Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders

Batfans who pine for the halcyon days of the 1960s, when the Caped Crusader was more dork than Dark Knight, will get a real kick out of this animated return to the colourful camp of the Batman TV show. Fortunately, original stars Adam West and Burt Ward are also back to offer their inimitable voice talents as the Dynamic Duo, who are here called in to thwart a classic quartet of "felonious fiends" in the Riddler, Penguin, Joker and that "dominatrix of deviltry", the Catwoman (voiced by the character's most purrfect incarnation, Julie Newmar). It's a fabulous retro-adventure that's lovingly steeped in the gimmickry, style and knowing humour of the series: Bat paraphernalia like the Batmobile, Batphone and Batpole; the unmistakeable "na na na na na na" theme tune; ludicrous amounts of alliteration and Robin's corny "Holy..." exclamations. The film-makers know their stuff and even throw in a wholly unexpected villain who threatens to destroy Batman and the Boy Wonder once and for all. Admittedly, the animation is a tad functional but happily the same can't be said about the rest of this joyous romp.