Blu-ray review: William Shatner Joins Adam West & Burt Ward In BATMAN VS TWO-FACE
Batman Vs Two-Face is sadly the late Adam West’s swan-song as The Caped Crusader, but the iconic star goes out on a high with this animated adventure. Following on from 2016’s The Return Of The Caped Crusaders (read the Movies In Focus review), Batman Vs Two-Face sees the Dynamic Duo face-off against former Gotham City District Attorney Harvey Dent. It’s the first time that West’s Batman and Burt Ward’s Robin have come face-to-face with the double-sided villain (he never appeared in the original 1960s TV show) and it’s made even more exciting because Two-Face is voiced by the one and only William Shatner!
A loving homage to the classic ‘60s show, Batman Vs Two-Face is also great at continuing the narrative of that cult hit. It’s well toned (funny without ever making fun of its subject) and there’s plenty for fans new and old alike to enjoy. The animation perfectly brings to life the look and style of the original show (and it’s rogue’s gallery), while Shatner’s Harvey Dent is a pitch-perfect representation of how the star looked in his youth.
Rick Morales’ film gives a new back story to Dent’s disfigurement – it happens when a machine constructed by Doctor Hugo Strange, called an ‘Evil Extractor’ malfunctions and explodes, injuring Dent and setting him off on his life of crime. It features cameos from the usual suspects (Joker, Penguin, Riddler, Egghead, Mr. Freeze and others), while also offering up some solid moments for King Tut, Bookworm and Catwoman (once again voice by Julie Newmar). There’s a vibrant jazz-inspired score, while the film also has an interesting homage to Bernard Herrmann and Alfred Hitchcock’s work in North By Northwest in the last act.
A fun romp, Batman Vs Two-Face is the perfect way for Adam West to bow-out as Batman and he once again delivers a performance which again reminds us why he became so iconic as The Caped Crusader.
Special Features
Batman Vs Two-Face includes new interviews with Burt Ward (who discusses his relationship with West and his pet rescue interests!) and Julie Newmar However, the stand-out extra might just be a panel from SDCC, which includes Lee Meriwether (Catwoman in 1966’s Batman: The Movie), director Kevin Smith, Ralph Garman and James Tucker. The panel discusses their relationship with Adam West and why he became some beloved by generations of Bat-fans. You also get some trailers for other animated DC Comics movies. Good stuff.
