[BLU-RAY REVIEW] ‘Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders’

One of the great things about a character like Batman is how they can morph and change in ways, appealing to different viewers. Just this year, we had Zack Snyder’s gritty version in Batman v Superman, a brief appearance in Suicide Squad, and an R rated version in Batman: the Killing Joke. To be perfectly frank, I didn’t care for any of those films but, fortunately, DC and Warner Brothers have now released a Batman movie for me, in Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders.

I had the chance to see Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders in the theaters and was charmed by its satirical and sweet take on the comic book movie genre. Now, I have it on Blu-Ray and am enjoying it even more on the re-watch.

Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders is based on the 1966 Batman TV show, but in this case it is animated. This is an old-fashioned Batman, a Batman that sees morality in black & white, and must always do the right thing no matter what.  He is also faced with his four most popular villains: Catwoman, Penguin, Riddler, and Joker.

The story is very silly but the animation is lovely, and it was fun to see the gadgets and all the labels, which are so iconic in the original show. We also get the original actors doing voice work including Adam West, Burt Ward, and Julie Nemar back in their roles as Batman, Robin and Catwoman.

The story is a bit episodic and outstays its welcome a little bit but, for the most part, I was really entertained by Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders. I think if you are a Batman fan you will enjoy it as well. At the very least, it is something refreshingly different.

Bonus Features ✮✮✮

The Blu-Ray of the film looks beautiful in HD. You also receive a Digital HD code and a DVD with purchase. The special features are simple but well made:

• Those Dastardly Desperados – this 10 minute behind the scenes featurette tells us about the idea behind Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders with interviews from the cast and crew. Their affection for this version of Batman is clear and it was a lot of fun to hear them talk about their experiences with the film.
• A Classic Cadre of Voices – If you like voice acting, this is a short for you. The actors talk about their approach to the voices and what it is like to record a session.

Final Thoughts

After a year of dark and sad Batman movies, it was nice to break free from that and watch Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders. On Blu-Ray it may be even more impressive with the backgrounds and colors looking all the more vibrant. It is a satire, not a parody, that will definitely give you some laughs. I really had a good time with it.

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Edited by: Kajsa Rain Forden