Batman the Movie (1966)

Plot Outline: When the world's greatest villains - the Joker, the Riddler, the Penguin and Catwoman - combine forces to take over the world, there are only two people who can stop them - Batman and Robin!

The Review: The TV show goes beyond criticism - it's just the most absurd, ridiculous, ultra-campy and hilarious collection of acting, sets, script and music ever to hit the small screen. And after a successful first season of the TV series, it was decided that Batman and Robin should head to the big screen for what is quintessentially an extended episode of the TV show with a slightly bigger budget. And what better way for them to hit the big screen than to face their four greatest foes! Like the modern Batman films, it's the villains who are the stars of the show. Cesar Romero is the best of the bunch as the Joker although he is rivalled pretty closely by Burgess Meredith's Penguin. Lee Meriwether's Catwoman and Frank Gorshin's Riddler don't have as much to do as the others and thus their presence isn't as grand. But with the Joker and Penguin hamming it up for 105, it's just the right ingredients for Batman and Robin to have some hilarious escapades. And that's what they do. Laugh your socks off as no matter what situation they're in, there's always something on the belt for them to use (how many superheroes carry anti-shark repellent?). Quite literally wet yourself with laughter as a rubber shark attacks Batman on a rope ladder against a fake background - I mean this scene is just ridiculously over-the-top it's funny. Break a few ribs with your laughing as Batman tries to dispose of a bomb on a pier. And of course, there's a quality old school Batman fight as our heroes confront the villains and their minions upon their submarine hideout, leading to all manner of "pows" and "thwomps" and generally silly phrases. But the villains don't share the best dialogue - that's left to Batman and Robin. As the Dynamic Duo, Adam West and Burt Ward may have completely type-cast their careers but they're an absolute hoot. West has an uncanny knack of making even the most ridiculous dialogue sound even more ridiculous when delivered in an almost dead-pan like way. And Ward as Robin always brings a tear to the eye with his over-enthusiastic approach to delivering his lines.

Final Verdict: Fans of the TV series will be right at home here. It's a little too long and the camp does wear thin (especially since TV episodes only ran for 30 minutes at a time) but the villains are a hoot and Batman and Robin camp it up big time. For those of you who thought Batman was born with Tim Burton and Michael Keaton, think again!

Rating: