Customer Reviews

Batman - Return to the Batcave

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I bought this a few weeks ago and I must say it was very interesting. While not nearly as funny as the original Batman show, I liked the flashbacks to what was going on in Adam West's and Burt Ward's respective lives during those days! Some may have been shocked by Adam and Burt's former womanizing but to me, that humanized even more in my eyes and I applaud them for having the guts to admit that.

Anyway, for those familiar with the old series, this is a fun romp as they try to solve who stoled the Batmobile! Still, I wish they could've done it a few years earlier while the two other main villians were still alive. By that, I am refering to Ceasar Romero (The Joker) and Burgess Merideth (The Penguin). Since this film was made, Frank Gorshin (The Riddler) has passed on though I am not sure about Julie Newmar as I think she's still alive (I know that Earth Kitt still is as she's also a former Catwoman).

On a personal note, I also have to applaud whoever picked the actors that portrayed the younger versions of Adam and Burt (especially Burt as it was dead on)! I noticed they did had to pad the stomach a bit for the actor who played Adam West because was physically in much better shape than Adam ever was! LOL!

I also liked the hip-hop version of the old Batman theme. It was an updated take on it BUT still true and respectful to the old theme as well as the more disco type one they played when Adam and Burt first put on their costumes for the first day of shooting. While I have nothing against rap and such, many times they tailor it to "being real" and that nonsense! I am glad whoever made those two pieces of music stayed true to the spirit of the show.

Finally, the references to Lyle Waggoner, the man that ALMOST got to play Batman! I liked seeing that rare footage of his screen test and the fact they almost went with the OLD SCHOOL costume (which was the same as Adam's only it was a big black bat on the chest/must like you see now on the Justice League Unlimited cartoon)!

If you buy this feature, then may I recommend you buy BATMAN - THE MOVIE from the 60's with it. And if you do, watch the movie first and I would recommend watching it at least once with the alternative commentary with Adam and Burt as much of what they talk about on that DVD is on the "Return" DVD! This way, you'll have a better understanding of "Return To The Batcave."

On its own, its a great experience for those who remember the series fondly but may be hard for newer fans to follow. I'd recommend it to die-hard Batman fans or to those that really want to know about the 60's TV show.

It's not a "movie" but a reunion show of the corniest kind. I loved every minute of it! Always good to see Adam West and Burt Ward together. I remember as a kid meeting Burt Ward in the Robin costume, and asking the dumbest questions! The campy show may have ruined the darkness that Batman was supposed to be (although resurrected by Frank Miller) but the show was a fun romp as is this reunion special.

Before I begin, I will admit that I am biased. I have always liked Batman in his many appearances. (This includes the Adam West episodes of the 60s, the movies with Michael Keaton, and the version with Val Kilmer. Not to mention the phenomenal animated episodes where Kevin Conroy voiced Batman. (And many famous actors like Mark Hamil, Paul Williams, and Michael York, provided voices for villains.) This also includes the animated movie where Batman exchanges harsh words and punches with Superman. I even liked the Scooby Doo video where Batman and Robin made a guest appearance. And of course the surprisingly frightening 'Return of the Joker.') Well, now to the subject at hand. This is ofcourse a reunion show. But this movie really takes an interesting approach. It throws in an adventure, where we see Adam and Burt have to once again prove themselves heroes. Keeping with the reunion, the key to the mystery lies in their past. And they exchange stories of the past that almost never get dull. Some of these stories include Bert's financial hardships before he got the role, Adam and Bert's first look at the Batcave and Batmobile, Bert's frequent visits to the hospital, how Cesar Romero (The Joker) refused to shave his mustache, some bad publicity the show faced, Bert's shattered marriage, the coming of Batgirl, up until the tragic ending of the series. Perhaps the best thing about this movie is that while it stays with the campy pattern of the 60s episodes, there are a mix of emotions in the stories. Some will make you laugh, while others may make you very sad, or even surprise you. But funny, suspenseful, sad, or surprising, THERE IS NOT A DULL MOMENT! While there is a very sad element in seeing why the series was cancelled, we can also know that this was but a temporary setback for Batman. For Batman not only returned in Burton's movies, but he also came back in a phenomenal animated series, and there is to be yet another Batman movie in the theatre soon. Now of course, if you are not a Batman fan, then this movie is probably not for you. But if you are a Batman fan, you ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE THIS MOVIE. I find it only fit to conclude by giving a big thanks to Adam West and Bert Ward. Not only was your series great, but without you, Burton's movies would not have existed, the animated series wouldn't have existed, and the animated movies wouldn't have existed. Maybe one day Batman will put the people who cancelled the series behind bars.

I must admit to not having bought this DVD as yet but I do remember seeing the reunion special on TV awhile back. The "plot" of the reunion show, aka the stolen Batmobile, was a little silly but I give the producers credit for wanting to do something other than just having Adam and Burt stand around reminiscing. It was nice to see these two guys doing well and enjoying talking about the old days. Die-hard fans of the old TV show will enjoy this immensely, but I doubt it will have that much appeal to non-fans.

What REALLY needs to happen though, is for Fox and Warner to get their collective heads out of their you-know-whats, come to an agreeement on licensing and get the three seasons' worth of the Batman TV show on DVD. Lord knows there are a lot of people who want it, including yours truly. Quit being so frickin greedy, both of you, and get it done.

Seeing as I'm a huge Bat-Fan (hence the name), I was immensely entertained by this here Reunion flick. The chemistry between Adam & Burt is still as strong as it was back in the 60's, and the "flashback" cuts are pretty comical sometimes. Not the best Batman movie ever, but it's cool to have if you love the old TV show like me.

To the owners of the t.v. series starring adam west and burt ward: Please, please put the show on dvd soon, so we can share this wonderful show with our children before they grow up. It was done so well, good clean humor and it's obvious the actors are enjoying making the show. I will pre-order the moment you decide to release.

This DVD is awesome. A couple of years ago this was on TV and I loved it. It stars of course Adam West as: Adam West Burt Ward as: Burt Ward Julie Newmar as: Catwoman Lee Meriweather as: A Waitress. This movie is basically about Adam and Burt going to a museum which has the Batmobile in it. Then someone mysteriously steals the Batmobile and Burt and Adam are trying to find the Mysterious Batnapper. They also tell stories of the Batman Series back in the day. They run into Julie Newmar on the way. If you are a fan of her and are expecting her to be in the movie, she isn't in it much, just the middle and end so... Lee Meriweather has a tiny part also she just shows up in a resteraunt as a waitress and then is gone. Thats all for now but remember tomorrow night same BatTime same BatChannel... !

Growing up in the 60's and watching Batman series, which I knew was corny, campy but cool, this movie is sort of a story, plot documentry using flashbacks that Adam West & Burt Ward have throughout the movie. I enjoyed it very much, and now know that the dynamic duo were also dynamic womanizers. This is a great movie for anyone who grew up watching the Batman episodes with a towel cape around his or her neck. The actors who portray the dynamic duo in the flashbacks are dead ringers as well. Delightfully done !
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Forget the Schumacher debacles, a NEW era has dawned -- BATMAN is back and not a moment too soon!!! Tragedy strikes when the legendary Batmobile -- er, Tumbler, I mean -- is stolen from a charity auto show, forcing the Dynamic Duo out of retirement and into the streets to find the pilfering perpetrators and bring the classy chassis home!

Endlessly clever and brimming with fun, RETURN TO THE BAT-CAVE: THE MISADVENTURES OF ADAM AND BURT is sure to please BAT boosters of all ages; the film the fans have been waiting for has FINALLY arrived!!!

As a fan of the Batman TV series which ran on ABC from 1966-1968, I had to get this. This is a campy movie that is certainly meant to be a substitute for a DVD release of the TV series, which might never happen due to having to make royalty payments to the approximately 250 guest stars and/or their estates. With so much money being shelled out to the actors and actresses, there would be little to no profit for the distributor of the TV series (this is how I see it, anyway). I have all 120 episodes of the TV series on DVD anyway, but just not with the crystal clear picture that one would expect if the series was officially released on DVD, with extras, etc. Anyway, if you like the TV series, you should find this movie funny and corny. The TV series was definitely corny, but it got cornier and cornier as time went on, beginning with the second season and getting flat out ridiculous in the third season, though it was still a great show. The best season, in my opinion, was the first season, from January 1966 to May 1966. It was a good balance of serious drama and humor, and was the least corny of the three seasons.

Return To The Batcave (2003) features Jack Brewer, Jason Mardsen, Adam West (Bruce Wayne/Batman, Burt Ward (Dick Grayson/Robin), Julie Newmar (The Catwoman), Frank Gorshin (The Riddler), Lee Meriwether (The Catwoman from the 1966 movie), Betty White, Curtis Armstrong, and Lyle Waggoner (the second choice to play Bruce Wayne/Batman in the TV series). Adam West is funny in this. He's a funny guy, period. He and Burt Ward still have good chemistry after all these years. Julie Newmar still looks good. I met her two years ago at Motor City Comic Con and got her autograph. In addition to having an original plot, this movie also delves into the controversies, scandals, and battle of egos that went on behind the scenes during the TV show's three season run on ABC.

Overall, this is an entertaining, lighthearted flick that is very unique. I recommend it to all fans of the classic TV show. Will the TV show ever be released on DVD?