9 Reasons Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm Is The Best DC Film Of All-Time

While most of the Internet will have you know that Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight or Tim Burton's Batman is the greatest DC film of all-time, I'm here to tell you that they're wrong. Yes, come at me, Internet bros, because the title of the best belongs to the 1993 masterpiece known as Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. Helmed by the same incredible team that brought us Batman: The Animated Series, this feature film has become a cult classic over the years. In fact, no other DC movie has come close to matching this 76-minute extravaganza's down-to-the-nail depiction of both Bruce Wayne and Batman. I could list at least a thousand reasons to celebrate this film, but since I know that you're probably going to head off and watch it now that I've mentioned it, I've chosen the 9 big ones to keep this relatively short. As always, healthy debate is welcome. So, if you agree or disagree with this topic (or even the reasons), sound off in the comments section down below. Without further ado, let's examine why Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is the bee's knees. Cue Danny Elfman's legendary theme. The Origin Of Batman Much like Peter Parker's Uncle Ben, I'm sure that Thomas and Martha Wayne are sick and tired of seeing their deaths replayed (or re-imagined) over and over again. I guess it's essential to understanding Bruce's motives in becoming Batman, but it's become a tired cliché of every Batflick so far. Here, in Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, we see more of how Bruce became the Caped Crusader, moving away from the reasons why of other films. It isn't an origin story per se, however, only utilizing selective flashbacks that enhance the main plot. This is a welcome change, since becoming a crime fighter isn't just a quick transformation in a telephone booth (gotcha, Clark). I mean, just last week, I thought about saving a colleague from a potential written warning but lunch beckoned, so I had to make the tough choice of which sandwich to eat. Watching Bruce foil an armored car robbery and then realize that he didn't strike enough fear into the criminals was a monumental moment in this animated feature. Even without the iconic cape and cowl, Bruce proved he'll always be a badass deep down. The Loneliness Of The Crime-Fighting Life For as long as the character has been around, we've always seen Batman as perpetually alone - somewhat apprehensive and afraid of having a significant other due to his lifestyle. However, his relationship with Andrea Beaumont showed us how he would've thrown away the crime-fighting escapades for a lifetime of routine with her, only to have his heart broken by her calling off the engagement. Yes, being Batman is a burden, but do you really think that Bruce likes to go to bed alone all the time? This film is a real emotional journey into the psyche of the man, who has given up any form of normality for a vow. It's deeply tragic and somewhat Shakespearean, if you think about it. We've yet to see such a vulnerable and emotional Bruce like we did in this film. It peeled back the layers and showed us there's a real person with real feelings and emotions, which we don't always see in other adaptations. After all, no one knows what it's like to be the sad man… The Phenomenal Voice Cast In 1993, Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill had only voiced Batman and the Joker, respectively, in the animated series. This feature marked the first time they'd taken their roles to another level outside the realms of Saturday morning cartoons. Two decades later, however, it's safe to say that it was a rather successful and fruitful exercise. Complemented by the voice talents of Stacy Keach as the Phantasm, Dana Delany as Andrea, and the late Bob Hastings as Commissioner Jim Gordon, the all-star cast brought their A-game to this production. Can you honestly think of a better group of voice actors than the one assembled for this film? If you say Madagascar, please leave this page… While this particular era of Batman is strongly associated with Conroy and Hamill, it's only fair to remember all the other supporting stars who contributed to its success. A special mention must also go to Andrea Romano for her outstanding voice direction work here. Crafting The Joker's History At the point in time of this film's release, many of us still had Tim Burton's depiction of the Joker as being the former mobster Jack Napier at the back of our minds. Truth be told, it's actually my favorite "backstory" of the Clown Prince of Crime as it adds credibility to his lust for killing. I'm sorry, Alan Moore, but while The Killing Joke is a great book overall, the whole failed comedian shtick is blah. In Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, the Joker was shown to be one of Salvatore Valestra's thugs, implying he was responsible for the murder of Carl Beaumont. I don't know about you but I geeked out seeing the Ace of Knaves without his trademark outfit and makeup in the flashback sequences. It added some, dare I say, humanity to him. It might not be a huge origin story for him, but it's still some history for a notoriously enigmatic character. What this movie showed us is that we don't need a full from birth to clown rundown of his past; we just want to know a little bit more about him. The Pitch-Perfect Music Apart from the stunning visual aesthetic of the film, the music was spot-on as well. Naturally, this was all due to the late Shirley Walker's brilliant influence. Walker, in case you didn't know, was one of the pioneers for female film composers in Hollywood. Taking on the same sort of role that she had on the animated series, Walker orchestrated and composed the gargantuan score herself. She somehow managed to respect the original motifs and style introduced on the TV show while still making everything bigger and more impactful for the film. Even listening to this soundtrack today, it still holds up and takes you back to the scenes in vivid fashion. Sure, Danny Elfman was the one who created the iconic Batman theme, but it was Walker who defined the sound of an era. Her work on this production was simply outstanding and is likely to never be forgotten. Balance Between Darkness And Heart If you think about it, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is a pretty dark film by animation standards. There was blood, death, broken hearts, and the ending wasn't exactly sunshine and rainbows - yet, it worked and no one had a fat whine about it. You see, what the film did exceptionally well was to balance the darkness with enough heart and optimism. The motivations of the characters - whether good or bad - were clear, but you could still sympathize with both Bruce and Andrea's decisions. They weren't bad people; just people in different circumstances. Ultimately, though, they suffered because of their respective choices. When we think about all the criticism of the DCEU's initial dark approach, it's hard to wonder why the filmmakers didn't look back at this feature as a reference point. It's entirely possible to have a dark narrative, just as long as the theme of heart stays intact. Superheroes will experience tragedies and low points, but it's how they overcome them that should inspire us. The Non-Existent Hype Yes, you read that right. Nowadays, you can barely scroll through your social media feeds without seeing a story about a leaked scene, or an insider scoop about troubles in production paradise. The expectation bar is set extremely high for the get-go, perhaps sometimes unfairly. Back in 1993, no one really knew about this feature. In fact, the filmmakers blamed Warner Bros. for failing to market it successfully, as it initially struggled to make back its production costs. This is what made the experience that much more exciting, though - you didn't know what to expect when watching it. It was a genuine surprise for everyone who experienced it. How often can you say you've watched a film without seeing a trailer, synopsis, or a couple of reviews nowadays? It's practically impossible. So, maybe the lack of marketing actually ended up being a blessing in disguise for this animated adventure. What we wouldn't give to be completely awed by a superhero feature today. The Phantasm When last did you see an original, good villain created for a superhero production? Chances are it was probably the Phantasm. Not only was it gutsy to have a production based on an unknown and untested antagonist, without knowing how the fans would react, but it also proved that there's a place for non-canonical tales in the comic book movie world. We don't just need adaptations of Knightfall, Year One, or The Dark Knight Returns; we want the fresh stuff as well. As long as it's a good story, the fans will appreciate it. Since the film, the character has made several cameo appearances in other Batman properties. Surprisingly, though, the Dark Knight writers haven't really explored all the avenues they could with the Phantasm over the years. So, there's a story idea for your next Batman storyline, Tom King - and you're welcome, by the way. Solidifying Bruce And Alfred's Family-Like Bond Up until this film, we'd only seen Alfred as the sarcastic butler in the animated TV show. He was a great supporting character in his weekly appearances, but he truly came to the fore as Bruce's father figure and confidant in this feature. There's one real tug-on-the-heartstrings moment at the end when Alfred consoles Bruce and tells him that no one could've helped Andrea. It wasn't employer and employee, or vigilante and his aide, talking; it was family being there for family. Man, it hit me right in the feels. In a way, this relationship ties in with one of the earlier points about Bruce's loneliness. While he may believe he is all alone and can't have a normal life, he'll always have Alfred by his side. It's actually a heartwarming thought when you think of it. And that's a wrap. Tell us though, what do you think of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm? Is it your favorite DC film of all-time? Let us know in the comments section below.