Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders

I didn't get the chance to see this film during its limited run in theaters. Once it became available online, I continued to procrastinate and then Adam West passed on. Then it became a priority and when I saw it, I was impressed by how well Warner Bros. animation adapted The Bright Knight for a modern audience. The nostalgia factor is very high but unlike what we saw in the 1960's, "Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders" has some drama and night settings for originality sake.

The plot summary feels a lot like what might be written for the original TV show. I was afraid that the script would be the aspect of this movie that would interfer the most with the nostalgia but then came the crosswalk gag. That was my favorite moment of the whole movie. The audience gets to enjoy everything that the Adam West incarnation of Batman was known for such as the complex and over-thought answers and clues from the riddles. The movie thankfully starts to take on a more dramatic tone when Alfred is fired. Suddenly, the chastisement of the Commissioner Gordon and Chief O'Hara wasn't a joke. Admirably, the film doesn't lose its camp as Batman descends into arrogance. Adam West's Batman is also known for an extensive use of deus ex machina, where a conundrum is solved by an unforeseen solution that usually has the prefix, "Bat-". We can accept them in this movie because there is non-verbal acknowledgement. The Bat Rocket is just such an example as is the Bat Anti-antidote. What I didn't expect but welcomed was not just one but two opportunities to see Batman dance.

Part of me is critical of how the voices for Batman, Robin and Catwoman don't match their appearance but that side of me is quickly silenced because I don't dare criticize TV legends reprising their roles. Actually, Burt Ward does a pretty good job in his Robin scenes. Jeff Bergman and Wally Wingert's laughs as the Joker and Riddler respectively are spot on. I think this movie is a little better than the 1966 live action film because of the dramatic undertones. I thought it would be bittersweet watching "Return of the Caped Crusaders" now that Adam West has passed away but not so for two reasons. Firstly, West's performance was such that I forgot he was no longer with us. Secondly, before he passed, West recorded his voice for the stand-alone sequel. I was happy to get one more experience with the true Bright Knight.

3.5 Stars out of 5.