“Batman: Mask of the Phantasm” respects the character of Batman. It winningly combines personal drama and action with intrigue in keeping with Batman's classic comic adventures. Animated Batman vet Kevin Conroy once again lends his gritty voice to the Caped Crusader. Development for the film started after the success of “Batman: The Animated Series.” Warner Bros assigned Alan Burnett to write the story; he then collaborated with writers Paul Dini, Michael Reaves, and Martin Pasko. The original idea was to release the film as direct-to-video, but the studio decided for a theatrical release, giving the filmmakers a strenuous eight-month schedule. “Mask of the Phantasm” was released with positive critical success, but resulted in a dismal box office due to the decision to release the film in theaters on such short notice. The film has since found cult success through its various VHS and DVD releases. The filmmakers blamed Warner Bros for the poor marketing of the film. “Mask of the Phantasm” would eventually pass its $6 million budget with its various home video releases. FYI : Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert regretted not having viewed the film in its theatrical release. They did give a positive reaction, with Siskel feeling that “Phantasm” was better than “Batman Returns” and “Batman Forever,” and only slightly below “Batman.”
Batman's past has always refused to stay buried, but flashbacks instigated by Bruce's old flame allow writers Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, Martin Pasko, and Michael Reaves to delve into an untold chapter of Batman lore. That is how the Dark Knight Detective almost gave up his life as a crime-fighter for the love of a good woman. Thus, we get to see Batman's first, tentative nocturnal outing clad in a ninja-like outfit and to entertain the human, emotional demands on the usually stoic superhero.
The opening credits of “Batman: Mask of the Phantasm” are excellent and the music composed by Shirley Walker.
The Story
The film opens in Gotham City as Batman is stopping a counterfeit money operation by mob boss Chuckie Sol.
Sol manages to get away from Batman, but is then confronted by a mysterious and terrifying new vigilante called the Phantasm (voiced by Stacy Keach, Jr.) who tells Sol that his "angel of death awaits."
Batman is blamed for the death. Councilman Arthur Reeves tells the media that Batman is an irresponsible menace.
He then attends a party at the mansion of billionaire Bruce Wayne. During the party Bruce mingles with the ladies and a woman from his past throws wine on him to remind of his past. Reeves jokingly taunts Bruce for his bad luck with women and his having allowed an old girlfriend, Andrea Beaumont, to get away. In a flashback to Bruce's college days, we see him meet Andrea while visiting his parents' graves. Bruce has vowed to avenge his parents' murder by dedicating his life to fighting crime. He dons a mask and black ninja-styled outfit to foil an armored car robbery. He is discouraged that the criminals do not fear him. Around the same time, he begins a romance with Andrea. Eventually, Bruce decides to quit his plan of becoming a crime-fighter and proposes marriage to Andrea. However, Andrea mysteriously leaves Gotham with her father, ending her engagement to Bruce in a ‘Dear John’ letter. Believing that he has lost his only chance of having a normal life, Bruce finally dons the mask of Batman.
Buzz Bronski is killed in the cemetery as the he visits Sol's grave. The Phantasm is once again responsible and once again mistaken for Batman. Recognizing the serious danger he is in after both of his former partners are killed, a third, aged and asthmatic mob boss named Salvatore "The Wheezer" Valestra hires the only man he believes is capable of taking care of Batman…the Joker (voiced by the legendary Mark Hamill).
Andrea explains that she and her father had been hiding in Europe, from the Valestra mob which he owed a lot of money. Carl Beaumont eventually repaid them, but that did not satisfy them. Batman believes that Andrea's father may be the killer. Batman learns from Reeves that Beaumont was murdered some time before. Joker is also revealed to be the last surviving member of the Valestra mob: an unnamed hitman who personally murdered Beaumont for Valestra.
The Joker proves to be too much for The Phantasm. The killer is revealed to be Andrea herself. She is intent on avenging her father's death by killing the mobsters that he owed money, and who ordered Beaumont murdered. Batman arrives, Bruce begs Andrea to give up her desire for revenge. She refuses stating that they ruined her chances with Bruce, and that he himself is constantly fighting for revenge.
After a protracted battle, both the Joker and Andrea vanish in the confusion of fire and smoke, with Batman barely escaping into a waterway before a series of rigged explosions. Back in the Batcave, a heartbroken Bruce receives consolation from Alfred stating that no one could have helped Andrea. Bruce finds the locket with a picture of Bruce and Andrea in the cave.
Meanwhile, Andrea is on the deck of an ocean liner alone. The final scene shows Batman now permanently alone standing on top of a building, still grieving. The Batsignal emerges in the distance and Batman flies into action to continue his crusade against crime.
Here is the Actual Scene
The Fan-Cast
Eric Bana as Bruce Wayne\Batman
The Least popular pick among fans, I was looking for somebody serious and someone that has not been used a million times. He’s a billionaire industrialist whose parents were killed by a mugger when he was eight years old. After traveling the world for several years to seek the means to fight injustice, he returns to Gotham. At night, Bruce becomes Batman, Gotham City's secret protector.
Daniel Day Lewis is the Joker
The archenemy of Batman: It is revealed that he was once an assassin for Valestra who later hideously transformed into his more recognizable appearance. His identity is still unknown, as he was never referred by name. Valestra hires him to kill Batman, and is later killed by the Joker. Inevitably, the Joker functions as the main villain of the film.
Scarlett Johansson is Andrea Beaumont.
She is the woman Bruce meets after traveling the world. The decision to propose marriage leads to his abandoning plans to become a vigilante. However, after she unexpectedly and mysteriously leaves, Bruce's frustration lead to his becoming Batman.
Stacy Keach Jr. will do the voice over for The Phantasm as he did in Animated Classic. He's a legend!!
Josh Lucas is Arthur Reeves
Reeves is a corrupt city official who was once an interim for Carl Beaumont. He later becomes involved with Valestra's gang in order to gain the influence to enter City Council, and is poisoned by The Joker. His last appearance is in the Gotham City Mental Hospital, recovering from the effect of exposure to the Joker's poisonous chemicals and went insane.
Stephen McHattie is Salvatore "The Wheezer" Valestra
Valestra is a powerful crime boss who practically forces Carl Beaumont to leave. Once Andrea returns, he's nearly dying with the effects of aging and years of smoking. Fearing his death due to the murders of other crime bosses, he hires The Joker to kill Batman only to be killed by the Joker.
Michael Madsen is Det. Harvey Bullock
Bullock is a police detective of the Gotham City Police Department who is highly cautious and questions Batman's vigilantism.
William Hurt is Lt. James Gordon
Gordon is the police commissioner of Gotham City who refuses to capture Batman with the belief the Dark Knight isn't responsible for any of the killings done by The Phantasm. William Hurt can disappear in anything he does.
Christopher Plummer is Alfred Pennyworth
Alfred was once the trusted butler to Bruce Wayne's parents. After their deaths, he continues his loyal service Bruce. He is Bruce Wayne's closest confidante.
This is a Christopher Nolan story and style perfect for the movies..
Here is the Actual Trailer
The Soundtrack
There you have it. If I missed anything , I'm sure someone will let me know…politely.