Batman - Mask of the Phantasm

Rating:
Summary: Thank God for the Animated Batman!
Review: For the true fans of the Dark Knight, the animated Batman films are far better then the last two live-action films. Joel Schumacher probably would have totally killed the Batman franchise if fans didn't have this and other movies to fall back on.

Mask of the Phantasm demonstrates the art of storytelling in it's finest form. It retells the story of Batman while incorporating the original story of the Phantasm, a new villain. And of course, this film wouldn't be complete without the Joker, who is portrayed brilliantly by Mark Hamill. The voice he uses for the Joker is absolutely perfect, blending humor and psychoticism.

Don't be fooled by the fact that this is a cartoon, either. The tone is just as dark as the comic book, if not darker. While there are some humorous points, for the most part, this is a very dramatic, very tragic film. It does do a nice job balancing out those aspects with the action, which is very good and very creatively done.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is a Batman fan, and I would certainly recommend it to anyone that gave up on Batman because of Joel Schumacher. Batman is truly a timeless character, and this movie shows he can survive anything, even bad movies about himself!

Rating:
Summary: Finally giving Batman justice...
Review: "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm" is the best Batman movie ever, and one of the greatest movies of our time, I believe. If you think this is for children, you're dead wrong. This movie in fact is more adult than the live action ones. Besides, "Mask" is the first and only fully-animated film to date that has ever held a PG rating(outside of Prince of Egypt); and this one is good without having the good book behind you. The animation was superb(Mr. Malton...), and the plot was absolutely rich. In this film, unlike the others, you actually feel sorry for him when yu glimpse into his past. In this movie, you see Bruce face heart-wrenching desicions; and he's actually heart-wrenched by them. The dark score to the movieadds to it's already ominous setting, and makes the movie all the more spine-tingling for you to watch. Watch this movie if you're a movie lover at all.

Rating:
Summary: The best Batman film!!!!!
Review: This is a terrific movie that is so much better than any of the live action movies! It has a brillant plot,terrific voice overs(especially Kevin Conroy as Batman/Bruce Wayne and Mark Hamill as the Joker),and one terrific ending.If you are a fan of Batman,then would recommend this movie! See this!

Rating:
Summary: Terrible Disappointment
Review: I love Batman: the Animated Series. I went to a lot of trouble to tape every episode. I even put the tapes in a safe deposit box at one point, when I lived in an apt. with incidents of crime. When I saw the poster for this film, I was dizzy with delight. When I came out of the theater I felt sick to my stomach and almost cried.

Although the animation and voice talent was tremendous (even had Abe Vigoda - love that gravelly voice) the story line was so weak and the resolution was not thought through. It was like the producers said "Ooh! Let's have a hot sexual theme because we are now in a theater and can avoid the censors!" Any Batman fan knows he forsook love because of his dedication to his second persona (Batman). In Mask, Batman appears weak and controlled by his libido. I was uncomfortable with the scene implying [physical interaction] had taken place between Bruce and Andrea. The blatant sexual story didn't fit with Batman as how we have come to know him. Nor did it fit with the masterful animated series, which used subtleties so powerfully.

In the Ras-Al-Ghul episodes, his romance with Talia is cinematic, his affection for and implied dalliance (Cat Scratch Fever) with Catwoman fit with the series and Batman's character. Even his chick from the past, Zatana, is acceptable. This is because at all times, Batman remains in control of his emotions. In Phantasm, he acts like a pimply fourteen year old, even spying on Andrea in plain sight with binoculars!

The movie's resolution was extremely sloppy. The Phantasm was a compelling character, but the strength and movement the Phantasm displayed was never explained, like a Scooby Doo episode, when the monster's head is pulled off and reveals weak "Uncle Albert." Also, the Joker and Harley are depressing rather than scary/humorous as in the series.

I highly recommend the movie Batman and Mr. Freeze: Sub Zero, as well as the Batman Beyond series and movies. They are truer to the Batman characters to say the least.

Rating:
Summary: Good cartoon-noir. Adequate transfer.
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: The REAL Batman Movie
Review: If you want to see a movie about the origins of Batman this is your movie. Dripping with the same cool noir atmosphere that made Batman:The Animated Series such a classic, this movie is a must for any serious Batman fan.

For starters, this movie features one of the coolest intros in movie history. The opening theme, combined with a flight through Gotham City is absolutely spine-chilling. From there we are treated to a typical Batman crime-fighting scene with a twist. Someone is killing organized crime big-shots, and looks a bit like Batman. Naturally practically the whole city is soon after him, trying to bring him in (or kill him). Nothing like being on the run from the cops to slow down your investigation of a creepy serial-killer.

Of course the thing that gives the movie real emotional pull is the girl who comes out of Batman's past and back into Gotham city after being away for years. What does she have to do with Batman's past? And how is she involved with strange murders that have been taking place? Be forewarned, this is a flashback movie. Scene after scene links to a flashback where we see just what was going on in Bruce Wayne's life as his plan came together and he turned into Batman. But for what it's worth, I feel this is the best movie I've ever seen when it comes to flashbacks.

And of course, no comic book movie would be complete without a showdown. And this one is awesome. In a fantastic ending unsurpassed (in my opinion) in any comic book film, Batman must confront both the new threat fo the Phantasm, and his old Nemesis... The Joker.

For fans of Batman, this movie (and the show it is based on) should definitely not be missed. For fans of the TV show, there simply is no excuse not to see this movie.

Rating:
Summary: Best Batman Feature
Review: This is one of the best Batman animated features I have ever seen.The writing was good and Mark Hamill doing the voice of the Joker?G-O-O-D.The soundtrack gets high marks and the actors picked to voice the characters was good.With plans to make a new series of Batman feature films in the works,I would like for Warner Brothers studios to please keep Tim Burton as the executive producer and most important,Michael Keaton as Batman because he is the right actor for the role.

Rating:
Summary: Terrible Disappointment
Review: Although the animation and voice talent was tremendous (even had Abe Vigoda - love that gravelly voice) the story line was so weak and the resolution was not thought through. It was like the producers said "Ooh! Let's have a hot sexual theme because we are now in a theater and can avoid the censors!" Any Batman fan knows he forsook love because of his dedication to his second persona (Batman). In Mask, Batman appears weak and controlled by his libido. I was uncomfortable with the scene implying [physical interaction] had taken place between Bruce and Andrea. The blatant sexual story didn't fit with Batman as how we have come to know him. Nor did it fit with the masterful animated series, which used subtleties so powerfully.

In the Ras-Al-Ghul episodes, his romance with Talia is cinematic, his affection for and implied dalliance (Cat Scratch Fever) with Catwoman fit with the series and Batman's character. Even his chick from the past, Zatana, is acceptable. This is because at all times, Batman remains in control of his emotions. In Phantasm, he acts like a pimply fourteen year old, even spying on Andrea in plain sight with binoculars!

The movie's resolution was extremely sloppy. The Phantasm was a compelling character, but the strength and movement the Phantasm displayed was never explained, like a Scooby Doo episode, when the monster's head is pulled off and reveals weak "Uncle Albert." Also, the Joker and Harley are depressing rather than scary/humorous as in the series.

I love Batman: the Animated Series. I went to a lot of trouble to tape every episode. I even put the tapes in a safe deposit box at one point, when I lived in an apt. with incidents of crime. When I saw the poster for this film, I was dizzy with delight. When I came out of the theater I felt sick to my stomach and almost cried.

I highly recommend the movie Batman and Mr. Freeze: Sub Zero, as well as the Batman Beyond series and movies. They are truer to the Batman characters to say the least.

Rating:
Summary: An actual review of the Soundtrack by Shirley Walker
Review: Due to a glitch here at Amazon, the reviews for the DVD of "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm" have been imported to this page meant for the soundtrack, which is the reason most of these reviews here make no mention of Shirley Walker's score. So, in case you're curious about the soundtrack album (and you must be, if you sought out this page), this is a review that actually deals with the CD and its music.

Shirley Walker is an excellent film music composer who hasn't gotten her deserved acclaim yet. She was already part of the Batman family of music from working on the excellent "Batman: The Animated Series." In early episodes, she made use of Danny Elfman's famous Batman theme from the live-action Tim Burton films, but she soon developed her own theme that became the musical signature of the series. Elfman's theme is very frantic and driving, but Walker's theme is majestic and gothic, with religious overtones. It's a perfect fit for the animated incarnation of the character (probably the best version of the character ever on screen).

When it came time to score the first animated Batman film, "Mask of the Phantasm," Walker had a chance to really expand the sound of the theme. "Main Title" offers the theme in a huge choral version, making it even more religious and gothic in tone. It's a chilling and dark opening for the score. The chorus returns with the theme in the end of the action cue "The Big Chase" and for in finale in "Batman's Destiny." The Batman Theme also surfaces in "The Birth of Batman." The action music stays close to Danny Elfman territory, and Walker does a great job on such cues as "Ski Mask Vigilante," "Phantasm and Joker Fight" (which also contains the 'mad-merry-go-round' theme for the Joker that she wrote originally for the television show), and the first part of "Batman's Destiny." For the mysterious Phantasm, Walker uses an approach that sounds like the music from 1950s science-fiction movies of the: Hammond organ and the synthesized sound of the theremin. It's an effective, creative device, and is heard the strongest on "Phantasm's Graveyard Murder."

The score is less powerful in its quieter moments, and Walker unfortunately doesn't have a strong enough love theme to support such cues as "First Love" and "A Plea for Help." Nonetheless, the score is always interesting, and these cues are good segues between the heavier music. The final track is a jazz-pop vocal, "I Never Even Told You," performed by Tia Carrere when she was trying to become a pop singer. Shirley Walker didn't write the song, and it's fairly bland. The lyrics match the tragic romance between Bruce Wayne and Andrea, but the song is too light compared with the rest of the album.

The biggest flaw with the album is its length: just under 35 minutes. Warner Bros. did not believe in the film despite its obvious quality, and shoved it out in December 1993 without any fanfare. Their lack of support shows in the skimpy length of this soundtrack; Warner Bros. apparently didn't want to shell out too much money for music re-use fees. The short length damages the score, since Walker doesn't have enough space the stretch out with her themes, and many important cues had to be left out.

Still, this soundtrack is a must for Batman fans. It works perfectly with Danny Elfman's two scores, and is far superior to the schlocky music that Elliot Goldenthal wrote for Joel Schumacher's two awful live-action Batman films. Get it while you still can.

Rating:
Summary: 5 stars for the movie, but...
Review: I really hope WB goes back and makes a 'special edition' of this movie someday. The movie is great, but the picture quality on the DVD leaves something to be desired, as does the so-called "widescreen" version, where they basically just put black bars on the top and bottom of the screen (not kidding - compare both versions and you'll see what I mean; same goes for the uncut version of Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, which unfortunately was only available in widescreen). But all quibbles aside, this is a great movie, though I really wish WB would quit with the "matted widescreen" crap and do a better job on the picture quality.