Batman: Mask of the PhantasmDon't think you're alone in the way that you deal with grief. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is an animated superhero movie about the eponymous caped crusader and his run-in with a mysterious, lethal vigilante who is offing mob bosses in a mission of vengeance that bears a resemblance to his own. Meanwhile, Batman's alter ego, Bruce Wayne, reminisces on a long lost love named Andrea Beaumont, and how the fires of their erstwhile passion were ultimately fated to be extinguished, leading to Bruce becoming Batman. And these two stories cross when Andrea comes back to Gotham City.
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Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is based on the groundbreaking "Batman: The Animated Series", created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, who provides the character designs. The film draws from the style of the series, embracing an amalgam of styles in its depiction of Gotham City, ranging from the pulp era of the source material's early days, to the urban gothic/art deco fusion (or "dark deco") born from Tim Burton's live action superhero film, Batman. Batman/Bruce Wayne is voiced by the legendary Kevin Conroy, whose performance could be described as no less than iconic. Not to be outdone, however, The Joker--who appears late into Mask of the Phantasm (in somewhat Harry Lyme fashion)--is voiced by Mark Hamill in a performance equally as memorable as his turn as Luke Skywalker in Star Wars. Their performances as these comic book icons have been so memorable, that they reprised their roles in the acclaimed "Arkham" series of Batman video games. Conroy gives his character two distinct voices, which makes Bruce seem both good-natured, brave, but ultimately softer than his crime-fighting counterpart, whose deep voice and unflinching courage intimidates all but the most hardened of criminals. Conversely, Hamill's Joker is a witty interpretation of the "Clown Prince of Crime", whose humor is a bit dryer and more cynical than others who have depicted him; and his characteristic laugh is unmistakable. Even though Joker plays a comparatively small part in Mask of the Phantasm, it is a crucial one, and the film even goes so far as to take the opportunity to explore his origins within the DC Animated Universe (DCAU) here as well as Batman's.
As with the animated series, Mask of the Phantasm is structured around a larger conflict, with a supporting plot that collides at the climax. The film borrows some details about Batman's origins from the comics, but makes it unique and fresh both for neophytes to Batman and fans of the series, which heretofore didn't explore Bruce Wayne's transformation into Batman in great detail, favoring a more episodic approach. As Bruce recalls while he stares up at a portrait of his deceased parents, he was already preparing to embark on a path of aggression against the kinds of criminals who slew Thomas and Martha Wayne. But when Bruce visits his parents' grave, he meets Andrea for the first time, finding that she is a beautiful, clever woman who proves to be every bit the match for the young billionaire. Unfortunately, Andrea's own father, Carl Beaumont, is in deep with a bunch of gangsters--coincidentally the same gangsters who the masked avenger (a.k.a. "Phantasm") has been hunting down and executing. Batman either intervenes or arrives after the fact in each instance, and has little to go on for evidence save for some chemical residue that the Phantasm's smoke trail leaves behind. (Considering Batman is also known as the "world's greatest detective", one wonders why he didn't make the connection about their common link after the second crime boss got offed.) While Batman stalks the rooftops of Gotham for signs of the Phantasm, he also spies on Andrea and her apparent relationship with her new beau, a scummy city official named Arthur Reeves, who has a nigh-pathological hatred of Batman. Bruce recalls how Andrea's love made him reconsider his vendetta against crime and opened his heart once more to warmth since the killing of his parents. After rushing to the defense of a man being victimized by bikers, this younger Bruce Wayne acknowledges to his loyal butler and voice of reason, Alfred, that knowing that Andrea will be waiting for him after his nocturnal patrols will always keep him from fighting to his fullest. However, he is still prepared to abandon all of this even before taking on the mantle of Batman to be with her. But this flashback was doomed from the start, and when tragedy strikes, Bruce Wayne's heart is shattered; it is from this pain that he walks the line o'er the abyss as a dark hero. But it is his strength of character and discipline that makes him rise above being a murderer like the Phantasm. When Batman fights the Phantasm, he is facing down something darker within himself--something that makes all the difference between a hero and a terror.
Recommended for: Fans of a stylish and intelligent animated superhero film, which takes its style from the masterpiece that was (in my humble opinion) the greatest animated series ever made. Despite the dark tone, mature themes, and tension that permeates the subject matter--as was the case with the series--the strong story and characters makes Mask of the Phantasm suitable for audiences of almost any age.
As with the animated series, Mask of the Phantasm is structured around a larger conflict, with a supporting plot that collides at the climax. The film borrows some details about Batman's origins from the comics, but makes it unique and fresh both for neophytes to Batman and fans of the series, which heretofore didn't explore Bruce Wayne's transformation into Batman in great detail, favoring a more episodic approach. As Bruce recalls while he stares up at a portrait of his deceased parents, he was already preparing to embark on a path of aggression against the kinds of criminals who slew Thomas and Martha Wayne. But when Bruce visits his parents' grave, he meets Andrea for the first time, finding that she is a beautiful, clever woman who proves to be every bit the match for the young billionaire. Unfortunately, Andrea's own father, Carl Beaumont, is in deep with a bunch of gangsters--coincidentally the same gangsters who the masked avenger (a.k.a. "Phantasm") has been hunting down and executing. Batman either intervenes or arrives after the fact in each instance, and has little to go on for evidence save for some chemical residue that the Phantasm's smoke trail leaves behind. (Considering Batman is also known as the "world's greatest detective", one wonders why he didn't make the connection about their common link after the second crime boss got offed.) While Batman stalks the rooftops of Gotham for signs of the Phantasm, he also spies on Andrea and her apparent relationship with her new beau, a scummy city official named Arthur Reeves, who has a nigh-pathological hatred of Batman. Bruce recalls how Andrea's love made him reconsider his vendetta against crime and opened his heart once more to warmth since the killing of his parents. After rushing to the defense of a man being victimized by bikers, this younger Bruce Wayne acknowledges to his loyal butler and voice of reason, Alfred, that knowing that Andrea will be waiting for him after his nocturnal patrols will always keep him from fighting to his fullest. However, he is still prepared to abandon all of this even before taking on the mantle of Batman to be with her. But this flashback was doomed from the start, and when tragedy strikes, Bruce Wayne's heart is shattered; it is from this pain that he walks the line o'er the abyss as a dark hero. But it is his strength of character and discipline that makes him rise above being a murderer like the Phantasm. When Batman fights the Phantasm, he is facing down something darker within himself--something that makes all the difference between a hero and a terror.
Recommended for: Fans of a stylish and intelligent animated superhero film, which takes its style from the masterpiece that was (in my humble opinion) the greatest animated series ever made. Despite the dark tone, mature themes, and tension that permeates the subject matter--as was the case with the series--the strong story and characters makes Mask of the Phantasm suitable for audiences of almost any age.