Batman Mask of the Phantasm Blu Ray Review

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (Blu-ray Review)

Review Date: Jul 26, 2017
Format: Blu-ray Disc

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (Blu-ray Review)

Director

Eric Radomski, Bruce W. Timm

Release Date(south)

1993 (July 25, 2017)

Studio(s)

Warner Bros. Animation (Warner Archive Collection)

Film/Program Grade: A-
Video Grade: A-
Audio Grade: B+
Extras Grade: D+

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (Blu-ray Disc)

Review

The success of Batman: The Animated Series allowed its original creators, Eric Radomski and Bruce West. Timm, some room to experiment with the show in other formats, principally movies. The showtime out of the gate was Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (sometimes referred to every bit Batman: The Animated Picture). Released to theaters in 1993, it told the story of the caped crusader taking on the mysterious Phantasm, who is killing mob bosses all over Gotham City with Batman taking the blame. On the hunt from the cops, equally well as trying to discover the Joker's part in all of information technology, Batman must find a fashion to solve the riddle of Phantasm while at the same fourth dimension reconciling a relationship tied to his dark past.

Most cite Mask of the Phantasm equally one of the all-time best Batman movies, blithe or otherwise, and for good reason. It's a brisk, well-told story with little fat to it, only as well adds some necessary character development. Beingness a continuation of the original series, information technology stays true to the characters, the story, and the blitheness style, but expands upon the mythos of Batman and Gotham City's underworld. We larn through flashbacks of Bruce Wayne's lost love who is intrinsically connected to his encumbered desire of becoming the Batman, while at the same time post-obit the developing plot of the Phantasm. All of the serial' main cast returns, including Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Bob Hastings, and Efrem Zembalist, Jr. At that place'south also a variety of new voices added to the mix, including Dick Miller, Dana Delaney, Stacey Keach, and Abe Vigoda.

The flick was unfortunately a failure at the box office, despite gaining disquisitional acclaim. Originally meant to exist a direct to video film, Warner Bros. decided old during production that it should be a theatrical release instead. The filmmakers were and then forced to matte down the full frame presentation in lodge to make it more theatrically presentable. They were besides put under enormous pressure to finish the film in even less time than they had originally planned, which included finishing a lengthy and expensive opening credit sequence that swoops through a CGI version of Gotham City. All of the trouble ended upwardly existence worth it though as Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is now considered both a cult classic and fan favorite.

For Warner Archive'due south Blu-ray presentation of the motion-picture show, they've chosen to apply both the originally intended open up matte version, as well as the theatrical widescreen version. Right upwardly front end, it should be articulate that this is a new scan of the original negative, non the original blitheness cels. As a consequence, whatever and all flaws are still present, including certain shots beingness slightly out of focus, and any imperfections in the glass plates during capture. That said, information technology's certainly more organic-looking than anything on Blu-ray from Disney's manus-drawn blithe catalogue. Personally, I've e'er felt that it's a necessary part of the process and that any blemishes information technology may carry are what requite it its personality. I understand that non all folks are going to agree with me on this, and then here are some screen-caps to give you a ameliorate idea, in both widescreen and full frame.

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (full frame)

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (widescreen)

Every bit you can come across, it's a very true-blue presentation. Despite one version being open matte, there'south all the same some additional information along the left and right edges in the widescreen version. I also recollect that given the material, both have a very clean and solid look, without heavy-handed edge enhancement or sharpening. Colors splash quite well during daytime sequences while black levels characteristic a bit of noise because of the grain. Contrast probably could have been slightly dialed up a couple of degrees, merely overall brightness is satisfying. It's every bit well-baked an prototype as you lot're going to become off of the original negative, and at least for me, information technology'southward a satisfying presentation.

For the audio, a unmarried English language 2.0 DTS-Hard disk drive track has been included. Although the motion picture isn't completely stuffed with stereo activity, there are enough of flourishes of pans from left to right every bit cars pass in the city street, or as someone runs away toward the groundwork. Dialogue is e'er clean and clear and sound furnishings, while not flat, are not overly potent either. However, Shirley Walker'south magnificent score is quite robust. A 5.1 soundtrack probably would have benefited the presentation, including sweetening the audio effects a bit, but this stereo rail is excellent for what it is. Optional subtitles are included in English SDH while the only actress available is the original theatrical trailer.

Having not watched Batman: Mask of the Phantasm in a while, it's wonderful to revisit it. It's a strong piece of material and definitely one of the best Batman movies. Though information technology bears some resemblance to Batman: Year Two, it certainly steps out on its own and gives us a not bad chapter in the DC universe. Warner Archive's release of it probably won't satisfy all fans, but for those of us who have wanted some of these titles in loftier definition for quite a while, information technology'due south overnice to finally take at least one of them. Hopefully this will lead to bigger things, such equally a footing-upwards restoration of Batman: The Animated Series. A pipage dream, only not totally out of the realm of possibility.

- Tim Salmons

Batman Mask of the Phantasm Blu Ray Review