This may be the single greatest pilot episode of all the series that comprise the DCAU. It's very realistic, uniquely stylized, and consistently dark.
This is the first episode of the DCAU in which the opening title sequence does not introduce the episode. Instead, we are shown a scene set approximately 20 years into the future, where Batman has donned a new red-and-black costume and is fighting to save a young girl who has been taken hostage. Several things are notale about this scene. First, Batman's suit is far darker than anything we've seen him wear before. Secondly, he is fighting to save the daughter of Veronica Vreeland, one of Bruce Wayne's former girlfriends. Thirdly, Batman's sidekicks are completely absent; Bruce is fighting alone. This is a future that feels familiar, yet has gone somewhat astray.
In the end, Batman has a heart attack in the middle of a fight, and, after being savagely beaten by a common thug, is forced to pull a gun on the man in order to save his own life.
This, of course, means that Bruce Wayne can no longer function as Batman, and he permanently puts away the suit, vowing "never again" to don the cowl. It is here that we see the enshrined costumes of Batman, Robin, Batgirl, and Nightwing, revealing that all of the former guardians of Gotham are gone. Gotham is now left to itself, and must survive without its protectors.
At this point, the show's intro begins, zooming in on a futuristic and somehow even darker Gotham City.
Rather than the traditional orchestral score, Batman Beyond has a dark-sounding electric guitar rock soundtrack, giving the entire show a harder edge. This is completely exemplified in the opening title by the art style, which has perhaps the most stylized visuals of any part of the DCAU. None of the intro is in the normal animation style, but instead uses a constantly shifting mixture of various lighting tricks and effects filters to create an extremely exciting sequence. Throughout the beginning of the intro, we are shown brief flashes of words that symbolize the themes of the series, and what Gotham has become:
Apathy.
Greed.
Corruption.
Power.
However, the next shot we see is of the main character, Terry McGinnis, as he looks bravely forward despite the graveyard visible behind him.
It is after this brief visual that we glimpse one more word:
Hope.
This gives way to a visual of Terry as the new Batman, who appears from behind a black swarm of bats. At this point, the electric guitar fully kicks in, and we see the title "Batman" appear for a moment before being overlaid with the word "Beyond."
Throughout the intro, we can clearly see that this is a futuristic, somewhat dystopian Gotham City. Once the main story of the episode begins, the tone and feel of this even-farther future has already been set.
"Rebirth" is dark, moody, and sometimes morbid. While some may say that this is inappropriate for a kids' series, it gave the series premiere great depth and believability.
This episode establishes the "Jokers" gang, the sad state of Bruce Wayne's life, and Terry's personal problems. From this point on, the series works to reverse this darkness, while still reveling in it.
"Rebirth" also establishes a higher level of violence in the series, showing blood and brutality. This actually makes a lot of sense, and--as an "older" viewer--I appreciate that.
The ending of this episode is both lighthearted and subtly foreboding. As Terry shakes Bruce's hand, we as the audience know that Terry is getting far in over his head, and his fate will be forever changed.
All in all, the episode was near-perfect.
9/10
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