Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

UPC: 012569717275

Studio: Warner Home Video

MPAA Rating: PG   Contains:[Violence, Questionable for Children]

Summary: This stylish animated adventure is based on the '90s animated television series, which in turn is based on the original comics and Tim Burton's live action "Batman" films. Unlike the campy 1960s version of Batman, this version is half-mad from the superhero's obsession with justice. It is only his unusual sense of ethics that keeps him from becoming a full-blown psychotic. The story describes the origins of Batman as it follows the Dark Knight's attempts to capture the elusive, deadly Phantasm who kills a crime lord and makes it look as if Batman did it, causing a media smear campaign against the Caped Crusader. At the same time, millionaire Bruce Wayne holds a party at his mansion. There he meets Councilman Arthur Reeves, the man behind the accusations. Reeves derides playboy Wayne for allowing his college sweetheart Andrea Beaumont to leave him. Suddenly Wayne flashes back to his pre-Batman days. He remembers how he met her while visiting his parents' graves to renew his vow that he would spend his life fighting crime to avenge their wrongful deaths. He has already devised an early version of his alter-ego Batman, but that is nearly forgotten when he falls in love with Andrea. The story then jumps from past to present and back as the mysterious Phantasm strikes again. Batman continues his investigation and discovers a disturbing link between Andrea, who suddenly shows up after many years absence, and the villain. Meanwhile, the Phantasm, feeling that Batman is too close to learning his/her identity hires the Joker to kill him. But the Joker has his own agenda and much action ensues before the mystery of the Phantasm identity is solved, Batman clears his name, and justice is served. This film was originally made to go straight to video, Warner's studio liked it enough to release it theatrically. Some of the violence may be inappropriate for very young children. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Category: Thriller

Features: ccTheatrical trailer

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

Format: DVD

Release Date: 10/04/2005

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Alternate Wide Screen, 1.33:1 Pre-1954 Standard

Audio: DD2 Dolby Digital Stereo

Runtime: 76 Minutes

Sides: 2

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English,French

Subtitles: English,French

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Disc #1, Side A -- Batman: Mask of the Phantasm - Standard
1. Chapter 1 [1:47]
2. Chapter 2 [3:13]
3. Chapter 3 [1:31]
4. Chapter 4 [1:29]
5. Chapter 5 [2:22]
6. Chapter 6 [5:18]
7. Chapter 7 [5:49]
8. Chapter 8 [3:03]
9. Chapter 9 [1:28]
10. Chapter 10 [2:15]
11. Chapter 11 [2:15]
12. Chapter 12 [1:02]
13. Chapter 13 [2:28]
14. Chapter 14 [2:19]
15. Chapter 15 [3:49]
16. Chapter 16 [1:41]
17. Chapter 17 [1:56]
18. Chapter 18 [3:16]
19. Chapter 19 [4:28]
20. Chapter 20 [:56]
21. Chapter 21 [2:41]
22. Chapter 22 [2:13]
23. Chapter 23 [1:24]
24. Chapter 24 [:42]
25. Chapter 25 [4:25]
26. Chapter 26 [2:32]
27. Chapter 27 [1:23]
28. Chapter 28 [1:57]
29. Chapter 29 [2:21]
30. End Credits [4:10]
Disc #1, Side B -- Batman: Mask of the Phantasm - Widescreen
1. Chapter 1 [1:47]
2. Chapter 2 [3:13]
3. Chapter 3 [1:31]
4. Chapter 4 [1:29]
5. Chapter 5 [2:22]
6. Chapter 6 [5:18]
7. Chapter 7 [5:49]
8. Chapter 8 [3:03]
9. Chapter 9 [1:28]
10. Chapter 10 [2:15]
11. Chapter 11 [2:15]
12. Chapter 12 [1:02]
13. Chapter 13 [2:28]
14. Chapter 14 [2:19]
15. Chapter 15 [3:49]
16. Chapter 16 [1:41]
17. Chapter 17 [1:56]
18. Chapter 18 [3:16]
19. Chapter 19 [4:29]
20. Chapter 20 [:56]
21. Chapter 21 [2:41]
22. Chapter 22 [2:13]
23. Chapter 23 [1:24]
24. Chapter 24 [:42]
25. Chapter 25 [4:25]
26. Chapter 26 [2:32]
27. Chapter 27 [1:24]
28. Chapter 28 [1:57]
29. Chapter 29 [2:21]
30. End Credits [4:10]

Jeremy Wheeler

Warner Bros.' first foray into animated features for their Batman franchise continued the television series' signature noir-ish aesthetics as well as the creator's attention to character-driven story lines, making Batman: Mask of the Phantasm a satisfying adventure yarn with all of the flourishes that fans had come to expect from the groundbreaking show. The scale of the tale is larger in both scope and emotional resonance as Bruce Wayne is tested by his memories of his first love and by his subsequent transformation into the crime-fighting superhero that all criminals fear. With solid voice talent backing up their three-dimensional roles and a real mystery intermixed with grand action scenes, the film makes for a nicely packaged Batman flick that, while geared toward the youngsters, still manages to keep a strong integrity for the character and his mythos. The film does have its dark underpinnings, though, as seen years after the character's later incarnations, but signature moments do tend to be played a tad lighter than usual (Bruce and Alfred's banter especially). Still, it's a solid story that's handled expertly by people who nailed the hero long before Joel Schumacher went and destroyed him. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Robert Costanzo  Actor 
Marilu Henner  Actor 
Bob Hastings  Actor 
Alan Burnett  Screenwriter 
Eric Radomski  Director 
Bruce Timm  Director 
Bruce Timm  Producer 
Michael E. Uslan  Producer 
Shirley Walker  Composer (Music Score) 
Benjamin Melniker  Producer 
Paul Dini  Screenwriter 
Michael Reaves  Screenwriter 
Tom Ruegger  Executive Producer 
Martin Paso  Screenwriter 
Kevin Conroy  Actor 
Dana Delany  Actor 
Hart Bochner  Actor 
Mark Hamill  Actor 
Stacy Keach  Actor 
Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.  Actor 
Abe Vigoda  Actor 
Dick Miller  Actor 
John Ryan  Actor 

Country: USA