Rating: 4/5
Synopsis:
National Batman Day 2024 also brings back The Dark Knight’s most famous animated feature. “Mask of the Phantasm” sees Batman wrongly implicated for a series of murders in Gotham City. The true culprit is a mysterious vigilante intent on taking out the mob by whatever means necessary. Batman must get to the bottom of these killings before the city turns on him. Can he do it in time?
Positives:
Experiencing “Mask of the Phantasm” on the big screen for the first time brings back so many memories. I watched this one on repeat when I was younger. What is nice about revisiting it is that I am able to pick up on the complex storytelling better than in my younger years. The film is dark and moody, focusing on a complex murder mystery and a romantic dynamic Bruce shares with Andrea Beaumont. The 90’s animation style is a blast from the past, mirroring the style that the animated series showcased during its run. The color of everything sets the mood of the story nicely with lots of blue and black highlights in each frame. This mood perfectly introduces The Phantasm as a complex and intimidating foe for Batman. Although his screen time is limited, he was a cool and mysterious villain.
The voice work is also to be highlighted. Kevin Conroy gives one of his most memorable performances as Batman, conveying the struggle he faces as he chooses between his romantic interest and responsibility as Batman. Dana Delaney does nice work too, challenging Bruce as a romantic foil. But the most memorable performance by a landslide is Mark Hamill as The Joker. In fact, this is one of my favorite portrayals of The Joker ever put on film. He is absolutely ruthless, basking in the chaos he creates while executing punchlines left and right. He truly captures the essence of the character in every way. These performances elevate the story to surprising depths. What I always love about “Mask of the Phantasm” is that it perfectly showcases who Batman is. No matter what he truly wants, Bruce finds that he will always be Batman. The melancholy nature of the resolution is both heartbreaking and satisfying. If anyone were to request what story captures the true essence of Batman, I would point them towards this film.
Negatives:
For an animated film that came out in the 90’s, there’s not much to criticize with this one. There are certainly some dated elements pertaining to the animation style. For a first time viewer, I could understand why they wouldn’t be drawn to it. But for someone like me who grew up with it, I have a deep appreciation for the style. There is also a huge plot hole surrounding the villain of the movie. The Phantasm often uses smoke to disappear and move around when battling an adversary. But there are some blatant logic gaps as to how he avoids being shot point blank. This issue bothers me every time I watch the movie. I selfishly want the film to be longer each time I watch it as well. The story is absolutely gripping and only gets better as it goes on. At an hour and sixteen minutes, the story could have benefitted from a longer runtime. If they were to add a half hour to forty five minutes, the mystery could be fleshed out more and Bruce’s love story could be explored further.
Conclusion:
“Mask of the Phantasm” is an outstanding animated Batman film that stands the test of time. It proves that animated stories should be taken seriously and that real stakes can be developed if the story is crafted with care. The voice acting is excellent from top to bottom, helping audiences experience a truly satisfying Batman story. While I wish it was longer and have some issues with The Phantasm’s disappearing act, the film is undeniably strong. Check it out to see Batman in a comic book story ripped straight out of the pages.
