Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

We live in a new age of great Batman films. Since Batman Begins, the Caped Crusader has successfully returned to the big screen, pleasing new audiences and fans of the Tim Burton films. As we look back at the work Tim Burton gave us in the late 80's and early 90's, wishing we could forget Batman Forever and Batman and Robin, we often overlook a single entry in the Batman franchise.

That entry is 1993's Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. It's often overlooked simply because, unlike the Tim Burton films, this movie is animated. Actually, the film is more an installment of the then-popular animated series than a separate film. Nevertheless, this film deserves more praise.

Fans of the aforementioned animated series have little trouble accepting the film. It uses the same visual style, same Batman, same basic setting. It does take a slightly darker tack. Certain characters are said to die during the course of the film, something that rarely happened in the animated series.

The film briefly retells Batman's origin, introducing a former love interest who happens to be the film's villain. The film gives a little commentary on where life's path will take you. Do you allow revenge to consume you, or do you fight for justice? Is there a point of no return?

The plot is nothing groundbreaking, but nevertheless good. Depth of character is far more present here than in most animated films. It's clear the production team took it seriously. Perhaps the greatest element of the film is its music.

Tim Burton's Batman featured an amazing score by Danny Elfman. The moods conveyed speak of something dark, mysterious, foreboding. That's the Batman. The animated series of the early 90's featured a theme with heavy allusions to Elfman's score, while still distinguishing itself as a separate entity. When the animated series came to screen in Mask of the Phantasm, the music came with an added twist: vocalization!

Actually, it's hard to tell what the choir is singing. It sounds Latin, or maybe Greek. Some have speculated that the lyrics are actually the names of the production staff sung backwards. Who knows? It sounds amazing, certainly worthy of a Batman score.

This is not one to miss. After seeing such smash hits like Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, pick this one up. It is worth the watch.