Hubbry Logo
Chase MeChase MeMain
Open search
Chase Me
Community hub
Chase Me
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Chase Me
Chase Me
Chase Me
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Chase Me
Title screen
Directed byCurt Geda [fr]
Written byPaul Dini
Alan Burnett
Based on
Batman
by
Produced byAlan Burnett
Margaret M. Dean
Curt Geda
Benjamin Melniker
Michael Uslan
Music byLolita Ritmanis
Production
companies
Distributed byWarner Home Video
Release date
  • October 21, 2003 (2003-10-21)
Running time
6 minutes
Languagenone (Silent film)

Chase Me is a 2003 American animated superhero short film based on The New Batman Adventures (1997–1999). The film was released as a bonus feature on the DVD for Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman in the U.S. on October 21, 2003, and was produced by Warner Bros. Animation.[1]

The short, which follows Batman as he chases Catwoman across Gotham City, is made in old school silent film-style; it contains no dialogue or sound effects, only a musical score.[2] The music is composed by Lolita Ritmanis, who also composed the score for Mystery of the Batwoman, as well as several episodes of The New Batman Adventures.

Plot

[edit]

Bruce Wayne gazes out the window of the Wayne Enterprises building during a party, before being pulled to the dance floor by three lovely young ladies. Each has a turn before Alfred rescues Bruce, who dives into a nearby elevator. When he reaches his office, he discovers Catwoman looting the safe.[3] Catwoman pins Bruce to the wall while she finishes robbing the safe, and makes her escape. Bruce frees himself and gives chase as Batman.[4]

Batman pursues Catwoman across the rooftops, and the chase begins. She dives off a roof and falls several stories below into busy traffic, breaking her fall with an overhanging banner and swinging onto a tour bus. She poses for some pictures until Batman lands on the tour bus, prompting Catwoman to flee once again.

Batman and Catwoman.

They jump on a milk truck tanker and Catwoman blows the tires out. The truck spins off, and Batman pursues after her, ignoring the truck dumping gallons of milk onto a couple of stray cats, as well as Harvey Bullock.

They jump on a train, where Batman loses track of Catwoman after going through a tunnel, only to see her trail leading into a zoo. Detouring through the Large Cats exhibit, she distracts Batman by freeing the lions and setting a panther on him. He escapes through the sunroof while Catwoman runs into an aviary, only to be chased out by a colony of bats. She is then cornered by Batman against the gates of the zoo. She notices he was scratched earlier, and leans in to kiss him. Batman pushes her away, and she appears hurt. Batman then sweeps her into his arms and kisses her.

The police arrive, and Catwoman looks around, concerned. She pushes at Batman to leave. Batman then slowly smiles at her before taking the bag of money and leaving. Catwoman smiles, thinking she has been let off easy, only to find herself handcuffed to the fence. She falls to the ground, despondent.

A remorseful Bruce Wayne looks through the window at the party, again, watching police cars fly past below, before a woman grabs his arm and pulls him back to the party.

Music score

[edit]

The soundtrack starts with a quiet bossa nova/cha-cha-cha piano theme, which features a flute solo and a female singing voice, with then later a high upbeat saxophone-led jazz style score that plays up the chase and slowly dips into a slower/methodical jazz score as the film reaches its downbeat climax. The opening theme is reused in the end credits.

Home media

[edit]

Chase Me was included as a bonus feature on the DVD and Blu-Ray releases of Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Chase Me

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Chase Me is a 2003 American animated produced by , serving as a bonus feature on the release of Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman. The 6-minute short, directed by Curt Geda and featuring no dialogue or voice acting, depicts Batman pursuing the feline thief through the rooftops and streets of after discovering her attempting to rob one of Bruce Wayne's buildings. Styled in the vein of a classic , it relies entirely on expressive animation and a dynamic musical score composed by to drive the narrative and tension. The film was written by Batman: The Animated Series veterans Alan Burnett and Paul Dini, drawing stylistic inspiration from The New Batman Adventures (1997–1999), the successor series to the acclaimed 1990s animated Batman franchise. Animation was handled by South Korean studio D.R. Movie Co., Ltd., known for its work on numerous DC animated projects. Released on October 21, 2003, alongside Mystery of the Batwoman, Chase Me highlights the cat-and-mouse dynamic between Batman and Catwoman, emphasizing visual storytelling over spoken words to capture their flirtatious yet adversarial pursuit. It has been praised for its stylish animation and jazz-infused soundtrack, contributing to the enduring appeal of the animated Batman universe.

Background

Development

"Chase Me" originated as a promotional bonus short film tied to the direct-to-video release of Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman in October 2003, extending the aesthetic and character dynamics of The New Batman Adventures (1997–1999). The project was directed by Curt Geda, a veteran of the DC Animated Universe known for helming episodes of Batman Beyond, with the story crafted by producers Alan Burnett and Paul Dini, who sought to capture the flirtatious tension between Batman and Catwoman reminiscent of her appearances in Batman: The Animated Series. This silent short, running approximately six minutes, prioritized visual storytelling without dialogue, allowing the chase sequence to unfold through expressive animation and kinetic pacing inspired by the characters' established roguish interplay.

Premise and influences

"Chase Me" presents a dialogue-free chase sequence between Batman and across , capturing their iconic cat-and-mouse dynamic through expressive and high-stakes action that underscores their underlying romantic tension. The characters' interplay is rooted in comic book lore, with originating as "" in Batman #1 (Spring 1940), where she emerges as an enigmatic anti-heroine whose thievery and flirtations with Batman blur the lines between villainy and alliance. This debut establishes her ambiguous role, influencing subsequent portrayals that highlight a love-hate relationship marked by mutual attraction and conflict. Stylistically, the short incorporates noir aesthetics from films, evident in its shadow-heavy compositions and dramatic contrasts of light and dark, while evoking silent-era through exaggerated, wordless gags and chases. These elements are framed by the influences of , blending streamlined geometry and gothic opulence into a cohesive "Dark Deco" that enhances the nocturnal, urban pursuit.

Production

Direction and animation

"Chase Me" was directed by Curt Geda, who oversaw the production with animation handled by D.R. Movie Co., Ltd. under to create a concise 7-minute focused on efficiency in storytelling and visuals. The animation adopted a 2D style consistent with , employing fluid choreography for the central chase sequence to capture dynamic movement at the standard 24 frames per second. Completed in mid-2003, the short utilized a digital ink-and-paint process, which facilitated vibrant shading and seamless integration of exaggerated character expressions and physics-defying stunts, amplifying the comedic elements of the pursuit. Directorial challenges included maintaining high-energy action within the limited runtime and absence of , relying instead on visual gags such as Catwoman's acrobatic maneuvers across Gotham's rooftops and a climactic zoo confrontation to drive the narrative and humor.

Voice acting and

"Chase Me" is a silent animated with no spoken or , relying entirely on visual action and music to tell its story. The sound design consists solely of a musical score composed by , recorded and mixed by , which evokes the era while providing immersive depth to the pursuit.

Synopsis

Opening sequence

The opening sequence of Chase Me establishes the film's noir-inspired tone through its depiction of nighttime , featuring a panoramic view of the rain-slicked streets and towering skyline illuminated by flickering neon lights against a stormy sky. The architecture of the buildings, with their geometric facades and ornate details, underscores the shadowy, atmospheric setting characteristic of the style. At a lavish party in the penthouse in 2003, Wayne gazes out a window, bored amid the elegant crowd of Gotham's elite. He is pulled onto the dance floor by three women before Alfred rescues him. Seeking escape, takes an elevator to his office, where he discovers robbing the safe. She pins him momentarily with her before fleeing, prompting to change into Batman and give pursuit.

Chase and confrontation

launches into a high-stakes pursuit of across the rooftops of , utilizing acrobatic leaps and precise grapnel line swings to navigate the urban skyline and close the distance on her evasive path. The sequence showcases Batman's relentless determination through dynamic swings from building to building, contrasting with Catwoman's feline grace as she bounds effortlessly over ledges and vents, her movements a blend of evasion and allure. Key interactions during the rooftop chase highlight the flirtatious tension between the two, conveyed entirely through in this dialogue-free short. pauses to strike teasing poses atop gargoyles and billboards, arching her back provocatively to draw Batman's gaze and momentarily distract him, while he counters with focused grapnel launches that underscore his unyielding resolve. These nonverbal exchanges emphasize their cat-and-mouse dynamic, with near-misses building a rhythmic interplay of pursuit and provocation. The chase descends to the streets, where Catwoman jumps from the rooftop onto a banner that carries her to a tour bus, posing for tourist photos until Batman arrives. She then leaps to a milk truck, sabotaging its tires to cause a spill that soaks a group of cats and GCPD's Harvey Bullock. The pursuit continues onto a moving train, where Batman loses her in a tunnel but follows her trail to the Gotham Zoo. There, Catwoman detours through the large cats exhibit, dodging the animals, before entering an aviary and being chased out by a colony of bats. Cornered at the zoo gates, notices a scratch on Batman's face from the earlier tussle and kisses him. He kisses her back before handcuffing her to the fence, recovering the stolen money, and departing as police arrive. Later, a remorseful watches the police cars from the penthouse window as a woman resembling Selina Kyle approaches him at the party. This resolution reinforces the cyclical nature of their adversarial yet charged relationship, with captured but their dynamic intact.

Music

Composition

The score for Chase Me was composed by in 2003. It created a jazz-infused, noir soundtrack that complemented the film's silent, chase-driven narrative. The composition process occurred post-animation, allowing Ritmanis to tailor precisely to the chase sequences' beats and rhythms. emphasized , , and percussion to evoke the atmosphere of detective films, with the prominently featured through performer John Yoakum. The complete score runs approximately 6 minutes and is structured around tension-building motifs that synchronize with the film's visual gags and action peaks. As a silent short, the score integrates directly with minimal sound effects, relying on music to convey all emotional and dramatic elements. The score was released in 2016 on the limited-edition soundtrack CD for Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman by La-La Land Records (2000 units).

Key themes and motifs

The score for Chase Me, composed by , employs recurring musical motifs to underscore the flirtatious tension and cat-and-mouse dynamic between Batman and , driving the silent narrative through sound alone. The main chase theme is fast, upbeat, and jazzy, evoking the sense of pursuit. This contrasts with Batman's motif, which incorporates elements of the classic theme to convey his determination. Throughout the short, the emotional arc of the music evolves from subtle, mysterious lines in the opening to bold, triumphant horns during the climactic confrontation, effectively conveying an undercurrent of romance without dialogue. Ritmanis, a veteran composer for DC animated projects including Batman: The Animated Series, tailored these elements to enhance the short's noir-inspired visual style.

Release

Initial distribution

"Chase Me" premiered on October 21, 2003, as an exclusive bonus feature accompanying the home video release of the animated film Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman. The short was distributed by Warner Home Video exclusively on this DVD, serving as a silent companion piece to the main feature without any standalone theatrical or broadcast debut at the time. Due to its brief seven-minute runtime, the short received no theatrical release and was confined to North American home video markets initially. Marketing efforts emphasized the short's unique silent format, positioning it as a , dialogue-free chase with a jazz-inspired score to appeal to enthusiasts. Promotion occurred through eye-catching DVD packaging artwork and print advertisements in publications, such as full-page ads highlighting the bonus content to drive sales of the Mystery of the Batwoman edition. These campaigns targeted dedicated fans of the , leveraging the established popularity of -related media to introduce the short as an added value for collectors and series viewers. No independent broadcast or wider distribution was available until subsequent streaming platforms incorporated it years later.

Home media and availability

"Chase Me" debuted on home media as an exclusive bonus feature accompanying the 2003 DVD release of the animated film Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman. The seven-minute silent short was included to provide additional content for fans of the . The short received an upgraded presentation with the 2013 Blu-ray edition of Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman, where the main feature was remastered in high definition, though the bonus short itself remained in standard definition. This release maintained the original and audio track, featuring the score by without dialogue. As of November 2025, "Chase Me" is accessible via streaming on Max, where it plays following the Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman feature. It is also available for digital purchase or rental on platforms including and Apple TV. Free ad-supported viewing options include . It is additionally available for free on the official YouTube channel. Physical copies remain widely available through the standalone Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman Blu-ray and DVD, often bundled in broader DC animated collections, though not featured in the core Batman: The Complete Animated Series (2014) box set. Some editions offer optional closed captions emphasizing key sound effects, enhancing the silent film's visual and auditory experience.

Reception

Critical reviews

Chase Me garnered positive feedback from critics and audiences alike, particularly for its visual style and concise , though its brief six-minute runtime was frequently cited as a limitation for deeper character exploration. On , the short holds a 7.0/10 rating based on 1,500 user votes as of November 2025, with many praising the fluid hand-drawn and dynamic chase sequences while noting the lack of and plot depth due to its brevity. Professional reviews highlighted the film's innovative silent format and use of music to drive the narrative. Similarly, DVD Talk called it "excellent," commending the clever visual gags and romantic tension conveyed through animation and score alone. Critics commonly praised the short's integration of music and visuals to evoke romance and tension between Batman and Catwoman, drawing on the established aesthetics of The New Batman Adventures. However, some noted the runtime's constraints prevented fuller development of themes, resulting in a piece that felt more like a stylish vignette than a standalone story. Due to the short's niche release as a DVD extra and limited critic coverage, Rotten Tomatoes has no Tomatometer or audience scores.

Fan and cultural impact

"Chase Me" has enjoyed enduring popularity among fans of the (DCAU), particularly for its stylized depiction of the iconic chase between Batman and . On , the short holds a 7.0 out of 10 rating based on 1,500 user votes, with many praising its fluid animation reminiscent of and the palpable romantic tension between the leads. Fans often highlight the wordless storytelling and dynamic action as standout elements, describing it as a concise yet evocative exploration of Batman and 's complex relationship. Online communities have sustained its visibility since the 2010s, with frequent shares and discussions on subreddits like r/DCAU and r/batman. Posts commend the short for capturing the flirtatious cat-and-mouse dynamic without dialogue, generating memes and centered on the characters' charged interactions—such as 's teasing evasion and Batman's relentless pursuit. One 2012 thread in r/batman called it "a short that perfectly describes the Batman/ relationship," sparking conversations about their enduring appeal. Similar enthusiasm appears in 2016 discussions, where users noted how the jazz-infused score enhances the seductive undertones, blending noir aesthetics with tropes. uploads, including fan and archival versions, have collectively amassed tens of thousands of views, reflecting steady interest. Culturally, "Chase Me" stands as a notable example of experimental DCAU content, pioneering a silent, music-driven format that influenced later DC animated shorts emphasizing visual storytelling over narration. Its 2003 release as a DVD bonus feature helped cement its status within Batman animation history, often cited alongside works like the 2014 short "Batman: Strange Days" for similar atmospheric chases and stylistic homages to classic noir. The short's portrayal of as an agile, empowered figure challenging Batman has resonated in broader pop culture examinations of gender roles in media, particularly in analyses highlighting her agency and mutual attraction with . This dynamic has echoed in Batman comics and games, reinforcing BatCat as a fan-favorite trope of tension and equality. In terms of legacy, "Chase Me" continues to be screened and referenced at fan events celebrating DCAU milestones, underscoring its role in preserving the era's innovative animation techniques. Its compact narrative has inspired and nods in 2010s DC media, such as subtle chase motifs in the Batman: Arkham series, where environmental evokes similar pursuits. By 2025, amid renewed BatCat storylines in comics like Batman vol. 3, the short remains a touchstone for discussions on evolving character portrayals, emphasizing Catwoman's independence in narratives.

References

  1. https://dcanimated.com/WF/batman/tnba/episodes/00chaseme/
  2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0982860/
  3. https://dcau.fandom.com/wiki/Chase_Me
  4. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/WesternAnimation/BatmanMysteryOfTheBatwoman
  5. https://www.dc.com/blog/2019/03/08/brilliant-women-of-batman-catwoman-gets-her-claws-in-bruce-and-us
  6. https://www.ign.com/articles/batman-catwoman-history-romance-marriage-villain
  7. https://www.slashfilm.com/1116209/less-was-more-when-it-came-to-the-look-of-batman-the-animated-series/
  8. https://characterdesignreferences.com/art-of-animation-4/art-of-batman-the-animated-series
  9. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0982860/reviews/
  10. https://animatedviews.com/2003/batman-mystery-of-the-batwoman/
  11. https://letterboxd.com/film/chase-me-2003/
  12. https://dcanimated.com/WF/batman/tnba/releases/cd/motb/
  13. https://animesuperhero.com/making-music-for-the-dcau/
  14. https://www.discogs.com/release/8917570-Lolita-Ritmanis-Batman-Mystery-Of-The-Batwoman-Music-From-The-DC-Universe-Animated-Original-Movie
  15. https://lalalandrecords.com/batman-mystery-of-the-batwoman-limited-edition/
  16. https://dcanimated.com/WF/batman/tnba/releases/dvd/motb/
  17. https://www.ebay.com/itm/157286038840
  18. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Batman-Mystery-of-the-Batwoman-Blu-ray/60973/
  19. https://www.amazon.com/Batman-Mystery-Batwoman-Hector-Elizondo/dp/B001AQKPLM
  20. https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/batman-mystery-of-the-batwoman/umc.cmc.4qulxpbgfbwpoqi4rpo61xwqm
  21. https://tubitv.com/movies/100028631/batman-mystery-of-the-batwoman
  22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvtpx-xcQqk
  23. https://www.amazon.com/Batman-Mystery-Batwoman-Michael-Reaves/dp/B005HN69G4
  24. https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/7967/batman-mystery-of-the-batwoman/
  25. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/chase_me
  26. https://www.reddit.com/r/batman/comments/14pbyy/chase_me_a_short_that_perfectly_describes_the/
  27. https://www.reddit.com/r/television/comments/4qh4em/catwoman_and_batman_animated_short_chase_me/
  28. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfPrGXWsA_c
  29. https://www.cbr.com/dcau-watch-order/
  30. https://screenrant.com/batman-perfect-catwoman-character-memes/
  31. https://www.dcanimated.com/WF/batman/tnba/episodes/00chaseme/
  32. https://www.cbr.com/dc-dcau-animated-movies-timmverse/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.