Batman Vs. Two-Face

This direct-to-DVD movie from 2017 is in essence an extended episode of the 1966 Batman series. The villain Two-Face was originally supposed to be featured in the fourth season of the show. But the program had run it's course and was cancelled after 3 years on TV. 

Rumor had it that Clint Eastwood was to have played Two-Face and Harvey Dent had that fourth season been green lit. However, after seeing this, I really think William Shatner would have been the right way to go!

The movie starts with Batman, Robin and Harvey Dent witnessing Dr. Hugo Strange perform an experiment to extract evil from the like of The Joker, Penguin and Riddler. The device overloads and as a result, half of Dent's body is horribly burned by the technology.

Over the course of the opening credits, we see Two-Face's reign of terror on Gotham. Right before the music ends, Batman and Robin catch the fiend. Gee- quick movie, right? 

The meat of the movie has Harvey Dent undergoing surgery to restore his body. But what about his psyche? Demoted to assistant of the assistant District attorney, Dent's ego is clearly bruised. But he seems to be doing beautifully, bringing some of Gotham's worst to justice. However, there's something strange about the crimes being committed. They all seem to have a dual purpose to them. Is Harvey Dent still secretly the villain Two-Face? Or is the straight man being framed?

Even though Harvey Dent's origin wasn't exactly like it was from the comic books, I was pleased with this animated extension on the TV classic. It was seamlessly fun with voices by some of the remaining actors and actresses of the show. Plus, there's quite a few modern additions that while they weren't a part of the 1960s show, DC had added them in the recent run of Batman '66 comics. I've enjoyed those additions and the fun doesn't stop here!

One of my favorite parts of this movie involves Catwoman. The Batman '66 comic book by Jeff Parker established how there was both the Julie Newmar and the Eartha Kitt Catwoman. But what about Lee Meriwether's turn in the Batman live action movie? Well, question no more as that's finally explained in satisfying detail here!

Batman Vs. Two-Face was quite campy, like it was back in the 1960s. But this being rated PG, it was a little on the bawdy side. Though it wasn't too much that the whole family still couldn't enjoy this. 

The artwork was amazing. Great renderings of all the stars back in their heyday, especially William Shatner! 

Sadly, this would be Adam West's last time as the Caped Crusader, succumbing to leukemia sometime last year. That also probably means the end of the Batman '66 franchise. Though I would love a third and final one in which Dick Grayson becomes Nightwing. But who could replace Adam West? 

The answer is nobody and this animated adventure is proof of that!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.