra's island, along the way he along with the other's learn more about Cobra and they're leader Jeffery Burr and what they are planning. At the encouragement of Richard, Bruce once again suits up as the Batman to face Cobra. Once on the Island they are met with Schlangenfaust who stand in they're way. Batman tells Richard and Shiva to go on ahead while, he and Ben hold back Schlangenfaust and after fighting him with some difficulty, they were able to attain victory with Batman's gadget and Ben quick thing  to make a flamethrower. They then reunited with Richard and Shiva, who had defeated the rest of Burr's people and freed the children, except for one. Before Burr could sacrifice the child, Batman came up behind him and force him to release the child with a Batarang. He along with the rest cornered Burr, Batman tries to reason with him, tells him it's over, since he has no soul to sacrifice to open the gate, however this leads to Burr to use his own soul to open the gate. After Burr dies and the gate opens Batman and the rest ready themselves for a fight, however they saw their Master coming out of the gate, as Richard went to his side, he was attack and Batman along with the rest were shock to see as they're Master was possessed by the Demon God Nāga. As Naga had knocked down the others, Batman was the only one left, he then create and area of smoke and uses it to conceal himself and get the drop on Naga and wrapped his cape around Nāga's head and snapped his neck. Believe it was over, Batman came off guard when Nāga rose up and knocked him down out. Batman awaken and sees Richard facing Nāga and provides aid, with both distracting Nāga and tossing him the Soul Breaker Sword to Richard, which he used to destroy Nāga's souls. After Nāga defeat, Batman gathered towards Richard and O-Sensei who was freed, O-Sensei proceeded to tell Bruce how proud his parents are of him and watch has he passed away. As the other's discuss who would go into the gate so that it would close, Batman had already went in along with the Soul Breaker Sword to be the sacrifice. However Batman is then shock to see the rest had followed him, as he told them to leave, it was too late, Richard proceeds to tell them that they are in this together. Batman agrees with him and  he along with the other's prepare to fight against the snake demons coming to them!

     Lady Shiva (Voiced by. Kelly Hu), was O-Sensei's greatest student and the one chosen to be entrusted with the Soul Breaker Sword. She was a fast learner, as well as understanding what O-Sensei was trying to teach her and the other's, as well as being a tremendous fighter. Though we see that she has a little greed in her, as she believe what O-Sensei was keeping behind the forbbiden door were great riches and jewelry. Among her fellow classmate, she was greatly dislike by Jade, since she was favored by their Master. After the events of the Monastery and O-Sensei's lost, Shiva went on to become a Crime Lord at the Chinatown District in Gotham and was feared. She was reunited with Richard and Bruce after they had arrive at her Underground fight club and watch as she killed a fighter, for breaking the rules in a previous Match. (Shiva's reason for becoming a Crime Lord is no doubt a sense of failure, as she was entrusted to keep Soul Breaker safe, however it was stolen from her and used to kill Jade, by Rip Jagger and leading to her Master's Sacrifice. Because of this, Shiva became cold and it what lead her to become a Crime Lord, though she still believes to fight with honor, however has no problem killing whoever if the cause is right)! After Shiva sees Richard and Bruce, she proceeded to throw shuriken stars at them, however she was saving them from Cobra Ninja's behind them and ascertain that they were in trouble. During the fight against the Ninja's, when Richard mention Bruce mask and suit, Shiva understood and learned that Bruce Wayne is the Batman. After the sword was taken, Shiva chase after Schlangenfaust with Bruce and Richard assistance. However even after getting close to Schlangenfaust vehicle, he was able to escape. Shiva was disappointed in herself for failing, only for Bruce to tell her that it is only failure if they give up. After recruiting Ben Turner, Shiva along with the others learn about what Cobra is, from Ben. They all then prepare to make their descent to the island. After getting on the island, They are met with Schlangenfaust, Shiva fought against him with the others, but then left with Richard to continue on, while Batman and Ben deal with Schlangenfaust. As She and Richard head to the temple, they defeat Cobra Ninja's. Shiva then takes on Lady Eve (as she finds Lady Eve's look offensive). Shiva clashes blades with lady Eve, but when Shiva  throws her weapon and becomes unarmed, Lady Eve believe she was doomed, only show Shiva to point out that she was the weapon itself, which she proved by breaking Lady Eve's blade with her bare hand and finishing her by impaling her hands in Lady Eve's stomach ending her. Shiva then went on to save and free the children and tell them to go to safety with Richards help. After they are reunited with Ben and after Batman saved the Child help by Burr, she along with the others cornered him. She watched as Burr sacrificed himself to open the gate with Soul Breaker. As the gate opens, She saw O-Sensei exit from it, and was shock when he attacked Richard and saw that he was possessed by Naga. Shiva was ready to fight, but was knocked out by Nāga. She awakens after Nāga's defeat and gathered as O-Sensei was held by Richard. Shiva then held his hand along with Richard and Ben, as O-Sensei passed away. Shiva believe she should be the one to close the gate, as she was the one chosen to protect it, however when she realize Batman had entered she followed along with the other two, and was ready to fight alongside the other as the Snake Demons headed their way!

     Kelly Hu, reprises her role in voicing Lady Shiva, after voicing the role in Batman: Arkham Origins Game. 

     Ben Turner/Bronze Tiger (Voiced by. Michael Jai White), another student of O-Sensei, who came to help control his temper, though still working on that. Ben was pretty determine in his training like the other's and only stopped when he believe it was not longer worth his time. He and Bruce had a bit of a spat between the two over rice and Ben beating Bruce to a pulp. Ben's reason for this, as he doesn't think Bruce deserves any specials treatment, just because of the loss of his parents and talks about how something like that happen in his Neighborhood all the time, only that it doesn't make the "headlines ". However Ben was able to respect Bruce when he showed he was not going to back down, no matter how many hits he took and the two got closer. Ben thought on what was behind the forbidden door, was a private oasis for O-Sensei to relax. When they heard the screams Ben went along with the others and follow O-Sensei to the forbbiden door and saw as Jagger has killed Jade with the Soul Breaker Sword and used it to open the gate behind him and watch as Snake Demon's came through and killed Jagger, then came after them. Ben fought along with the others and killed them, he then tried to save his Master with Richard and Bruce, when O-Sensei entered the Gate to close it, but failed. After the events at the Monastery, Ben created a school of his own and taught Martial Arts to kids and helped them the way O-Sensei helped him. Ben joined Richard, Bruce and Shiva when they came to him and presented a weapon with the same symbol that Rip Jagger had. As they made they're way to where Cobra was, Ben told them what he knew about them, how we was fighting their organization and crippling them gaining the name Bronze Tiger. He then told what the cult was working towards and who was at the top Jeffery Burr. Ben found the island Burr was being kept and was about to finish him, but change his mind when he learn Burr was a child, thus ending his crusade against Cobra and becoming a teacher. Both Richard and Dragon understood why he couldn't do it, Shiva on the other hand thinks he should've finished the job like she would have. Ben descended to the Island with the others and upon landing, they are met with Schlangenfaust. Ben stayed behind with Batman to deal with Schlangenfaust, while Richard and Shiva went on ahead. Though they put up a good fight, Schlangenfaust wasn't going down easy, until Batman took out some mase and it gave Ben an idea to fry Schlangenfaust finishing him. Ben then reunited Richard and Shiva, after saving the Children and saw as Batman save the last child from Burr and cornered him with the others. Ben watched, as Burr sacrifice himself to open the gate, as saw O-Sensei exit through it. Ben was shocked like the others as they saw O-Sensei attack Richard and saw that he was possessed by Nāga. Ben try to stop Nāga, but was taken down like the others. After Nāga was defeated Ben awaken and went to O-Sensei's side and held his hand along with Richard and Shiva as their Master passed. Ben was the first to volunteer to be the one to close the gate, however after he realize that Batman had already went inside, he followed along with Richard and Shiva and Ben stand with them as they prepare to fight when the snake demons came at them!

     Jeffery Burr (Voiced by. Josh Keaton), was the leader of the Cult organization known as Cobra. He was taken in by Cobra at a young age, as it was believe he was the Messiah to be the vessel of their Snake God Nāga. As he grew older, Burr went on to run Cobra, much like a business, with Lady Eve as his secretary, all the while preparing for the day to open the gate and summon their Nāga, in hopes to bring for a new world order. When he is told about some interferences he order Schlangenfaust to deal with it, as well as retrieve Soul Breaker. After acquiring the sword, Burr prepared to offer the soul sacrifice to open the gate, using the soul of a child. However after the defeat of his Ninja's and top enforcers, and his sacrifice freed, thanks to Batman, Burr found himself surrounded by Richard, Batman, Shiva and Ben. They try to tell him that it's over, as well as tell him his life has been a lie, Burr refused to believe it, as he continued to spout that he was the chosen one, however Batman pointed out that he has no soul to sacrifice. This leads Burr to use his own Soul to open the gate, by impaling himself with Soul Breaker to the Gate. Burr believed that he will be save by Nāga once the gate opened, however this proved wrong as both his soul and body burned ending his life and unaware that he was never truly the chosen one to be the vessel to their Nāga, as Richard was the true Vessel.

     Jeffery Burr served as the primary Antagonist during the film, up until his death at the near end of the film, in which Nāga served as the true Antagonist to our heroes! Though Jeffery portrayed as a cruel and heartless person, who valued the life for other with no concern, he was not much of a fighter, with no combat skills in the least!

     O-Sensei/Nāga (Voiced by. James Hong). O-Sensei was the Master of a Monastery in Nanda Parbat, as well as the Master to Richard Dragon, Shiva, Ben Turner, Jade and Rip Jagger, then later Bruce who became his sixth student when he arrived at the Monastery to train! O-Sensei was the type of Master who was both ancient in wisdom, yet also Modern in the times that they live in, even has a TV, and James Hong provides that comedic relief that he is known for that he does well while portraying as O-Sensei. He knew about Bruce's past and the lost he had suffered and his goal to fight Evil, however O-Sensei tells him that fighting Evil is a never ending battle, for if one evil falls, a new one will always rise to take it's place. Shiva was his best student, among the six and the one he had chosen to carry and protect the Soul Breaker Sword. O-Sensei, had always dodge the question whenever someone brought up what was behind the door that was forbidden. O-Sensei was the protector the gate that could bring out the Demon God Nāga from entering their world and kept the two thing that Nāga required. The First was the Soul Breaker Sword that could be use to open the gate, that he entrusted with Shiva. The second was the Vessel that Nāga needed to sustain his soul on earth, though the Cobra cult believed that it was Jeffery Burr, the true Vessel was Richard Dragon, that O-Sensei raised and train, so Richard would have the strength to reject that destiny and defeat Nāga instead. When Rip Jagger betrayed O-Sensei and opened the gate, O-Sensei went in to close it, entrusting the future of the world to Richard, Bruce, Shiva and Ben, should the gate ever be opened again. O-Sensei's fate after the gate close, was believed that he was killed, however when the gate was opened again, O-Sensei exited the gate, but was possessed by Nāga. 

     As Nāga, he used the knowledge that O-Sensei had of his students to his advantage to defeat them, as well as knowing the truth that Richard Dragon was his true Vessel. However his attempt to get Richard to accept this destiny failed and with the help of Batman, Richard was able to vanquish Nāga's soul with Soul Breaker and freeing O-Sensei. Once free, O-Sensei, was proud of his students for accomplishing all that he had believed that to achieve and passed away while holding Shiva, Ben and Richard's hands!

      Among the other students of O-Sensei was Jade (Voiced by. Jamie Chung) and Rip Dagger (Voiced by. Chris Cox), both are different version of their DC Comic version with Jade as Cheshire and Rip Dagger as Judomaster. 

     Jade was a curious girl, always asking question, including what was behind the forbbiden door, to which always gave O-Sensei a headache. Jade was also jealous of Shiva for being known as the top Student among them. Her curiosity became her downfall when she sneaked into the forbbiden door with Rip, who ultimately betrayed in killed her, to use her soul as a sacrifice to open the gate to Nāga's dimension. 

     Rip Dagger was a different version, from his DC Comic counterpart, as in the comic's Rip was known as Judomaster a superhero, while Rip in the movie was a war hero, he was actually a Cobra Cult member, who manipulated his way into O-Sensei's Monastery and waited to claim the Soul Breaker Sword to open the gate to release his God Nāga and become his Vessel. Though he was able to accomplish in opening the gate, after killing Jade with the Soul Breaker, he was killed by Nāga's servants, as he was not the true Vessel, therefore dispensable!

      Among the Cobra Cults member's Jeffery Burr's top soldier were Lady Eve (Voiced by. Grey DesLisle), who was both Burr's Secretary and Bodyguard, King Snake (Voiced by. Patrick Seitz) who was a blind Martial Artist, who relied on his other senses in combat and was Burr's top Fighter and Bodyguard. Schlangenfaust (Voiced by. Robin Atkin Downes), is a new character created for this film, as well as a top level member of the Cobra Cult. His body was probably genetically altered to have snake DNA and have Snake powers, as well as other body configuration's to that of a snake. Able to turn his hands into snake heads, as well as when his limbs are cut off that are able to regrow and become Snake-Man monster's!

      There was a Gang Group known as the Axe Gang, that was hired to attack Richard and also retrieve the Soul Breaker sword. This Gang is a reference to the Axe Gang of China, that has been used for Cinematic Martial Arts Movies, with an Axe being the main weapon!

      The Movie greatly references to the Bruce Lee Martial Arts Film, Enter the Dragon with a Similar Name, as well as the Main protagonist, Richard Dragon, resembling Bruce Lee in both appearance, wardrobe and fighting! The film also reference's to the 007 Movie franchise, with a big one, when Richard introduce himself, this is a reference to "Bond... James Bond" but with Richard Dragon's name instead. It also had a opening credit sequence, that is similar to 007 opening sequence, but with Kung-Fu music!

      The Film did great in incorporating Martial Arts, as well as give each character their own fighting style. They also did great in creating mystery and suspense through the film and give each Character a personal foe, for them to face.

My Rating for Batman: Soul of the Dragon is... (Awesome)