Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

1993's BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM was the first animated theatrical feature for the titular superhero, though it was originally intended for a straight to home video release.  The result is sometimes visually awkward, with animation that impresses or disappoints depending on the scene.  I'm so damned picky about this.  The trend toward darker Batman tales was cemented by Tim Burton's 1989 BATMAN.  So when bits of the animation here reek of 1970s Superfriends, it was a bit deflating.  The backdrops, however, are always impressive, and evoke memories of the older comics. Directors Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm strike just the right tone and atmosphere. But the film's real strength is its story.  A tale that considers the Dark Knight's earliest days as an unsure caped crusader.  The billionaire Bruce Wayne's initial efforts at crime fighting/vigilantism, ones that almost stopped cold because of a young lady.

Andrea Beaumont catches his eye and flirts with him at a cemetary, where each are visiting a parent's grave.  The attraction is instant and intense.  Her father, a successful businessman, wholly approves.  Bruce Wayne proposes marriage, ready to leave bachelorhood (and armies of disappointed would-be Mrs. Waynes) behind for good.  All is well until he receives an unexpected letter from his beloved.  Andrea has suddenly left Gotham City with her dad, with no plans to return.  Has it something to do with the lowlife gangster money launderers Mr. Beaumont works with?

Batman is born.  A life dedicated to cleaning Gothan of its scum and villainy.  With no one with whom to settle down, and a burning memory of his parents' murders, the anger grows more intense.  Almost commensurate with Batman's ever increasing technology.  Years pass, and those same gangsters continue their larceny.  Each ends up dead, with Batman getting the blame.  But there's another dark figure in a cape doing the dispatching.  The Phantom, who seems to disappear in thin air and assumes a Grim Reaper-ish role.  Who is behind that mask?

Andrea comes back to town, but her demeanor has hardened.  During their lengthy "vacation", her father was found and killed by the Salvatore Valestra gang.  Bruce/Batman is conflicted by his ex-fiancee's return.  To make matters worse, old nemesis Joker re-emerges, with a possible connection to the gangsters.

Alan Burnett's story ingeniously weaves these characters' paths. The use of Joker in this story was especially gratifying and damned entertaining.  To a satisfying conclusion? That depends on you, dear viewer.  Batman's story rarely if ever has a "happy ending".  What can assuage the torment, the haunting? Apprehension or death of his foes? They only serve to feed it.  Without being a spoiler, I can say that BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM will provide another antagonist with similar issues to those of Bruce Wayne.  Thematically, this film is quite strong.

As is the voice cast. Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne and Batman.  Dana Delany as Andrea.  Stacy Keach as Mr. Beaumont.  Dick Miller as "Chuckie".  Even Abe Vigoda is on hand as Sal Valestra.  Special mention must go to Mark Hamill as Joker.  He really goes to town with it.