Batman: The Movie 6/10

Batman: The Movie (NR) 1966
Reviewer’s Tilt (10)
Comedy-110min
Special DVD Features worth a look-West and Ward commentary

Perfectly executed campiness should leave at least some small part of your brain thinking "are these guys are actually taking themselves seriously" Batman: The Movie is a premiere example of such campy perfection. Ridiculous puns, delivered with stoic solemnity abound in this cult classic. Watching the relationship between Family Guy's Adam West’s slightly pot-bellied Batman and Burt Ward’s overly exuberant Robin for any length of time may just convince you that Saturday Night Live's Ace and Gary are just good friends.

As you might expect, the good guys are all unidimensionally good, and the bad guys unidimensionally bad, but not too bad. This movie strives for nothing more than delightful escapism, completely devoid of angst, sex and graphic violence, (assuming punching a foam shark does not fall under one or more of the foregoing categories). Batman: The Movie harkens back to a simpler time, when society regarded moral corruption with such disdain that it was not a required character in every single movie. Do not get me wrong, only a lobotomy patient could feed on a steady diet of Batman: The Movie and Leave it to Beaver; I mean I like Road Trip as much as the next guy.

It is just that I also respect the wit and artistry required to be funny, without being gross or cruel. While clearly not a masterpiece, this film is filled with subtle humor. The supporting cast of baddies includes Lee Meriwether as Catwoman, Burgess Meredith as the Penguin,Cesar Romero as the Joker, and Frank Gorshin as the Riddler all of who provide the precise amount of overacting to this predictable, but entertaining experience. Batman: The Movie is a true family-friendly movie, capable of entertaining kids from six to sixty.

Format: Color, Widescreen anamorphic, Fullscreen, Closed captioned.
Sound: (Dolby Digital Mono)
Extras: Commentary by Adam West and Burt Ward, Batman featurette, Batmobile featurette, photos, trailer.