As far as animated, lighthearted Batman adventures go, "Return of the Caped Crusaders" was the best '16 spawned and far eclipsed the on-its-heels "Lego Batman Movie", which for whatever confounding reason gained a widespread, theatrical release over the former.
To most fans (young or old alike), "Return" was a joy-beyond-joy experience and as such had big shoes to fill,. So, does the highly anticipated sequel, "Batman vs Two-Face" rise to the occasion? Well, it's not as bold as the first re-entry, but still an honorable companion piece. The thing is, I (and I'm sure many others) expected an adaptation of Harlan Ellison's long-thought "lost episode" as the basis for the film, especially since it was recently adapted as a DC graphic novel. With that not being the case, "Batman vs Two-Face", directed by "Return'"s Rick Morales and written by its writers, Michael Jelenic and James Tucker, becomes (for better or worse) a "lost-and found", movie-length episode of an entirely different kind.
To its advantage, West and Ward again vocalize Bruce and Dick/Batman and Robin, though there's underlying sadness here, since West passed away only a few months prior. Nevertheless, we do have William Shatner adding to the gaudy glee, portraying Harvey Dent/Two-Face (in a role that some claim West had hoped Clint Eastwood would have played if only filmed in the '60s). Shatner's contrasting tones work well for the character(s), with a signature approach for Dent and a rough, mean one for Two-Face. In animated form, Dent also resembles a '60s version of Shatner: ideal for the nostalgic atmosphere.
In this instance, Dent's transformation comes via a Hugo Strange Jekyll/Hyde lab mishap. In his traditional mode, Two-Face mistakenly goes after Batman (and Robin) to avenge his horrid alteration, but receives a rehabilitative "cure", which initially links to the clever King Tut: a delusional two-face in his own right. Throughout it all, we come face-to-face with a string of familiar personas and on-target voices which enhance the coin-flipping villain's anguished caper.
There's Julie Newmar reprising her role as Catwoman, joined by movie Catwoman Lee Meriweather as Lucille Diamond, manipulative public defender. Desmond Dumas supplies the voices of Joker, Bookworm and the film's narrator; Wally Wingert that of the Riddler and King Tut; and William Saylers as Penguin. In addition to voicing Strange, Jim Ward costars as Commissioner Gordon; Thomas Lennon as Chief O'Hara; Lynne Marie Stewart as Aunt Harriet; Steven Weber as Alfred Pennyworth and a Two-Face thug, plus we get a special-guest appearance from Sirena Irwin's Dr. Quinzel (Harley Quinn yet-to-be).
Holy stupendous line-up, indeed! Of course, "Return" offers every bit as much in this regard, which puts "Batman vs Two-Face" at a second-comer disadvantage. What we're basically given in Two-Face's retold reign of crime is a long, cameo cavalcade, accompanied by nods and spoofs of literary duality and a mental twist that puts an envious Robin (as well as all of Gotham) at a hideous disadvantage: clever, but not enough to elevate this sequel over its predecessor.
Otherwise, in its brightness and throwback staging, "Batman vs Two-Face" makes for a speedy and fulfilling chunk of fun. It could also further paved the way for additional "Batman '66" animated movies, but without West, we can only anticipate an imitator to occupy his spot. That'll work, but if there's anything "Batman vs Two-Face" confirms, it's an official end to a sentimental era, of which West was a most essential part.
("Batman vs Two-Face" is now accessible per any number of home-viewing options and will be available on disc Oct 17.)
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