Batman: The Movie

This is my favorite film from 1966 by default. This was also the first ever full-length theatrical portrayal of Batman. It was meant to precede the television show's release but 20th Century Fox wanted less financial risk by going ahead with season one first. Much of what I say about "Batman: The Movie" can also be said about the TV show. Many people would think this movie is a complete parody when in fact, Adam West's Batman reflects the Caped Crusader of the comics contemporary to the time. Regardless, the camp is on purpose and there is parody of current events and political figures. I enjoy the various gags and over-the-top performances but I grew up with the Tim Burton version of this comic book hero so I lack sentimentality when it comes to Adam West and Burt Ward.

If you haven't seen the TV show before seeing the movie, it is made apparent from the start of the feature film that it contains "adventure...pure escapism...unadulterated entertainment, the ridiculous and the bizarre". You get your first sense of that kind of absurdity as the Dynamic Duo, Commissioner Gordon and Chief O'Hara figure out that the four villains have teamed up. I did take note of the cinematography of the first scene with the United Underworld. The frame is at a tilt, which is symbolic. I love how the two heroes board and launch of the Batboat in one long shot. In HD, you can see the propellers of the helicopter from which the scene is being shot. "Batman" has many examples of deus ex machina, where a conundrum is solved by an unforeseen solution but we can accept them in this movie because there is non-verbal acknowledgement. Some examples include the porpoise and the foam rubber wholesalers convention. This movie has quite a few memorable jokes and funny scenes. I like the idea of a sparrow with a machine gun because it comes completely out of nowhere. My favorite scene in the whole show is Batman with the bomb because of the running gag of the band. From the moment I first saw the movie as a kid, I have never forgotten the line "Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb". Another funny gag is Batman looking through all the foreign languages for which elevator button to press. The TV show is best known for many things and they are featured in the movie such as the stylized titles during the fight and the theme music by Neal Hefti. The theme is employed wonderfully thanks to Nelson Riddle. One of my favorite parts of the screenplay is the "stitch in time saves nine" segway.

All the cast members pull off melodramatic in entertaining fashion without stepping over the line. Adam West's performance is over the top but coolly and that I believe is what makes his Batman still iconic. Unfortunately because of his role as Batman, West became type cast for the majority of his career. Thankfully, his voice work on TV more recently has raised his popularity once again. I will always remember Burgess Meredith as Mickey from the "Rocky" movie franchise but my favorite portrayal of The Penguin ever (and that includes the TV show, "Gotham") is courtesy of Meredith. He was so popular in the role that the TV show writers always had a Penguin script ready for whenever the actor was available. As a fun fact, Adam West spoke at Meredith's funeral. I haven't seen Eartha Kitt as Catwoman in season three of the TV show but I think she would have been awesome in this movie.

"Batman: The Movie" is designed for "fun lovers". Doing camp and parody is risky in the film industry because trying to film an outright joke can turn the final product into one. "Batman: The Movie" however succeeded because of the talent of those involved and by non-verbally admitting its own ridiculousness. Even though I may not take to this version of Batman as much as others, I am confident in saying that no matter how many times Batman is reinvented, Adam West will always have a place in the DC Universe.

3.5 Stars