Batman is one of DC's most popular superheros. Over the years, the Caped Crusader has starred in a plethora of films, both animated and live-action. Interestingly enough, what is quintessentially the greatest Batman film of all time was actually a box-office failure. Today, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is considered the best The Dark Knight has to offer, but that wasn't always the case.
There are several cases to be made as to why Mask of the Phantasm is the perfect Batman film. None of the characters' other origin stories have managed to carry the same weight, not even Batman Begins. What was once a financial flop is now considered a foundational film for understanding one of the oldest superheros in existence. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm might have its minor flaws, but as far as Batman films are concerned, it's the very best.
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The Greatest Batman Movie of all Time Was a Box Office Failure
The Film and Franchise Had Half The Fanbase It Does Now
Once upon a time, films relied solely on limited advertising to attempt to acquire a prospective fanbase before release. This was somewhat difficult to do, especially for more niche topics like superhero films. Being a nerd wasn't always as mainstream as it is today, and many older superhero-fantatics learned to keep their hobby discreet for a reason. For these reasons, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm was a box-office failure upon release.
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People either didn't know about the film or couldn't bring themselves to see it in theaters. If streaming existed at the time, the movie probably would've been vastly more successful. Either way, it stands as a testament to the classic era of Warner Bros. Cartoon movies and proof that even good movies can do bad at the box-office.
Even if the movie didn't perform well, Mask of the Phantasm is likely the greatest Batman film ever created. No other project has managed to express the many nuances behind the world's greatest detective while providing a completely original story. A lot of the story's success is likely due to its connection to Batman: The Animated Series, but the film could easily stand alone just as well.
No Other Batman Origin Film Carries the Same Weight
Batman's Decision To Become The Dark Knight Isn't An Easy One
Batman is a deeply flawed and emotional character. While most media prefers to have the caped crusader default to anger, he actually has a spectrum of emotions. Mask of the Phantasm is the first movie that truly nails the weight of what Bruce must be feeling. Even before donning the cape and cowl, the boy billionaire is drawn by a quest for revenge.
Fairly early on into his quest, he meets and falls in love with Andrea Beauxmont. Despite his traumatic childhood, the former billionaire playboy finds himself finally happy and a reason to continue acting as Bruce Wayne. This happiness culminates in what is single-handedly the most powerful Batman scene of all time.
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Bruce Wayne rushes to his parent's grave and begs them to let him abandon his quest for revenge. He kneels at his parent's headstone and cries, begging for something to change. Andrea arrives to console the brooding pre-Batman and Bruce proposes in the days following. Andrea inevitably has to rescind Bruce's proposal, causing him to fully embrace his fate as The Batman.
The scene where Bruce first dons the mask in front of Alfred is nothing short of incredible. Everything is basically perfect, from the cinematography to the score. There are few moments in the franchise that command such visceral emotion, but Mask of the Phantasm contains several.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm Has Plenty of Amazing Action
The Film Balances Excessive Emotion With Epic Encounters
Despite the year the film was created, the art direction more than holds up today. The animation still appears fluid and many of the best action scenes are just as striking today. The opening sequence is particularly incredible with Batman taking out a group of goons relatively easily as The Phantasm makes their introduction.
Batman's struggles with the Phantasm aren't anything to write home about physically, but they carry a great deal of emotional weight. The Dark Knight also has a credible confrontation against his greatest enemy, Joker. The duel is as humorous as to be expected, but it keeps the audience at the edge of their seat. The Clown Prince of Crime once again proves why he's the Caped Crusader's most competent challenger.
Compared to other films, the action might not stand out too much, but compared to its predecessors, the movie is truly remarkable. If Mask of the Phantasm were shown to someone today, there's no chance they'd guess it was made in the '90s. It might not be a perfect film, but The Mask of the Phantasm is certainly the best Batman movie.
Newer Batman Films Should Use the Classic Title As a Template
No Modern Film Has Surpassed The Magnificent Original
All subsequent films featuring The Dark Knight should use the movie as a template. If the right people were to figure out why the film has garnered a massive cult following, the future of Batman could be relatively bright. Unfortunately, despite its relatively immediate fanbase, the movie is at risk of being forgotten once again.
It remains up to the current generation of DC fans to ensure that this incredible film is never lost to time. It might be more popular than ever, but there are still plenty who've never heard of it. Moreover, some modern fans aren't able to get over its slightly aged stye.
Overall, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is without a doubt the greatest Batman film of all time. It contains everything quintessential to The Dark Knight's character and then some. The movie should become required watching for every Batman showrunner or creative lead for the rest of time to ensure the safety of DC's most adapted superhero.
- Release Date
- December 25, 1993
- Runtime
- 76 minutes
- Director
- eric radomski, Bruce W. Timm
- Writers
- Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, Bob Kane, Martin Pasko, Michael Reaves, Jerry Robinson
Cast
-
Kevin Conroy -
Dana Delany -
Hart Bochner -
Stacy Keach
