Of all the comic-book heroes we’ve come to know and love, very few can be compared with Batman. With over 80 years of history, the dark knight has found a place in the hearts of many worldwide. However, Batman isn’t limited to just comics, as you can find him in countless tv shows, cartoons, toys, posters, and, most importantly, movies.

Adam West would be the first to portray Batman in a feature-length role, as the success of the Batman TV show led to the production of the film Batman: The Movie.

In this movie, Batman, as well as his sidekick Robin, are extremely campy and goofy. Batman always has a wacky and niche gadget to get out of a tough situation, such as the infamous shark repellent he uses in the film. As for Robin, he constantly yells out his catchphrases, most of which start with ‘holy’ and end with ‘Batman’.

The action in the film is cheesy and unrealistic, but it often works in favor of the film. The ‘pow’ and ‘bam’ effects are now iconic, and effectively emphasise Batman’s comic book origins, as well as his intellect. In this depiction, Batman is always able to solve whatever mystery he is confronted with, calling back to his first appearance in Detective Comics.

The Batman of this film isn’t complicated. He may not be conflicted by his morality or his actions, but his campiness and goofy antics have solidified his place in the hearts of many.