Batman: The Movie takes the campy 1960's TV series and puts it into a full-length feature film. Unfortunately I haven't had the chance to see this classic flick since I was very young, so when the opportunity arose to review a UMD version of this film, I jumped on it.
Batman follows the dynamic duo as they attempt to foil the plans of the United Underground. This collection of "Super Criminals" is made up of Catwoman, Joker, The Riddler and Penguin and they plan to do nothing less than take over the world with their newly stolen Dehydration Gun.
Adam West (Batman/Bruce Wayne) and Burt Ward (Robin/Dick Grayson) play the heroes as only they can (for good or bad). The slightly off series ran for several years and had a very distinct style that continues into the movie. Everything from the slanted camera angle of the villain's lair to The Riddler's criminal conundrums to Robin's constant spouting of "Holy" statements.
This UMD also has a couple of special features. These include commentary that has the two superhero stars talking about their experiences making the movie while you watch the fiendish plot unravel. The "Batmobile Revealed" featurette is a short film hosted by George Barris as he talks about the vehicle's start as a 1955 Lincoln Futura Concept Car.
The third feature is an interview with West, Ward and other members of the cast and crew. Here they will talk about the short filming, the various new vehicles (the Batcopter, Batboat, Batcycle, etc.) and various other aspects of the movie that fans would love to find out. One of the stories even includes Ward's casting call and how he didn't even know he had the part for several weeks while wardrobe called him asking what his shoe size, glove size and head circumference was.
Any fan of the classic flick or original series has got to get this version of it. The special features are entertaining enough to satisfy pretty much any enthusiast, and those who haven't seen the movie will laugh at some of the more comical scenes found throughout the story.
If you haven't seen Batman :The Movie, you owe it to yourself to check out this UMD. Until then, same Bat time, same Bat channel!