Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders (2016)

Batman and Robin spring into action when Gotham City is threatened by Penguin, The Joker, Riddler and Catwoman. This time, the four supervillains have combined their wicked talents to hatch a plot so nefarious that the Dynamic Duo really have their hands full. Together they try to stop the conniving criminals to save both Gotham City ... and space. This animated film is fantastic as it nails the feel of the 60s show: Batman (TV Series 1966-1968) and is a love letter to the brilliant series as well as its fans. Having Adam West, Burt Ward and Julie Newmar return to voice their respective roles as Batman, Robin and Catwoman was very cool and amazing to hear them back as their iconic characters. Even the voices of the other characters were really well done, sounding exactly like the original actors and were very well cast into the roles. I remember hearing the riddler and fully believing it to be the original guy. The laugh he so frequently did in the show was so on point in this movie that it had me fooled. However, with the original cast returning they are now a lot older than when they first played their roles and at times it can be a bit strange seeing their young counterparts in the animation speaking as older people. Of course, that can't be helped and didn't ruin my enjoyment of the film but it can throw you off now and then. The animation of this film is also really good with characters moving quite fluently and looking very sharp. I really enjoy the animated projects from DC and I have many of them I wish to talk about in due time. In the beginning segment of the film, the first fight was so reminiscent of the original just like how it would play out in the show that I couldn't help but grin throughout the whole sequence. There was a nice addition where batman is based upon the head whilst facing Catwoman and begins to hallucinate seeing three variations of her, which were all the different actresses who have played the role in the show over the years. Just little details like that show the love and care for the legacy of the original series that has been put into this film. More attention to the source material comes in the use of the huge letters that explode onto the screen whenever there is fighting (like CRASH or POW), which is taken straight out of the original show, which was great. There is also a sequence later on, which leads to the duo using the never before seen bat-rocket and going into space that was an extremely crazy idea that they pulled off. Such an idea would not have been possible in the show and this movie takes full advantage of it by giving us these bizarre and delightful ideas, giving them life in a way never before seen or thought likely to happen. We even get a segment of the film where Batman is compromised and tries to take over the city now becoming evil after a special drug was used on him by Catwoman. He then later creates many duplicates of himself to run the city to the point where Robin teams up with Catwoman to put an end to his plans and restore him with an antidote. It leads to a fantastic sequence where the two recruit all the other villains to help fight the numerous Batmen and each has a moment to display their usual weapons and gadgets in the same style as the show, which was absolutely great. Having all the technology, vehicles and very specific antidotes that have the word 'Bat' in front was just very much like the show, which was another nice touch and homage. Overall, this is a great addition and tribute to the 60s show, which felt like a continuation of the silly, fun, action-packed bat-adventure. If you loved the original series and the film then this one and its follow-up: Batman Vs. Two-Face (2017) are a must-check out for fans. It may take things in a wackier situation but it still holds the heart of what it is honouring.

Runtime: 1h 18m
Director: Rick Morales

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Movie Trailer:


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