Review of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) by Sidney S — 23 Jun 2013

Batman the Animated Series makes it to the big screen and is it ever big! Mask of the Phantasm is an in depth psychological analysis of our hero when a figures of his past return to haunt him in a way he never could have expected. Timm and Radomski continue the groundbreaking TV series in this film. The apperance of a vigilante known as the Angel of Death murdering mob figures in Gotham, the blame is put on The Dark Knight as he investigates it begins to lead to his past and a stunning revelation of emotion, and doubt.

This is not only the definitive animated movie of the Batman, but also one of the character's defining moments in general. This film delves straight into the mythos of the character as well as the Animated Series itself to bring forth a film that is very dark, very personal. The pacing is great and very mysterious,the animation of the series is retained and does it ever look amazing in a film with a bigger budget. The film as well gives Bruce Wayne a love interest that has more to do with the story than that would seem as well as tying the Phantasm in with Batman's greatest foe, the Joker.

The music fits perfectly with the film and the action scenes are very well done. Batman in the animated series has always been the most true to the comics in terms of his dialogue, actions and intellect. Kevin Conroy is the definitive voice of the character he is purely a genius he gives the character an edge a drive and an emotion like no other voice actor can for the character. His voice has become identified with the role. The exact same can be said about Mark Hamill and voicing the Joker, his Joker's manical laugh is iconic and deadly. The Joker of the animated series has always been dark, gruesome and a psychopath and most of these props go to Hamill's intense voicing of the character. Both have voiced their respective characters in the DCAU, as well as various DC animated film adaptions and most recently the excellent and jaw dropping Batman: Arkham video games.

Mask of the Phantasm from start to its climatic ending and the triumphant final scene is true to the character and as one critic pointed out, he is Gotham's savior truly the way he was meant to be.