"Your 'Angel of Death' awaits..."
'Batman: Mask of the Phantasm' is a hard film to review, because it is so well made in spite of it's many limitations. Unfortunately it is these limitations that keep the film out of a wider discussion of great films, and that's a shame. Had the film been live action, or simply had a higher budget it would be seen as more than a children's cartoon. Had the film been given a bigger release, and been more accepted by audiences and critics at the time, it may be remembered by more than those who grew up with it or fans of the series.
The script is fantastic, an engrossing, character based mystery that can only be solved through Bruce Wayne's own memories surrounding his first days as The Dark Knight. Although it is an origin story, the film assumes a basic understanding of Batman from it's audience. I say basic, all that is needed to enjoy it is knowledge that Bruce Wayne fights crime using his masked alter-ego Batman, thanks largely to having watched his parents killed in front of him. Unlike so many big budget Batman adventures, 'Mask of the Phantasm' tells a story that actually has layers and thematic content. It is a story about time, the past, the future, and the contrast between the two. The film's flashback narrative is more than conventional, it is inextricable from the story being told. I won't say much of the plot, as the mystery it crafts has a memorable and effective conclusion. I will however say that this story is told through excellent, elegant dialogue delivered by an outstanding cast.
Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill are simply perfect in their roles. As Batman, Conroy convinces in his authority and intelligence. He needs no raspy voice, he simply is Batman. You understand implicitly why criminals fear him and citizens respect him. As Bruce Wayne though, Conroy conveys so much of a character who has never been so fully realised in cinema. The burden of his responsibility weighs on him always, as does his grief. His attempts at optimism, at hope, are ultimately futile. He is literally haunted by his own life, but faces his own fears and doubt with sincere courage.
The Joker is comparably realised by Hamill, who goes beyond the manic portrayal of the character by Jack Nicholson. Although he too is genuinely mad, he also works within a wide spectrum of characteristics. His fluid nature adds genuine menace, one minute he can be enthusiastic, cracking puns and enjoying himself, next he can be making threats and flying into uncontrolled rage. The duality of the character is perfectly captured, with the suggestions of his violence much more effective for their mystery and randomness. Hamill also evokes part of the character that is often forgotten – his authority and intelligence – the very traits we find in Batman himself.
Since the film began as a straight-to-video project for the creative team behind 'Batman: The Animated Series', the same award-winning art deco character designs and backgrounds arrive intact from the show. The look of the film shares much with the dark and urban feel of the Burton films that allowed the series to exist, but cleans and refines it stylishly. In comparison with other animated feature films, it does unfortunately look cheap, but that is simply because it is. While it manages more than the show could afford, there was never a budget to bring these designs to feature standard. As it is the designs are great, they just aren't realised as well as they could have been.
The same can not be said for the music, for different reasons. The late composer Shirley Walker, who worked with Danny Elfman on his iconic score for 'Batman', at last is able to demonstrate her enormous talent on a fitting canvas. Her work on the series is masterful, and the film is no exception. The opening, choral rendition of her main theme is haunting and beautiful. Unlike Elfman, Walker doesn't fully saturate every moment with music, and is happy to simply set the mood at times. When she does let loose, her cues are sweeping, rich and bold. It is highly emotive work, bitter-sweet and mournful as the film itself. Walkers music always gave the series a high quality finish, and it continues to do so at feature length.
I could write many essays about this movie, so densely is it constructed. I recommend it highly not only to fans of the Batman character or animation, but to anyone who loves well made films. It may be “just” a feature length episode of an old cartoon, but that in no way holds back the story, direction, design, music or performances. For fans of the series, this is the ultimate episode. It manages to provide a story that remains exciting and unpredictable, despite the inherent and unavoidable foreknowledge any origin tale must contain. A true classic.
*****
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