Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders SPOILER FREE review

[Earth 2 Chris]

Just came back from the theater, with the whole family, and we loved this movie. They captured the spirit of the show, but amped up things to crazy proportions, but it never felt wrong. Plenty of nods to the comics and the TV show, and lots of funny pokes at the subsequent Bat-films.

The voice cast did a great job. Sure, Adam sounds older, but he still sounded like Batman. Burt and Julie were great, and got lots to do. The actors recreating the other characters did well, especially the guy portraying the Joker.

I was happy to see Dusty Abell worked on the character designs. Rueben Propicio (sp, I'm sure) artist and sculptor also worked on the film.

This is the most fun I've had at the movies in a long time, and the best Batman movie I've seen in 8 years (since The Dark Knight). If you were ever a fan of Batman, and don't have to have your Knights so Dark, go download this tomorrow or wait for the Blu-Ray/DVD release Nov. 1st.

Chris

[PNGwynne]

My biggest concern is the voicework for the villains.

[hedrap]

Did the same. Saw it on an XD screen, which for 2D animation of a retro project, was kinda surreal.

The opening credits really explains what you're watching, as it's not the TV show opening reproduced, but 50's Batman covers animated. So the movie is not a direct translation of West/Ward Batman, but more like an Elseworld where '66 tried to be faithful to the 1950's Batman comics. Because of that, it has a real strong Brave-N-Bold cartoon vibe while simultaneously recalling New Adventures Batman. It really shows how amazing New Adventures could have been.

The voice work was actually very good. The Joker/Riddler guys had the laughs and inflections down but the Penguin was not Burgess at all to me, and he felt very much like a 50's comic incarnation. He's much heavier and doesn't look like Burgess, where Riddler has a resemblance to Gorshin. What was most absurd is Penguin doesn't have the mini-cigar at all, cuz apparently depicting smoking is now equal to second-hand smoke. It really detracted from the character look.

The storyline works. I had to wonder if this was originally conceived a serial project as it breaks down that cleanly. A number of '66 elements are missing, predominantly the voiceover. There are a number of in-jokes and the second act is obviously meta-commentary on Batman. My favorite visual gag is the Batcave has two batsuits under glass, but they're both Golden Age Kane and the only difference are the purple gloves. I love that not because of the trivial acknowledgement, but it's saying '66 Batman is the evolution which is an absurd thought.

The worst part is Fathom makes you sit through a five solid minute Kevin Smith intro. That goof has truly become a parody of himself.

[Earth 2 Chris]

^I expect Kevin Smith to insert himself into every project like this. It's like death and taxes.

I agree Penguin was the most "off" of the villains' voices. I could be wrong, but I thought the costumes in the displays were the original Kane 'Tec #27 look, and a suit that either looked like the original 1943 serial, or the suit Adam and Lyle Waggoner wore in their screen tests.

Not sure if there is any truth to it, but I read somewhere along the way that there were elements they couldn't replicate exactly from the 60s show due to rights issues that were still foggy between WB, Fox, Greenway, etc. Might be total bunk, but could explain the lack of the Dozier-like narration (although we do hear a good soundalike on Gotham Palace), etc.

Chris

[HardyGirl]

I can't wait to see this!

[newlyknighted]

This movie was everything I hoped it would be. And more! Cannot wait for the sequel thet have announced. I hope they do a crossover movie with Lynda Carter's voiced Wonder Woman!

[hedrap]

^I expect Kevin Smith to insert himself into every project like this. It's like death and taxes.

I agree Penguin was the most "off" of the villains' voices. I could be wrong, but I thought the costumes in the displays were the original Kane 'Tec #27 look, and a suit that either looked like the original 1943 serial, or the suit Adam and Lyle Waggoner wore in their screen tests.

Not sure if there is any truth to it, but I read somewhere along the way that there were elements they couldn't replicate exactly from the 60s show due to rights issues that were still foggy between WB, Fox, Greenway, etc. Might be total bunk, but could explain the lack of the Dozier-like narration (although we do hear a good soundalike on Gotham Palace), etc.

Chris

You're most likely right on all that. You would certainly know the aesthetic difference better than I would. I was assuming there's a royalties issue with Greenaway-Dozier. Most likely WB wants to turn '66 into their own property so they can cut out a number of royalty grabs, and that means eliminating Dozier elements.

[Earth 2 Chris]

This movie was everything I hoped it would be. And more! Cannot wait for the sequel thet have announced. I hope they do a crossover movie with Lynda Carter's voiced Wonder Woman!

Yeah, I'd love to see that. It seems like such a natural thing to do, and with Lynda on WB's payroll again, why not? I heard that idea floated on the Batcave podcast today.

Chris

[TomStrong]

I went to the theatre Monday with the family to see Miss Peregrine and saw this playing and was silently sick. Miss Peregrine was fine but man do I feel like I missed out. Usually I'm right in there for family time-it's what I do, but I would have liked to see this.

[Earth 2 Chris]

^I bet your family would have liked it. My whole clan, wife, 14 year old son, and 8 year old daughter did. Of course they are a bit Bat-brain washed, and know the show really well, but...

Chris

[comicmike]

I loved it. Honestly. I flashbacked to some of my most earliest memories. I am so pleased to see this project had come alive! Makes me want to play with my FTCs even more! Everything that was *Catwoman* was a real treat!! I sure hope Batgirl appears in the sequel with Two-Face.

[palitoy]

Watched it last night, unlike a lot of you lot I didn't grow up on 1966 Batman. Saw it maybe five times as a kid and I'll never forget when the movie played but it isn't quite the foundation to my fandom like say the Super Friends or Shazam! So I went in kind of "whatever" about the whole affair.
The first fifteen minutes didn't grab me, it felt like "That's Familiar!", a Branson-esque experience but then the story drove straight out of nostalgia-ville (population: us) and took some unexpected and frankly, welcome turns.

It was wonderfully absurd and felt like a sequel to the movie with a slightly bigger budget. I probably missed a lot of the easter eggs in there (i was noodling around with the newsletter) so I'll probably give it another watch.

Hearing Adam West say "Wanna get nuts?" was charming.

[Nostalgiabuff]

can't wait to see it. I have the bluray on pre-order

[TomStrong]

I loved it. Honestly. I flashbacked to some of my most earliest memories. I am so pleased to see this project had come alive! Makes me want to play with my FTCs even more! Everything that was *Catwoman* was a real treat!! I sure hope Batgirl appears in the sequel with Two-Face.

Catwoman was one of my favorite parts of the movie!

[Earth 2 Chris]

Catwoman was one of my favorite parts of the movie!

Definitely. Also, they really captured Newmar's movements in the animation. The animators paid careful attention to that aspect of her character.

Chris