Review of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) by James S — 08 Aug 2008

There have been many Batman movies over the last 20 years. Some have been brilliant, some have been good and some have been utter pants. This is solidly towards the upper end of the scale.

Boasting a tight plot, an excellent script and genuine tension you rarely find in animated superhero features, Mask of Phantasm takes a cool and original look at Bruce Wayne pre Batman and offers a new side to a well told story. Running at a meagre 75 minutes, the film spends no time messing about, this is action from the get go and doesn't let up.

Mark Hamill's Joker is a cross between Heath Ledger's definitive take and Stewie Griffin from Family Guy and is tremendously good fun.

The film packs so many great plot twists that it almost seems a waste that such a great script has been used for an animated movie. No matter though, now we have Batman Begins and The Dark Knight cementing the caped crusaders celluloid status, this is the animated equivalent.