Batman - Mask Of The Phantasm [1993]

Customer Reviews:

Superb.......2007-07-27

Everything about this is just superb. I have a U.S version and one of the reviews on the back says "Gotham's saviour; the way he was meant to be", I couldn't agree more. This is an atmospheric piece of cinema-noir, the music is beautifully written and the animation is perfect. The cast deliver top-flight voice performances, Mark Hamill as the Joker really stands out.

The story is powerfully told using the classic neo-Gothic setting of Gotham City, that we all know and love. It is written with care and intelligence and has everything a good Batman story should have, plus a lot more. The tragi-romantic edge is superb and is genuinely moving the first time you see it.

Don't be fooled by the fact that this is a cartoon; kids wouldn't understand the permeatations and the meanings in "Mask of the Phantasm" and also it has a couple of moments that younger kids may find scarey

A true classic, a triumph in every sense, even if your not a Bat-fan you will admire this as a piece of art. - the Dark Knight: as he was supposed to be.

One of the best hand drawn animated films.......2007-03-15

It does tread on the same ground as Batman Begins - how he became Batman and began training etc but technically this came first. If you have had the pleasure of watching the animated series when it was on in the early 90s then you know what to expect.

A dark storyline, great visuals and excellent voice acting (particularly from Kevin Conroy as Batman and Mark Hamill as Joker). As you can pick this gem up relatively cheap - what have you got lose? The chances are you'll agree at how good this movie was for its day and still is.

Easily on a par with the live action films.......2006-04-10

Everyone loved the Batman animated series of the early nineties. There was no mystery as to why it was such a huge success. It consisted of nothing but pure quality. The character of the Batman and his universe was transferred perfectly from comic to TV, so it was no surprise that a movie would follow.

Given the fact that Batman Begins had just come out in the cinemas last June, it seemed only logical for Mask of the Phantasm to be released on DVD (at last!) round about the same time. Because, really, this can be interpreted as the animated version of Batman Begins (even though this was released twelve years prior!), as the Dark Knight's origin is explored in great capacity, as he has to deal with one of the most enigmatic and perverse foes he has ever faced: The Phantasm.

Batman is framed for the murders of Gotham's most dangerous gangsters. As the Caped Crusader has to unravel the mystery of the Phantasm's identity and motives, he must also have to confront his past and along the way, we discover how Batman almost never came to be because of Bruce Wayne's one and only chance to be happy.

There's so much going on in this film and there's so much depth to the plot. The mystique and aura of the Phantasm is what drives the film, but there's also a lot of creative insight regarding the past of Bruce Wayne. The exploration of who he was on his road to becoming Batman brings the film a lot of merit, along with the introduction of Andrea Beaumont, who unlike Batman's on-off relationships with Catwoman and Talia, was perhaps his only genuine shot at happiness.

Another positive boom is the inclusion of the Joker in this film. Given that this was the first-ever, feature-length, animated Batman movie, it would've been so easy to use the Dark Knight's greatest enemy as nothing more than window dressing. But fortunately, the Joker plays a very meaningful, and very significant role in the entire film. The Joker has always been one of the most fascinating characters in all of fiction, and his role in this film justifies that truth, as we discover that he's been in Batman's life much longer than we realise.

It's not just the dive into the past that makes this film, or the rich characterization, or the sheer mystery of the film. It's the action as well. There are tremendous sequences involving Batman being pursued by the GCPD, the murders of the Gotham mobsters, and of course the epic, brutal fights between Batman, the Phantasm and the Joker. They're all brought to life by the quality animation and Shirley Walker's fantastic music score.

Any negatives? Hardly. The only possible bad thing I could bring against this is that the animation may not be on a par with Disney or some of Warner Bros.' later stuff, but so what? It suits the film perfectly. And at the end of the day, it's the presentation that matters, and that certainly hasn't been messed up.

Mask of the Phantasm is right up there with the Tim Burton live-action films. It is the epitome of Batman storytelling, and without criticism, and I'm sure that nobody can dispute that. Yet for some bizarre, incomprehensible reason, it failed miserably at the box office.

One of the greatest Batman films has finally been released on DVD in this country, and it's about time. Sadly, there are no extras, despite the fact that there's supposed to be a trailer included as listed on the back of the case. I would've liked to see the trailer, along with audio commentary and a documentary or two, but I suppose it's irrelevant really. This timeless classic is here at long last, and that's all that matters.

Best ever Batman movie........2005-11-01

This is without a doubt the best animated movie ever, not only that but it completely outshines any Batman movie to date. The story follows Batman's past and the reason he donned the cape and the cowl, and reasons he didn't want to. The movie starts with a series of crime bosses being murdered in Gotham by someone or something. The people and police suspect Batman because of his similarites with the suspect. Batman becomes a wanted man and the whole city wants him stopped. Batman is innocent, and only James Gordon sticks by him. The Joker also plays a part in this movie and he shows his real twisted evil. It's beautifull written and the first time I saw it was years ago and I haven't gotten sick of it. Best Batman movie by far.

The Dark Knight's first animated movie!.......2005-06-25

After a successful run through of the TV series Batman: The Animated Series, Warner Bros decide to make the Batman hit the big screen by having his own movie, which is fantastic. The film starts off well with some of Gotham City's most ruthless crime bosses & kingpins getting killed by a mysterious figure known as the Phantasm. After this everybody is convinced that Batman is responsible for the strange demise of crooks, but that isn't the only thing this movie reveals, we also get some insight into Batman's past when he met a woman called Andrea Beaumont and fell in love with her.

A few years later she returns to Gotham to get revenge after her father was murdered a long time ago, and Batman discovers that the Joker was one of the henchmen who threatened Andrea's father. I found the movie explained a lot of things about Bruce Wayne like how he became a vigilante before putting on the costume and turning into Batman, who puts the fear of God in most of the gangsters and criminals alike!

Customer Reviews:

Superb.......2007-07-27

Everything about this is just superb. I have a U.S version and one of the reviews on the back says "Gotham's saviour; the way he was meant to be", I couldn't agree more. This is an atmospheric piece of cinema-noir, the music is beautifully written and the animation is perfect. The cast deliver top-flight voice performances, Mark Hamil as the Joker really stands out.

The story is powerfully told using the classic neo-Gothic setting of Gaotham City, that we all know and love. It is written with care and intelligence and has everything a good Batman story should have, plus a lot more. The tragi-romantic edge is superb and is genuinely moving the first time you see it.

Don't be fooled by the fact that this is a cartoon; kids wouldn't understand the permeatations and the meanings in "Mask of the Phantasm"

A true classic, a triumph in every sense, even if your not a Bat-fan you will admire this as a piece of art. - the Dark Knight: as he was supposed to be.

Everything In Its Right Place.......2002-08-09

Every morning i get up and catch Batman the Animated Series before heading off to work.
And every morning one fact is impressed on me again and again.

Kevin Conroy IS the Batman.

And OK, pitch-perfect voice work is usually only part of what makes a great cartoon, but lets do the list.

Stunning visuals?
Check.
Smooth, realistic animation?
Check.
Gripping storylines?
Check.
Intelligent, witty scripting?
Oh yeah.

It isn't too far of a leap to make the claim that B:TAS is just about as good as cartoons get, and watching them you can almost forget the deluge of dross that Schumacher brought to the screen.
Indeed Mask of the Phantasm should be regarded as Batman three, so in keeping is it with the tone of Burton's Comic Noir vision.

And while it provides a half hour slice of action and adventure for kids (not since Transformers have they had it so good), B:TAS never loses sight of the fact that the majority of Batfans haven't watched cartoons before school for the best part of a decade at least. Like the best of Disney, it caters for all age groups.

So we wait, and we hope that B & R didn't kill the franchise, but while we wait we can console ourselves with the fact that, on the small screen at least, the Batman lives.

The dark knight as he should be portrayed.......2001-03-26

I have always loved the animated series but have found it in some cases too child orientated. Now at last we have the batman how he is meant to be portrayed, something I have only ever known Tim Burton to do on screen! A film noir atmosphere, gothic design concept, a tragic romantic sub-plot this movie has it all. Gangsters, guns, gadgets intrigue and mystery. Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamil are on top form as usual and Shirley Walker's musical score should have even Danny Elfman muttering with jealousy. In short a must have for any self respecting batman fan!

The making of Batman?!.......2001-01-10

This film is fantastic! A very clever and dark tale combined with flashbacks. We find out how Bruce Wayne started out being a vigilante and developed into Batman. I love the Joker in the animated series and it's great to see him in this film. Mark Hamil's character voices amaze me.

Great Stuff!.......2000-11-12

Shirley Walker is the worthy successor to Danny Elfman, not Elliot Goldenthal. This score is truly moving. The choral opening is just superb. Highly recommended, it helps the excellent film considerably.

Batman:Mask of the Phantasm [1993] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Average customer rating:

Batman:Mask of the Phantasm [1993] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Batman
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
ASIN: 6305686599
Release Date: 2005-12-06

Average customer rating:

Superb
Everything In Its Right Place
The dark knight as he should be portrayed
The making of Batman?!
Great Stuff!

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm [1993] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Starring: Kevin Conroy , Dana Delany , Hart Bochner , Stacy Keach , and Abe Vigoda
Director: Eric Radomski , and Bruce W. Timm
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

All Action & Adventure | Action & Adventure | Categories | DVD | Video

All Crime, Thrillers & Mystery | Crime, Thrillers & Mystery | Categories | DVD | Video

Thrillers | Crime, Thrillers & Mystery | Categories | DVD | Video

Animated | Comedy | Categories | DVD | Video

All Children's DVD | Children's DVD | Categories | DVD | Video

DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B0000399WH
Release Date: 1999-12-21

Customer Reviews:

Superb.......2007-07-27

Everything about this is just superb. I have a U.S version and one of the reviews on the back says "Gotham's saviour; the way he was meant to be", I couldn't agree more. This is an atmospheric piece of cinema-noir, the music is beautifully written and the animation is perfect. The cast deliver top-flight voice performances, Mark Hamil as the Joker really stands out.

The story is powerfully told using the classic neo-Gothic setting of Gaotham City, that we all know and love. It is written with care and intelligence and has everything a good Batman story should have, plus a lot more. The tragi-romantic edge is superb and is genuinely moving the first time you see it.

Don't be fooled by the fact that this is a cartoon; kids wouldn't understand the permeatations and the meanings in "Mask of the Phantasm"

A true classic, a triumph in every sense, even if your not a Bat-fan you will admire this as a piece of art. - the Dark Knight: as he was supposed to be.

Everything In Its Right Place.......2002-08-09

Every morning i get up and catch Batman the Animated Series before heading off to work.
And every morning one fact is impressed on me again and again.

Kevin Conroy IS the Batman.

And OK, pitch-perfect voice work is usually only part of what makes a great cartoon, but lets do the list.

Stunning visuals?
Check.
Smooth, realistic animation?
Check.
Gripping storylines?
Check.
Intelligent, witty scripting?
Oh yeah.

So we wait, and we hope that B & R didn't kill the franchise, but while we wait we can console ourselves with the fact that, on the small screen at least, the Batman lives.

The dark knight as he should be portrayed.......2001-03-26

The making of Batman?!.......2001-01-10

Great Stuff!.......2000-11-12

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