Login
In Gotham City, a mysterious vigilante assassin known as the Phantasm begins stalking and killing notorious criminals while donning an outfit that resembles the Grim Reaper. Mistakenly believing that Batman (Kevin Conroy) is responsible for the murders, the public turns against the Caped Crusader while City Councilman Arthur Reeves (Hart Bochner) orders Batman's arrest, though Commissioner James Gordon (Bob Hastings) refuses to believe the allegations or participate in the crusade. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne's former flame, Andrea Beaumont (Dana Delany), returns to Gotham after a decade, compelling Bruce to reflect on his past. Before Bruce donned the cape and cowl, he met Andrea and pursued a romantic relationship with her while developing an interest in vigilante crime fighting. Bruce considers the prospect of permanently halting his vigilante activities to marry Andrea, but she suddenly leaves the city and calls off the engagement, prompting the heartbroken Bruce to assume the mantle of Batman.
With a screenplay credited to four writers, including Batman: The Animated Series mainstays Paul Dini and Alan Burnett, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm borrows from Frank Miller's Batman: Year One comic book miniseries, as the feature reveals Batman's origins that are intrinsically connected to the Phantasm narrative. It is a fascinating storytelling device that deepens Batman's character, making the film feel more personal and emotional as it explores Bruce's vulnerable side. The film gets into Bruce's head as the billionaire pines over lost love and questions his vow to his deceased parents, giving the story more dramatic impact. However, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish the flashbacks from the present-day narrative (perhaps different colour grading for these sections could have remedied this), and the flashbacks occasionally drag on for too long, but this is a minor misstep that is less problematic during repeat viewings. Running at an economical 78 minutes, Mask of the Phantasm is lean and fast-paced, benefitting from superb storytelling efficiency. Burnett sought to devise a story without relying on the show's rogues gallery, as the script only incorporates one familiar villain in the Joker (Mark Hamill), who plays a crucial and logical role in the narrative.
Warner Bros. initially intended Batman: Mask of the Phantasm to be a straight-to-video feature but decided to release the movie in cinemas to capitalise on the character's popularity after Batman Returns hit cinemas a year prior. Due to the accelerated production schedule and meagre $6 million budget, Mask of the Phantasm lacks the precise motion and visual authority of a big-budget animation feature, but the animators compensate for this with a gorgeous, compelling sense of style. Retaining the acclaimed aesthetic approach of Batman: The Animated Series, the feature takes its cues from cartoons and film noirs from the '30s and '40s with a striking Art Deco presentation and intriguing use of shadows, giving the film more visual gravitas than a simplistic children's cartoon. With a higher budget than the television show, Mask of the Phantasm does deliver impressive set pieces, including a computer-generated tour of Gotham City during the opening credits and several engaging action sequences. Although it lacks the scope of big-budget Batman adventures, the action scenes are hard-hitting and enjoyable, with genuine stakes supplementing the spectacle. Meanwhile, composer Shirley Walker (the main composer for Batman: The Animated Series) provides an atmospheric, evocative score that sounds distinct while borrowing motifs from Danny Elfman's compositions for Tim Burton's Batman films.
The key voice actors from Batman: The Animated Series reprise their roles here, including Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as Alfred Pennyworth, Bob Hastings as Commissioner Gordon, and Robert Costanzo as Detective Harvey Bullock, while Arleen Sorkin (the voice of Harley Quinn) also contributes in an uncredited bit part. For many, these actors represent the definitive version of their respective characters, and it is hard to disagree. As Batman/Bruce Wayne, the late Kevin Conroy is in a league of his own, providing a charismatic Bruce and deep-voiced Batman. Conroy sounds like the Caped Crusader and is a terrific actor, with his line deliveries never sounding robotic or detached. Equally excellent is fan favourite Mark Hamill as the Joker. Hamill is the Joker, committing to the role with such abandon that Star Wars fans will not recognise him, and he threatens to steal the show. Dana Delaney is another fantastic addition as Andrea Beaumont, and the actress later took on the role of Lois Lane in Superman: The Animated Series. Supporting roles in the ensemble appreciably elevate the material, with the filmmakers selecting notable veteran performers to portray small but crucial roles. For example, Stacy Keach (The Long Riders, American History X) plays Andrea's father, while Abe Vigoda (The Godfather) and Dick Miller (Gremlins, The Terminator) appear as mob bosses.
Exploring Bruce Wayne's humanity in a dramatically effective way, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm tells a personal story about the Caped Crusader while remaining wholly respectful of the character and source material, and without devolving into a cheesy melodrama. Instead of a simple action adventure, it is an atmospheric noir mystery featuring the world's greatest detective. As a result, it is one of the best animated superhero movies in history, and it exceeds most live-action Batman flicks, making it must-see viewing for genre enthusiasts. Fortunately, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm also succeeds as a standalone story and does not require intimate familiarity with Batman: The Animated Series, but it is an ideal entry point into the iconic television show. With its compelling storytelling, striking visuals, and terrific voice acting, Mask of the Phantasm is worth 78 minutes of your time.
8.2/10
