Product Description

Unmasking the Phantasm is just one of the twists in Batman: Mask of Phantasm, "one of the most imaginative films of the past year" (Chuck Rich, Westwood One). Only here will you discover all-new revelations about Batman's past, his archrival the Joker and the most grueling battle of Batman's life - the choice between his love of a beautiful woman and his vow to be the defender of right. Batman: Mask of Phantasm is a "mystery that is genuinely absorbing, suspenseful and moving" (Cincinnati Enquirer) and a film no fan should be without! Can the Dark Knight elude the police, capture the Phantasm and clear his name? Year: 1993 Director: Eric Radomski Starring: Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Dana Delany, Hart Bochner, Abe Vigoda

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #69115 in DVD
• Released on: 1999-12-21
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Formats: Anamorphic, Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, Full Screen, HiFi Sound, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English, French
• Subtitled in: English, French
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 76 minutes

Amazon.com
Although the live-action Batman franchise faltered artistically after Tim Burton gave up control, the slack was taken up by the Saturday morning cartoon show, whose creators are responsible for this feature film. Though a cartoon, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is less cartoonish than the popular '60s TV show (which spawned its own movie, Batman: The Movie). Mask of the Phantasm combines the noir of the original comic book, the violence and dark humor of the Dark Knight comic book revision, and Burton's two movies.

In Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, everyone's favorite schizophrenic billionaire crime fighter is investigating the murders of several prominent gangsters. Meanwhile, his ex-fiancée and her father are back in town. Through flashbacks, these two death-obsessed kids are shown falling in love (she lost her mother; he lost both parents--of course, they meet in a graveyard), until she leaves quickly and mysteriously. Along the way, there's a short course in the origins of the Batman costume and the origins of the Joker (voice of Star Wars' Mark Hamill!), a big fight with the smoke-enshrouded Phantasm character, who is suspected of killing the gangsters, and an even bigger fight with the Joker at the abandoned Gotham World's Fair grounds. Altogether, a good ride. --Andy Spletzer

Customer Reviews

Better by far than any live action Batman
It's unfortunate that an animated series rarely gets serious attention, even when made into a movie, like Mask of the Phantasm. The writing is superior to the live action Batman movies, and the movie has more self-respect. We delve into Batman's past: not his why-I-became-Batman past which everyone knows; rather, we learn why he remains Batman despite the intense personal cost. This is a great movie, with a great voice cast (including Mark Hamill who is just perfect as the Joker). The score is wonderful, playing a little with the score from the first Michael Keaton Batman movie, then proceeding along its own course.

The movie is, of course, not for everyone. If all you want to see are fists hitting the bad guys in the gut, you'll be disappointed (or perhaps, your kids will be). There is romance, sorrow, and introspection, in addition to the violence of Batman's confrontation with villains. This is simply a far more thoughtful movie than one might expect, and though it is well-done in this regard, it may not be what you are expecting.

My Favorite Movie of All Time
When I was younger, I used to brush off Batman: The Animated Series as stupid, and for little kids. Now at the age of seventeen, I see that I was gravely mistaken. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm would have to be my favorite movie of all time. How can I even begin to count all the things I love about it? It's gripping, exciting, witty, funny, sad... Needless to say, it's head over heals over any other Batman movie I've ever seen before. Unlike the live-action movies, it's not about appealing to the audience with predictable James Bond action sequences and famous actors. This movie truely does justice to the comic and to Bob Kane. Each character is portrayed perfectly, with wonderful animation and amazing voice acting. I absolutely love the dark deco art style as well. And the plot is one of the best I've seen. It really keeps you interested. I'd recommend this movie to anyone, Batman fan or not! Definately try this one out!

Good cartoon-noir. Adequate transfer.
This is really more of an animated movie than a cartoon. I find it captures the spirit of the Batman comics much closer than the live-action movies have done. As this was a theatrical release, there was more freedom for the producers to explore the man-behind-the-Bat. It gives more insight into Batman/Bruce Wayne's history and what motivates him. It's also more violent than the Animated Series on television, showing cuts, scrapes, and even a tooth that gets knocked out! The Joker is the insane, homicidal villain he is in the comics and actually kills people in this show, as does the Phantasm. We even get a brief look at what the Joker was before he was the Joker.

As for the disc itself, the transfer is only adequate. There is is some light grain and scratches apparent, but not enough to distract from enjoying the show. I guess I can live with it, but it could've been better. The colors are nice and rich and the sound quality is quite good, considering it's only 2.0.

It's obvious that Warner Bros. did not put much money or effort into this disc. There are no extras, other than a lame theatrical trailer and the packaging is a flimsy, cardboard Snap case, not a plastic Keep case, (Amazon needs to correct their product information about this). On the plus side, if you prefer a full-screen presentation, you have the option for it with this disc.

Overall, this disc could've used some remastering, but it's flaws are not really enough to spoil your enjoyment of an entertaining show.