[BreakABone]

Ok falling behind on my viewing due to a number of things so figured I would mix it up a bit.

This will focus on the first of 3 movies and luckily enough for me the movies all go in order of quality.

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is a 1993 animated superhero film based on the fictional DC Comics character Batman. Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm directed the film, which stars Kevin Conroy as Batman, as well as Dana Delany, Hart Bochner, Mark Hamill, Abe Vigoda and Stacey Keach. The film's storyline introduces Andrea Beaumont, an old love interest of Bruce Wayne arriving into Gotham City, reintroducing the romance between the two. At the same time, a mysterious murderer begins systematically eliminating Gotham's crime bosses, and due to the person's dark appearance, he is mistaken for Batman. Now on the run, Batman must solve the mystery (which involves The Joker) and deal with the upheaval romance between him and Andrea.

I may get a lot of flank for this or I may not, but as an origin movie/tale I don't think any other version comes close. Begins is awesome as is Year One but this does so much right that it just fits.

One of the best parts of the movie is that you are shown that Bruce actually has a chance at happiness that vengeance will not rule his world but when that chance is taken away as well he finally decides to don the famous cape and cowl. I feel this extra element is missing in both Begins and Year One. Because a lot of people always argue why doesn't he give more money to the police or something and I think the answer that happiness will always be stolen from him erases all of that.

On to the rest of the movie
http://youtube.com/watch?v=En2mJ9BqfU4
First the movie opens with one of the most beautiful versions of the classic Batman themes. I am a total nerd for this, but it was the first thing I tested out when got my surround sound speakers. :lol


The movie starts off with a new figure haunting the underworld of Gotham.
A lot of people including politicians, mobsters and the police believe it to be the work of the Batman.
One of the driving elements is that Batman is getting the blame for all of these deeds which results in the police chase and the Joker being called in.


The first meeting of the two main character. Andrea and Bruce where they are both there to mourn lost one(s).


Bruce's first costume. Thanks to this he realizes he needs something more dramatic as he doesn't instill fear into his foes.


One of the best scenes in the movie even though it is so subtle. The police have mistaken the titular Phantasm for Batman so they set a trap for him by turning on the Batsignal and hoping to catch him but he outsmarts them and as this screen shows is actually driving away from a call for help for like the first time.



Hints of his future.
He seems the Batmobile at the Fair.
And he is designing his costume outside of Wayne Manor.


Bruce pops the question.
And gets a yes!


The next morning that is ripped away from him though...


He decides to don the costume.
Alfred's reaction to the birth of Batman.

There is so much more that could actually be said about this movie. As a Batman feature film it has the overall package. An intriguing mystery that he uses his detective skills to figure out. An appearance from his greatest foe. A love story that doesn't seem forced. An all out police chase of the Batman. I am sure there aren't many but if you have not seen this movie it comes with the highest of recommendations.

And as stated before this is the best of the animated Batman movies and they kind of go down in quality afterwards. (not counting Return of the Joker here since that is technically a Beyond movie)

Some choice quotes

REEVES (on TV): What kind of city are we running when we depend on the support of a potential MADMAN ?
ALFRED STOPS THE TV
ALFRED: Such rot, sir. Why, you're the very model of sanity. Oh, by the way, I pressed your tights and put away your exploding gas balls.
BRUCE: Thank you, Alfred.

BRUCE (to his parents' grave): It doesn't mean I don't care anymore. I don't want to let you down, honest, but... but it just doesn't hurt so bad anymore. You can understand that, can't you ? Look, I can give money to the city to hire more cops. Let's someone else take the risk, it's different now !
A LIGHTNING LIGHTS THE GRAVE
BRUCE: Please. I need it to be different now. I know I made a promise, but I didn't see this coming. I didn't count on being happy.

JOKER: I'm impressed, lady. You're harder to kill than a cockroach on steroids.