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As superheroes
go, I've always preferred Batman, the dark tortured soul compulsively
fighting crime to assuage his guilt over not being able to
prevent his parents' deaths. Bruce Wayne bleeds - both physically
and emotionally. Tim Burton got it. Joel Schumacher did not.
Three other guys who definitely got it are Dan Riba, Paul
Dini, and Bruce W. Timm. When Batman: The Animated Series
premiered on Fox in September of 1992, I was impressed. Interesting
plots, multi-syllabic vocabulary, good voice acting by a surprising
array of talent, and great orchestral scores - variations
on Danny Elfman's themes - composed and conducted by Shirley
Walker. The series would evolve: the name would change several
times, the animation style would become more caricature-like,
the show would move to the new WB Network, and ultimately
deteriorate into Batman
Beyond. But at the height of the animated Batman's popularity,
Warner decided to produce a theatrical version. The result
reached theaters on Christmas day of 1993, and is called Batman:
Mask of the Phantasm.
There's
a new vigilante in Gotham, the Phantasm (Stacy Keach), a lethal
specter that's systematically eliminating organized crime
figures. Without any witnesses to the crimes, Batman (Kevin
Conroy) immediately falls under suspicion. An over-ambitious
city bureaucrat organizes a campaign to bring Batman down
despite the strenuous objections of Commissioner James Gordon
(Bob Hastings). But Bruce Wayne is somewhat distracted. Andrea
Beaumont (Dana Delany before her voice role as Lois Lane),
an ex-fiancee, has returned to town and has stirred feelings
and memories. In a series of flashbacks, we learn of the Wayne-Beaumont
relationship and we observe Bruce Wayne's initial transformation
into Batman.
With Beaumont's
return - and for the second time in his life - Bruce Wayne
must choose between the hope for a loving relationship and
a vow he took to avenge his murdered parents. As the police
hunt Batman down, he's also become the target of an old rival.
Believing Batman is responsible for the gangsters' deaths,
the mob has put a contract on him, and the Joker (Mark Hamill)
has accepted the hit. Will Batman survive and be exonerated?
Will Wayne finally find happiness with his ex-fiancee? And
who or what is the Phantasm? The film is surprisingly involving
and moving.
Other series
regulars add their voices to the cast. Early in the series,
Efrem Zimbalist Jr. took over the role of the Wayne Manor
butler, Alfred Pennyworth, and made it his own. Marilu Henner
(who normally plays Veronica Vreeland) may be heard. And Robert
Costanzo as Detective Harvey Bullock weighs in with his usual
arrogant disdain for the Dark Knight.
Video: How Does The Disc Look?
Since this
animated film was produced for theatrical release, it has
an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. When Warner prepared the DVD, it
was able to favor us with anamorphic widescreen, and the video
is quite nice. My only complaint is a slightly intrusive edge
enhancement. The colors are well saturated and noise free.
Brightness and contrast are excellent, and no artifacts were
observed. A pan and scan version is available on a second
side.
Audio: How Does the Disc Sound?
The Dolby
Surround 2.0 audio is also reasonably good. Sound effects
are well reproduced with little audible compression. Dialog,
looped in the studio, is dry and clear. The surround channels
are not used. The bottom most octave is not readily apparent.
In general, a perfectly serviceable stereo audio track.
Supplements: What Goodies Are There? There
are very limited extras on this DVD. The film's trailer is
shown in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and in Dolby Surround.
French is available as a second language. There is the usual
random access feature with thirty chapter stops. And there
are English and French subtitles.
Parting Thoughts
If you enjoyed
Tim Burton's Batman
and Batman
Returns, you'll enjoy this animated Batman feature. If
you haven't discovered the animated Batman, this may be a
real treat. Although the running time is only seventy-six
minutes, the DVD is readily available for only $14. So I feel
very comfortable recommending Mask Of The Phantasm to you.
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