Review of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) by Kris L — 22 Mar 2011

A vigilante assassin is on the prowl, killing mob bosses. It leads to Batman getting the blame for these murders, but what separates Batman from this new assassin is that Batman never kills those that he has to apprehend. This puzzles Commissioner Gordon who firmly believes that Batman isn't responsible. But who is?

Bruce Wayne's troubling past rears it's ugly head when a woman named Andrea returns to Gotham. She and Bruce started seeing each other around the time when Bruce was in the midst of becoming his alter ego Batman. However, with Andrea's father in debt with three mob bosses, she's stuck with having to escape with her father leaving Bruce behind with the very engagement ring he gave her. This crushed Bruce and must have also fueled his plans in becoming Batman.

So, with her back, it brings a lot of questions about why? Even the Joker, who played a role in murdering her father, wants to know. It all becomes too obvious when it's revealed who the assassin is, but somehow makes for an interesting plot device by shifting the villain off onto the originator: The Joker. The movie doesn't appear to be what it says it is and not only does that make it smart, complex, but also entertaining.

This isn't an animated family friendly film. Teenagers and young adults will enjoy it's old school style.