Review
Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders
Release Date: October 11, 2016 on Digital
Main Release Date: November 1, 2016 on Blu-ray and DVD
Synopsis: It's back to the 1960s as Batman and Robin spring into action when Gotham City is threatened by a quartet of Batman's most fiendish foes - Penguin, The Joker, Riddler and Catwoman. The four Super-Villains have combined their wicked talents to hatch a plot so nefarious that the Dynamic Duo will need to go to outer space (and back) to foil their arch enemies and restore order in Gotham City. It's a truly fantastic adventure that will pit good against evil, good against good, evil against evil... and feature two words that exponentially raise the stakes for both sides: Replicator Ray. Holy Multiplication Tables!
The "Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders" direct to video animated movie is a modern re-invention of the 1966 live action Batman television series that celebrates its 50 year legacy and invites newcomers to join the Bat-party. 'Return of the Caped Crusaders' is a faithful continuation of the series, much like the recent comic book, and the audience rejoins Batman and Robin in their quest to uphold truth, justice, and the American way. On the flip side, the movie also is a commentary - good and bad - about the series, getting downright meta at times, and also the versions of Batman that succeeded Adam West's portrayal. 'Return of the Caped Crusaders' doesn't pull any punches. As soon as you hit play, the movie takes you back to the 60s with a title sequence that fans of the television show will immediately recognize. Even the structure of the movie - Act 1, Act 2 - and so plays on like a lost episode. The twist in the final drive to the ending matches something you would see in one of the 120 episodes. Though still, 50 years later, it doesn't feel at all like a facsimile. "Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders" is a worthy sequel to a cherished and celebrated classic.
The movie starts a simple super villain team up that Batman and Robin have to break up again but the stakes get higher and more importantly zanier. The quartet of crime steals a ray gun from Professor Nichols that can copy anything. Then they stow away on a flight to an abandoned international space station. But Batman and Robin follow in their own Bat-Rocket. Yeah. But just as quickly, Catwoman switches sides after the others try to flush her out into space. With the day saved so soon, what's the rest of the movie going to be about? In what's essentially a salute to the mind control episodes, Batman starts acting incrementally darker and more violent - using brass knuckles, firing Alfred, snapping at Aunt Harriet, and kicking Dick Grayson to the curb - then ups the crazy with taking over Gotham City with an army of duplicates. Robin steps up and tries to fight back with the holy of unholy alliances. Oh, and there's a jail break. But soon enough, Batman and Robin uncover the real scheme and puts the real culprits in their place.
As mentioned before, the movie is reverential to the television series and even gets meta at times. From the series' famous use of Dutch angles, 60s dance moves, walking up the side of a building, and Robin's unending stream of "Holy-isms," there's even a nod to the many actresses who portrayed Catwoman. There's also meta comments and nods to other eras of Batman peppered in between like Catwoman's blatant innuendo, quoting The Dark Knight Returns, calling the Gotham City Police Department incompetent, or Penguin's been there done that remark about Catwoman's mind control idea.
Michael Jelenic and James Tucker co-wrote the script and that in itself was a mini-reunion of sorts as both helmed the recent animated series "Batman: The Brave and The Bold" hits all the right notes. A show that definitely had the DNA of the 60s series and would not be anything if it hadn't come along first and influenced a generation. Jelenic, Tucker and director Rick Morales definitely put in the extra effort to make sure the dialogue, tone, and visuals of the movie syncs up with the look and feel of the television series. Though, of course, there are limitations and for instance, the animation is still, too for the lack of a better term, modern and dark looking. It was probably unlikely the studio could 100% duplicate that vintage look without some sort of filter that would end up being more of a distraction than a benefit.
The voice cast was stellar no doubt anchored by Adam West, Burt Ward, and Julie Newmar reprising their roles and Wes Gleason's casting. But of the three, I admit I enjoyed Ward's the most. Just the fact he totally slips back into the perpetual teenage Robin voice is a feat worthy of merit. Wally Wingert taking on Frank Gorshin's Riddler, Jeff Bergman as Cesar Romero's Joker, and William Sayler as Burgess Meredith's Penguin were pretty seamless and reverent. Down to the Joker's laugh, Riddler's theatrics and Penguin's "Wah!", Wingert, Bergman, and Sayler were simply amazing! The Dynamic Music Partners once again live up to their namesake and lovingly recreated the television series' theme song and score. The hopefully forthcoming soundtrack will definitely be a recommended purchase.
I admit that I personally am not a huge fan of the television series and I don't think I've ever watched a full episode. Going into the movie cold, I enjoyed the movie for what it was but couldn't wonder if a weakness of the movie is people like me not knowing much but smart enough to know there's a lot going over their head. Would they bother to look do some good old Internet research or would it turn them off so much? While its definitely an all ages title, is the 60s setting something a modern audience can't relate to? Yes, you go off into a black hole with those hypothetical questions but the movie's most obvious weakness had to be the pacing. The middle of the movie falls off the wagon with the 'Batman goes bad' arc and bogs the entirety of the movie down a couple notches. The movie goes on with it just long enough that I asked myself "What was this movie about again?" and once things get back on track, the resolution -- on one hand round about and convoluted but on the other, I guess this how they did the reveals on the television series? This is what they were after along and did all this other stuff for?
The special features for Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders receives are two featurettes that focus on the main villains and the voice-work in the animated movie. "Those Dastardly Desperado" explores The Joker, The Riddler, The Penguin and Catwoman with commentary from the movie's crew, the voice actors and DC Comics staff. The core of the feature is why it was so fun and appealing to play these versions from the 60s series. "A Classic Cadre of Voices" spotlights the voice cast and along with the crew of the movie, discuss what they needed to do in order to sync with the original performances of their respective characters in the 60s series. The other specials included were a look at the previously released Son of Batman and Batman vs. Robin from the DC Universe line of direct to video movies and a gallery of screenshots from Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders. Both features were a good start but they clocked in at 10 minutes each give or take. As someone who watched very little of the series, I would have liked there to have been a primer on the history of the 60s series that could inform those with little prior knowledge of the content or as a refresher for long time fans. The omission of the 'From the DC Vault' in this release was a surprise. "Beware the Grey Ghost" from Batman: The Animated Series, which had Adam West as a guest star, or pretty much any episode from Batman: The Brave and The Bold, a series heavily influenced by Batman '66 would have been a perfect inclusion. And again, where is the commentary track? I'm sure the cast and crew had plenty to say about making this movie.
Aside from some pacing issues and a marginal set of special features, "Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders" is a must buy for fans new to the classic 60s television series and diehard fans alike. Fans will ride the wave of nostalgia and fall in love with the show all over again while new comers have a new entry point into meeting another interpretation of the world's finest caped crusaders. While it is true there were some minor pacing issues at the midpoint, everything overall ties back together for a satisfying ending. The heart, humor, and heroism is what makes this movie as must see. Even though I wouldn't say this was my favorite Batman movie of the year, I'm still appreciative of the strong showcase of titles audiences can now pick and choose from. There were the adult offerings from the DC Universe, "Batman: Bad Blood" and "Batman: The Killing Joke" which were miles apart from each other or for younger audiences "Batman Unlimited: Mechs vs Mutants" and "Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders." If you don't like one, there's plenty more to choose from. "Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders" is a recommended purchase and I wholeheartedly look forward to what this new DC Classics line has to offer in the near future [cough]better be some Wonder Woman '77[cough] and beyond!
Rating
Main Feature: 3/5
Special Features: 2/5
Average Rating: 2.5/5