Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (Exclusive Series) (HBO Max)

Initial release date: December 25, 1993

Studios: Warner Brothers/ WB Animation/ Spectrum Animation

Tagline: The Dark Knight fights to save Gotham City from its deadliest enemy.

Plot: In this animated feature, the troubled yet heroic Batman is pitted against a mysterious figure who’s rubbing out Gotham’s most dangerous criminals, and who many believe is the caped crusader himself.

Cast

Kevin Conway - Batman/Bruce Wayne

Dana Delaney - Andrea Beaumont

Hart Bochner - Arthur Reeves

Stacy Keach - Phantasm/Carl Beaumont

Abe Vigoda - Salvatore Valestra

Dick Miller - Chuckie Sol

John R. Ryan - Buzz Bronski

Ehfrem Zimablist Jr. - Alfred

Bob Hastings - Gordon

Robert Costanzo - Detective Bullock

Mark Hamill - The Joker

Writer(s): Alan Burnett (Suicide Squad: Hell To Pay)

Paul Dini (Batman: The Animated Series)

Martin Pasko

Michael Reaves

Director(s): Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm

Rated PG for animated violence (76 minutes)

‘Batman: Mask of the Phantasm’ has been a fan favorite among ‘Batman’ fans for years. This animated and under-rated feature, set in the same universe as the ‘Batman: The Animated Series,’ delivers a lot of non-stop action and incredible animation. There are even some moments that are quite thrilling for an animated feature film.

One thing that made some of the scenes really powerful is the soundtrack. The musical score is extremely moving throughout most of the movie and really helps the scenes out.

‘Mask of the Phantasm’ is a hidden gem in the ‘Batman’ world. This 1993 movie is one of the very few animated ‘Batman’ movies that had a wide theatrical run.

If you enjoy the ‘Batman’ films and even enjoyed ‘Batman: The Animated Series,’ then I highly suggest you check out ‘Mask of the Phantasm’ on HBO Max.

Here are a few interesting tidbits for ‘Mask of the Phantasm’:

• Most of the movie is based on the graphic novels ‘Batman: Year One’ and ‘Year Two.’ The flashback to Batman’s first night of crime fighting, donning a jacket and ski-hat is parallel to book one of ‘Year One.’ The design and concept of the Phantasm was derived from the Reaper, the primary villain of ‘Year Two.’

• Late in production, Warner Bros. decided to make the movie a theatrical release instead of the originally intended direct to video feature. While the animators were thrilled and extremely grateful for the decision, this left them with less than a year of production time and scrambling to convert the aspect ratio to widescreen.

• The first film set in the DC Animated Universe.

• Despite the title, the Phantasm is never referred to by name.

• ‘Batman: Mask of the Phantasm’ opened on Christmas Day 1993 in the US in 1,506 theaters, accumulating $1,189,975 over its first two days. The movie went on to gross roughly $6 million in the domestic total box office intake.

• The filmmakers blamed Warner for the unsuccessful marketing campaign, which is commonly attributed to the rushed production schedule due to the studio’s last minute decision to release it theatrically.

• Despite this, ‘Mask of the Phantasm’ eventually turned a profit with its various home media releases.

https://youtu.be/4PK5CYZlHMA