Alyas Batman en Robin (1993)

Trash Palace

DVD-R

Web: http://www.trashpalace.com

Alyas Batman en Robin is an unauthorized 1993 Filipino musical comedy directed by Tony Y. Reyes and produced by Regal Films. It is a parody of the 1960s Batman television series starring comedian Joey de Leon as Batman, he is a very popular Filipino comedian and television presenter who has been involved in various spoofs including Sheman: Mistress of the Universe and the Starzan films, he has also penned some very successful Filipino hit songs included "Boyfriend kong Baduy" (My Geeky Boyfriend) and "Iskul Bukol" (School Lump). Keempee Reyeshis plays Robin and Dawn Zulueta as Wonder Woman. There are a range of Batman’s traditional enemies including The Joker, The Penguin, who are portrayed respectively by Filipino comedians Rene Requiestas and Panchito Alba.

The film is a very madcap comedy and doesn’t take itself seriously, ranging from the strange sets (including Batman movie posters in the Bat Cave) to the musical numbers. The score to the film has to be heard to be believed; the songs include “Pretty Woman,” “Let’s Go To The Hop,” and “Surfin’ USA,” with modded lyrics such as Holy cow, Batman and Robin!”

The film is slow to start but as it gets going it is truly insane. The Caped Crusaders are brothers who live in Manila. The older brother lives in a mansion which looks well; have a look at the art and make up your mind. The young brother is a local sports hero adored by all the girls and who likes to run around shirtless to keep their attention up. Their life is made a misery as Manila is scandalized by brazen attacks by three very, very evil villains - The Joker, The Penguin and Cat Women. At the same time these villains while obviously evil seem to have a damn good time, they like to break into song, even when robbing banks !

Alyas Batman en Robin is a superbly silly and camp Batman send-up. It does everything absolutely wrong and this just makes it work all the better. The soundtrack sounds like it has been recorded from a cheap tape deck, the costumes are suitably dreadful and the fight scenes are truly embarrassing. What is most amusing is that all these elements look like they have been filmed on a home camera in locations owned by friends or relatives and at times public places. This gives the whole film a truly surreal film, an obviously low budget film yet with a look and feel of reality.

This is certainly one of the most unusual Batman films you will ever see and every minute is a marvellous surprise. While it is in Tagalog with some English and doesn’t come with subtitles, don’t worry too much, it is very visual and easy to follow !

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This review will appear in Volume 3 No.2 of the digital and print edition of Synergy Magazine.

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