Batman: Soul of the Dragon (2021): Cast, Ratings & Plot
Batman: Soul of the Dragon is a 2021 action adventure film directed by Sam Liu, starring David Giuntoli as Bruce Wayne / Batman (voice), Mark Dacascos and Michael Jai White. It runs 1 hour 23 minutes. Its Echo Score is 64/100.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 23m (83 min)
- Director
- Sam Liu
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Warner Bros. Animation
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Batman: Soul of the Dragon About?
The premise of Batman: Soul of the Dragon without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Bruce Wayne confronts a formidable adversary linked to his past, seeking assistance from three former classmates who have become exceptional martial artists. He joins forces with Richard Dragon, Ben Turner, and Lady Shiva, each a master of their respective disciplines, to overcome the looming threat and protect Gotham.
Batman: Soul of the Dragon Themes & Keywords
· 26 tags- martial arts
- kung fu
- based on comic
- based on comic book
- 1970s
- period piece
- period film
- funky
- snake monster
- another dimension
- cliffhanger ending
- deity
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- katana
- ninja
- clan
- superhero
- mature animation
- for grown ups animation
- superhero action
- batman character
- bruce wayne character
- lady shiva character
- teacher
- dc shared universe
- shared universe
- hand drawn animation
Batman: Soul of the Dragon Cast & Characters
David Giuntoli leads the cast as Bruce Wayne / Batman (voice), with Mark Dacascos as Richard Dragon (voice) and Michael Jai White as Ben Turner / Bronze Tiger (voice). Directed by Sam Liu; 13 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Sam Liu
- David Giuntoli as Bruce Wayne / Batman (voice)
-
Mark Dacascos as Richard Dragon (voice) -
Michael Jai White as Ben Turner / Bronze Tiger (voice) -
Kelly Hu as Lady Shiva (voice)
Also Starring in Batman: Soul of the Dragon
· 9 more- James Hong O-Sensei (voice)
- Jamie Chung Jade (voice)
- Chris Cox Rip Jagger (voice)
- Josh Keaton Jeffrey Burr (voice)
- Eric Bauza Axe Gang Leader (voice)
- Robin Atkin Downes Schlangenfaust (voice)
- Grey DeLisle Lady Eve (voice)
- Patrick Seitz King Snake (voice)
- Erica Luttrell Silver St. Cloud (voice)
More from Sam Liu
More films directed by Sam Liu, best-rated first: Reign of the Supermen, Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham, Superman: Red Son and DC Showcase: Death.
Batman: Soul of the Dragon Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 64/100, strongest in sensory experience (78) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).
Batman: Soul of the Dragon Echo Score Breakdown
Batman: Soul of the Dragon delivers a nostalgic 1970s‑style adventure that entertains fans of retro martial‑arts cinema but falls short of narrative depth. Critics highlight the film's effective direction, vivid aesthetic, and strong voice performances, while noting uneven pacing and a plot that leans heavily on action set‑pieces. Audience reactions echo this split, praising the style and fun moments but criticizing the thin story and limited focus on Batman. Overall, the movie offers a competent, if not essential, entry in the DC animated catalog.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 70
In terms of art and craft, the film excels at recreating a 1970s aesthetic with funk‑laden color palettes and fluid animation. Critics commend the direction and production design, though some point out a decline in visual quality after the opening act. Viewers note a strong first‑half visual style that weakens later, resulting in a solid but uneven artistic execution.
- Character & Emotion 68
When evaluating character and emotion, the voice cast receives consistent praise for nuanced performances and distinct personalities. The supporting cast shines, while Batman himself is often relegated to a peripheral role, reducing the central emotional anchor. Both critics and users appreciate the chemistry among the ensemble, though the limited focus on Batman diminishes overall character impact.
- Story & Flow 55
Regarding story and flow, the narrative is widely seen as lightweight and occasionally disjointed. Critics describe the plot as forgettable, losing momentum in the second half, and relying heavily on genre tropes. User feedback mirrors this, labeling the storyline predictable and underdeveloped. The film’s measured pacing fails to fully sustain engagement, leading to a mixed assessment of its narrative strength.
- Sensory Experience 78
The sensory experience stands out as a primary strength, with a groovy 70s soundtrack and dynamic sound design that reinforce the film’s retro vibe. Reviewers highlight the immersive audio‑visual blend, noting the energetic martial‑arts sequences and nostalgic musical cues. Both critics and audiences agree that the film’s sensory elements heighten its entertainment value despite other shortcomings.
- Rewatch Factor 50
Rewatch factor is tempered by the film’s novelty and stylistic flair, offering occasional fun moments that invite a second viewing. However, many critics and users express limited desire to revisit, citing a thin plot and lack of lasting narrative depth. While the movie provides enjoyable nostalgia, its replay appeal remains moderate at best.
Batman: Soul of the Dragon Plot Summary
What happens in Batman: Soul of the Dragon from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In Bruce Wayne’s younger years, while training himself to become a vigilante crime-fighter, he travels to Nanda Parbat, a secret monastery in the Hindu Kush region, where he meets its caretaker, O-Sensei, and five other students training in the martial arts; Richard Dragon, Shiva, Jade, Ben Turner and Rip Jagger. O-Sensei eventually entrusts [Shiva] with Soul Breaker, a Muramasa sword in his possession, but otherwise remains secretive about a certain door at the monastery’s outer perimeter. One night, [Rip Jagger] penetrates the forbidden door and kills [Jade] with Soul Breaker, which is the key to a mystical gate O-Sensei was guarding. This gate opens to the home dimension of the serpent god Nāga; four of his servants emerge and devour [Rip Jagger] before turning on O-Sensei and his students.
Full summary
The whole story of Batman: Soul of the Dragon, scene by scene
Batman: Soul of the Dragon Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Batman: Soul of the Dragon.
How Well Do You Know Batman: Soul of the Dragon?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the main vigilante hero in the film?
Batman: Soul of the Dragon Also Known As
20 alternative titles, including “Batman: Alma de Dragón” and “蝙蝠侠:龙之魂”.
- Also known as
-
- Batman: Alma de Dragón
- 蝙蝠侠:龙之魂
- Batman: Alma do Dragão
- באטמן: נשמת הדרקון
- Бэтмен: Душа дракона
- 배트맨: 드래곤의 영혼
- Batman: Alma del Dragón
- Batman : L'Âme du Dragon
- Бетмен: Душа дракона
- Batman: A sárkány lelke
- Người Dơi: Linh Hồn Của Rồng
- แบทแมน วิญญาณแห่งมังกร
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- Batman: Dragens sjæl
- Batman: Ejderha'nın Ruhu
- Betmenas: Drakono siela
- Batman: Duše draka
- 蝙蝠俠:龍之魂
- Батман: Душата на дракона
- Batman: Dusza Smoka
- 蝙蝠俠:龍魂
Seen Batman: Soul of the Dragon?
Movies Like Batman: Soul of the Dragon
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Batman Ninja, Batman vs Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Batman: Gotham Knight.
Batman: Soul of the Dragon FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Batman: Soul of the Dragon, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Batman: Soul of the Dragon?
Batman: Soul of the Dragon runs 1 hour 23 minutes (83 minutes).
When was Batman: Soul of the Dragon released?
Batman: Soul of the Dragon was released on January 12, 2021.
Who directed Batman: Soul of the Dragon?
Batman: Soul of the Dragon was directed by Sam Liu.
More films by Sam Liu Who is in the cast of Batman: Soul of the Dragon?
Batman: Soul of the Dragon stars David Giuntoli as Bruce Wayne / Batman (voice), Mark Dacascos as Richard Dragon (voice) and Michael Jai White as Ben Turner / Bronze Tiger (voice), among 13 credited actors.
Does Batman: Soul of the Dragon have a post-credit scene?
No. Batman: Soul of the Dragon has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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