Batman: Mask of the phantasm (1993)

 

Genre: Action/Family        Time: 1h 16mins        Directors: Bruce Timm, Eric Radomski

Quick Summary: When a powerful criminal who is connected to Bruce Wayne's ex-girlfriend blames the Dark Knight for killing a crime lord, Batman decides to fight against him.

Phantasm’s plot revolves around a ghoulish new villain in Gotham City with some resemblance to Batman, going around and picking off mob bosses. Doing so in a way that leaves eye witnesses distraught and placing blame on our hero. This leaves Batman and Bruce obsessive, trying not only to clear themselves from the suspect light but also figure out why such specific targeted victims. When one of Gotham’s now retired crime bosses, Salvatore Valestra (Abe Vigoda) reads in the paper that Batman may be targeting his type, he seeks in desperation the help of The Joker (Mark Hamill) hoping to eliminate the threat. Parallel to this is the return to Gotham of Bruce’s former lover Andrea Beaumont (Dana Delany), who we learn in one of many flashbacks was as good as engaged to Bruce until mysteriously vanishing from Gotham without an answer.

Originally planned to go direct-to-video, Warner Bros. decided for a theatrical release shortly into production, and while the animation makes some adjustments for the new widescreen format, the music is what really gives the film a cinematic quality. The choral sound is used to amazing effect, creating gentle transitions into the past or going in the opposite direction and heightening the emotions throughout the film. 

The hazy color pallet with a grainy overlay was also really good in my opinion, it really added a lot of edge to some of the more emotional scenes.

The big action sequences look incredible but the quality takes a slight dip during the moments with less drama, as the characters appear less defined, and their actions less smooth. The explosions look great, and Phantasm’s smoke effects, especially when they're running across the rooftops, it looks very cool!

Mark Hamill nails every one-liner the writers throw at him, and his signature Joker laugh is used to chilling effect throughout the film. He is honestly one of the best jokers to me. I loved all his jokes, they were very humourous and sometimes a bit silly. 

There are a few very emotional monologues in this film and one of them (which I won't spoil) touches on something that I haven't seen any other batman film do. It felt very vulnerable and really tugged at my heartstrings. 

This is very much a must watch for batman films, and it's not a long film at all!

7/10

"Please! I need it to be different now. I know I made a promise, but I didn't see this coming. I didn't count on being happy."

"Batman : Do you still follow your dad's orders?

Andrea Beaumont : The way I see it, the only one in this room controlled by his parents is you."