Review of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) by Pablo M — 03 Aug 2010

In the early 90's the Fox network premiered an all-new animated series based on the adventures of Gotham City's dark knight detective, Batman. After a couple of successful seasons under their belt, the creators of the "Batman: The Animated Series", Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, and Alan Burnett, decided to try their hand at their first feature length animated film based on the TV series. To many this gamble was an unnecessary waste of money, the thought of many critics was why is Warner Brothers pouring money into advertising an animated movie that would be better off airing on TV rather than premiering in theaters. However, with the release of "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm" those critics were silenced, as audiences of the TV series and Batman in general flocked to theaters to see this new animated movie.

"Batman: Mask of the Phantasm" begins with many of Gotham City's most dangerous gangsters being eliminated. The police have no leads other than at every crime scene the Batman (voiced by Kevin Conroy) is always present, eventually suspicions are aroused that maybe Batman has finally lost it, and is eliminating the criminal element in Gotham once and for all. However, Batman knows that he's not to blame, the problem is the person or being responsible for the murders, known as the Phantasm, is proving difficult to catch, and until he does Batman is #1 on Gotham City's most wanted list. To make matters worse, this new villain is somehow linked to not only Bruce Wayne's past, but also the past of his worst villain, the Joker (voiced by Mark Hamill). Can Batman survive the combined threat of the Phantasm and the Joker, or will this be the dark knight's final night?

Hirley Walker's brooding background music is perfect for this movie - she outclasses every other composer who ever worked on a Batman film. During the opening credits, Walker's title theme is powerful as we see a red sky over a darkened Gotham City, and pass by the towering and foreboding skyscrapers. Her music is especially poignant during many of the flashback sequences, and during the scene when the old World Fair site is completely obliterated. And how about during the last scene in the movie when it shows Batman in deep reflection right before the Bat Signal flashes across the heavens?

My favorite part of the movie is when Bruce Wayne first hears that his fiancee has left him forever, then it cuts to the scene where he's trying on the Batman costume for the first time. A silhouetted Wayne pauses to stare at the mask, contemplating the deep significance that it will have on his life. After he dons the mask, Walker's music erupts in dramatic fashion as the terrifying spectacle of The Dark Knight steps out of the shadows, setting off to begin his unending crusade against evil. Indeed, the sight of Batman coldly narrowing his eyes at Alfred (and the look of awe on Alfred's face) makes this one of my favorite scenes in movie history.

Both the animated series and this movie contain an interesting style of animation that blends modern animation with a very obvious influence of the old-time Max and Dave Fleischer animations of the 1940's. Terrific vocal performances from all of the actors/actresses, some are regulars on the show, such as Kevin Conroy (Bruce Wayne/Batman) and Mark Hamill (Joker), who show again why they are so great. Plus some new vocal talents to the Batman world, Dana Delany and Abe Vigoda.

Some critics and even fans felt that this Batman movie, even the animated series, is two of the best interpretations of Batman outside of the comic book medium. Whatever your feelings are about this series, there is no denying that "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm" is a terrific animated movie that fires on all cylinders from the moment the movie starts and doesn't let up until the credits roll.

I must say this is my favorite animated movie ever, is just incredible to see something so well made, and again the most amazing part is that this is a cartoon, yes Nolan´s new Batman is great,but yet again, there's nothing more faithful to the caped crusader than this . . . .