Batman and Harley Quinn

The 29th DC Universe animated original movie gives Harley Quinn, devoted henchwoman of The Joker, center stage after she is recruited by Batman and Nightwing (Dick Grayson's superhero identity after retiring as Robin) to stop her old friend and sometime partner in crime Poison Ivy from unleashing a plot that threatens all life on Earth. Melissa Rauch (The Big Bang Theory) voices Harley, and iconic voice actors Kevin Conroy and Loren Lester (from the original Batman: The Animated Series) are reunited as Batman and Nightwing, while Paget Brewster costars as Poison Ivy. It's really a showcase for Harley, who developed from supporting comic relief on the animated series into a fan favorite and eventually was adopted into the comic book universe, where she was given a tragic backstory. Here, she has finally broken free of the Joker's sway and wants to steer clear of the costumed culture but agrees to help out due to her affection for Poison Ivy (and to let her wild side free again). Unlike most of the animated DCU features, this is an original story by Bruce Timm, who co-created the character, and it takes a lighter, more whimsical approach to the material (including fart jokes), incorporating a saucy sense of humor and cheeky sexual innuendo. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)