Review of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) by Ike O — 06 Sep 2009

An excellent Batman adventure that stays true to its source material and explores its central themes with depth and intelligence, making it easily the smartest and deepest theatrical adaptation of the character in the pre-Nolan era.

There are some plot holes, specifically at the end (how does he clear his name again?) and the mystery, on second viewing, isn't that hard to decipher (it *is* for kids, after all), but that hardly detracts from what the story is going for. Slickly told in present day and flashbacks, it manages to be engrossing, entertaining, and actually heartbreaking.

The scene of Bruce Wayne, crying at his parents' grave (of course, in the rain) and begging to be released from his vow because "it doesn't hurt so much anymore" and - quite wrenchingly - that he "never expected to be happy" is the emotional centerpiece not just of the film, but of the entire Batman mythos. The fact that he believes this is his mantle, and his grief and guilt won't allow him to see that his parents would have wanted him to move on and be happy, illustrates perfectly the character of a billionaire playboy who would rather beat criminals to a pulp than live his life. And the final scenes of the film, with Batman holding the locket on the ledge, and the final words "I *am* alone" emphasize the vigilante's lot in life.

The animation is a bit dated, and sure his origin story is nowhere near as awesomely badass as in Batman Begins (probably the definitive Batman film), it still eclipses Joel Schumacher by a country mile and even edges out Tim Burton's stuff. Plus Mark Hamil (aka Luke Skywalker) makes such a perfect Joker - much better and truer than Jack Nicholson's. Unsurprisingly, though, no one touches Heath Ledger.