Batman — Mask of the Phantasm

There are so many batman movies ( I am including the animated ones of course ) . I loved Nolan’s “Batman begins” as well as Tim Burton’s version. But I would put Mask of the Phantasm as the top Batman movie ( Dark Knight counts as Joker movie).

First of all, Mark Hamill as the Joker . Wow . I mean just wow. Who would have thought that Luke Skywalker would be a cult classic voice for one of greatest villains of all time. In a way he defined the Joker or created the Joker we know and love to hate. His voice brought out the craziness and fear that Joker brings.

Also , I think many will agree that Kevin Conroy is the Batman. Period. His batman has defined our childhood. The movie , the animated series and everything batman that I saw early in my life. Batman is not just batman , he is always Bruce Wayne. Well I mean the two different faces are almost two different people. Batman fights crime by creating fear among the enemies . Bruce Wayne is the pain that created Batman. I think the pain lets out its anger and justice in the form of Batman. In the movie, you almost see Bruce abandon Batman when he sees that he can be happy with Andrea. Her leaving him not only brings out the old pain but increases ten fold and you can see him don the cape ( I believe he was Batman way before that even without the costume).

Batman movies recently are more focused on whether or not he will cross the line of no return ; killing someone for justice or vengeance. That is surely an interesting way to understand Batman but Mask of Phantasm is more about what sacrifices Bruce Wayne has to endure in order to keep going. Before the high flying , gadget wielding man, Batman is a detective. The movie shows Batman doing detective work investigating the phantasm.

The music is beautiful and haunting. Do check it out. Batman’s theme gives you goosebumps everytime.