Dynamic duo return in campy romp
Original `Batman' cast reunites for good, clean animated fun
Holy Bat-thriller, we're unworthy!
Fifty years after the TV series launched Batmania nationwide, the surviving stars of “Batman” — Adam West (Batman), Burt Ward (Robin) and Julie Newmar (Catwoman) — reunite for an animated adventure that cannily pays homage to the camp classic with an amusing, action-packed story filled with derring-do and yes, even a twist of romance.
For those who were too young for the original series or somehow missed it despite its near continuous run in syndication — this 80-minute treasure stands on its own — but it contains an extraordinary number of call-backs, shout-outs and sly jokes that will delight longtime Bat-fans.
Here, Batman's four greatest foes — the Joker, the Riddler, the Penguin and Catwoman — team to steal the Replicator Ray, which, as its name suggests, can duplicate anything.
The fiendish felons hide out at an abandoned frozen food factory — no, really, that's what the sign outside the building says: “Abandoned Frozen Food Factory.”
The hired minions still wear shirts that say “Goon.” Our heroes still hit bad guys so hard, words form in the air. When the Dynamic Duo ascend a building with their trusty Bat-rope, the camera angle twists.
Batman is the best citizen ever. He won't let Robin jaywalk, even after criminals. (“Quick, Robin, to the crosswalk!”)
This is a story that takes the Caped Crusaders into space — something the original show never did — and answers the question, what would happen if the “paladin of virtue” went bad?
Writers Michael Jelenic and James Tucker truly know this show. Batman is still vexed by the captivating Catwoman, who, for her part, toys with him like a ball of yarn and regards the Boy Wonder like an annoying kid brother — who should be bumped off.
The cut-above animation captures Newmar's lithe movements and uncannily echoes the late Cesar Romero's Joker.
Catwoman makes a, well, catty remark that indicates she's familiar with Christopher Nolan's “The Dark Knight Rises.”
Alfred, Police Commissioner Gordon, Chief O'Hara, ditzy Aunt Harriet — and a few other surprises — all make appearances. One quibble: There isn't a nod to Yvonne Craig's Barbara Gordon/Batgirl. Craig died in 2015.
For those who found Ben Affleck's psychotic hero in the blockbuster “Batman v. Superman” just a tad too dark for their liking, “Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders” is the perfect antidote.
After years of disavowing the campy “Light Knight,” Warner is finally doing this hero justice. The studio has already ordered a sequel based on an unfilmed script for the '60s show and has signed “Star Trek's” William Shatner to voice the villainous Two-Face for another animated film to be released next year.
But will right triumph over evil? Will Batman and Catwoman ever kiss? Will Batman Batusi?
Some questions are only answered by sitting through the closing credits. — mark.perigard@bostonherald.com