Till this very day, I’d still consider “Batman: Mask of the Phantasm” to be the best animated Batman film of all time. Even the musical score is absolute perfection and gives me chills.
I was too to remember if I ever seen this movie, but I could have when I was either two or three, this was apparently my first Batman movie, but possibly the first superhero movie I’ve seen.
I have a real soft spot for Treasure Planet (and the LEGO movie if my user avatar wasn't a giveaway), but Mask of the Phantasm is certainly up there. As for Batman films, I'd still put Return of the Joker ahead of it, but I loved Batman beyond so...
No doubt: it is a *great* movie, with just enough noir thrown into a superhero flick with 90s Batman psyche-focused goodness. But is it a great kids' movie? Not so much, and especially at the time that was their main market. It was hard to sell a noir love story to kids.
Mask of the Phantasm was the definition of "ahead of its time." Literally just a few years after this came out (Toy Story came out just two years after this), theatrical animated features really hit a high point in terms of quality and story telling, and were films that literally the whole family could enjoy.
I had the comic adaptation before the movie came out, so I had basically already seen the movie before the movie. People didn't care much about spoilers back then. I don't think it became an issue until Bruce Willis in the Sixth Sense.
I remember seeing the Phantasm figure in toy stores, didn't think of it being a spoiler. Then again, I was only a kid at the time and the concept of a spoiler was unknown to me.
@@Jellyvibe It was the first time Ebert ever liked a Batman film. He later liked the Nolan movies and Siskel enjoyed Burton's Film and Batman Forever but thought Mask of the Phantasm was better than Forever which was out when they reviewed Batman Mask of the Phantasm as it was a Video review and they admitted it was a mistake not to review it when in theaters.
Actually both of them gave Batman 1989 two thumbs up and that was way before Mask of the Phantasm. But they still said Mask of the Phantasm was better.
@@excaliber2010 The Batman 1989 review is on UA-cam and while Ebert admired the design of the film and special effects he disliked pretty much everything else. Personally I love Batman 1989.
They were genuinely disappointed they didn't review it when it was in theaters, possibly because without their review at the time it didn't help it get the attention they felt it deserved, they couldn't praise it enough.
I was part of the “Cult Following” audience when it arrived on home release. However.... Nearly 20 years later, some theaters did an ALL Batman movie marathon leading to the midnight release of “The Dark Knight Rises”, and MOTP was included which allowed me to FINALLY see it in theaters the way it was meant to be seen!!
Some American cinemas also screened Mask Of The Phantasm in fall 2018 for its 25th anniversary. Despite, it not coming to any cinemas near me, I hope that at some future date I can see it on the big screen.
I saw it in the cinema last year during a one night only screening. I ended up feeling really awkward seeing it because there was only two other people in there with me a little kid and what I assumed was his older brother who both left after about 10 minuets making me feel really awkward as a 20 year old watching an animated Batman movie on my own at 6 in the afternoon, what made it worse was that people kept coming in and leaving as I watched it. First was a couple who I guess went into the wrong room and was then followed by staff members who had to come in every now and again to make sure Covid regulations were being followed. Love the movie but that entire experience felt awkward to me
Every time the topic of who is the best Batman on film I always get annoyed Kevin Conroy gets left out. This is by far the best Batman film produced and the actors should get the appropriate appreciation.
He never gets left out because there is always at least one person in the comments nominating him and then joined in by everyone else calling him underrated, to the point of cliche
Man. Christmas Day, 1993: myself, my little sister and three friends all got dropped off at the Mann’s Pasadena for the afternoon matinee and spent the next ninety minutes being utterly mesmerized. I don’t remember a single other thing about that day other than the movie, but-so many years later-that’s more than enough.
Right before the pandemic closed everything, I got to see a matinee rescreening of this movie in theaters. I had never even heard of this movie before then but was blown away by how engaging, cinematic, and dark it was. Now that BTAS is on HBOMax I have been enjoying this era of Batman that I was a little to young to see on TV.
God...could you imagine getting invited to come on over with you and your friends and sit with Mark Hammil and watch Mask of the Phantasm with him on Christmas in a neigh empty theatre? That would've been amazing!
I watched this on VHS as a kid, no theater. But I'm fairly confident that between my brother and I, we had almost all of the merch that went along with the movie. I really enjoyed the smaller sized comic that followed the movie nicely. My dad, not being a big superhero fan, calls it his favorite animated movie. It is certainly top 5 for me. Thank you for making this video to allow me to reminisce!
How is it that here, in the year two thousand and nineteen, we have yet to see someone release a retail version of those weird translucent cubes that get blown up/knocked over by projectiles in every 90s toy commercial? Great video, though. I just wish I had some cubes.
You're not wrong, but I had some as an older kid, they were assorted colors and sizes and I never used them for play with action figures. I think they were from a stationary store.
Mask of the Phantasm is hands down the best Batman Movie to date, delivering a heart felting story a great retelling of the already known origin story and best of all a perfect moment of Bruce Wayne considering the chance of ending his vigilante career. Its a Jewel that lives not in the box office records but in the hearts of the true dark knight fans.
I'm kind of glad I didn't see this as an 11 year old, I don't think I would have been able to appreciate it. I remember friends of mine who saw said it was boring. I watched it in my 30s, oddly enough, on laser disc for my first time, and wow from the music note I knew I was in for something special and I was right. I loved the series and this movie put a nice exclamation on a great series for me. I don't think the 11 year old me would have enjoyed it, but 30 year old me is happy it exists and is great.
I remember wanting to see this in the theater but It did not happen. However, when I finally got to see it, I was amazed and thankful that my patience was rewarded with this masterpiece. It was very well written and it showed the struggle of doing a duty you felt assigned to do or taking a shot at love. I can't help but wonder if they marketed the movie properly, would we have seen a sequel and a reunion between Batman and Andrea. One could only imagine.
Still love this film, to this day... My grandmother actually took me to see it, when it came out. My favorite aspect of it was the World’s Fair inspired backdrop in the culmination, wherein the Joker found a temporary abode. I also really dug the Phantasm character. Such a great movie!
My first wife and I went to see it in Victoria, B.C. on opening night. We shared the theater with about 35 people. Movie got a standing O when the credits ran. Speaking of, you remember the song by Tia Carrere?
It did not get a wide release. I had to catch it in a second run theater. It is popular enough that Fathom Events had special showings of it more than a year ago.
I really wanted to see this movie in the theater, but I was living in Casper, WY at the time and none of the theaters in town were showing it. Saw it on video and loved it.
I'm another lucky soul that saw this in a (mostly empty) theater, in a mall that was in it's final stages of life. Still glad I was able to see it that way.
Batman Mask of the Phantasm is my favorite animated movie of all time and It introduced me to Batman and I loved it every time as a child and I loved it to this day.
There is something powerful about how Bruce has to _beg_ his parent's memories to forgive him for finding happiness. Definitely hold it up there alongside the Burton Batman movies. Love the imagery/aesthetic and atmosphere that these takes of Batman gave us.
This movie leap of faith... The animated series was spot on, but it was a franchise out of place/time. Like many cult movies, this movie's success needed time to pass before it was considered a success.
Okay, this was my first Christmas away from home since joining the military. My friends and I overslept and missed Christmas dinner at the Chow Hall and all the restaurants were closed. We ended up going to this movie and my first Christmas dinner away from home was movie theater popcorn watching this movie! Kinda lame, but I have fond memories of this movie.
I saw it in theaters too and it was awesome! I did find it unusual that the film was not more well-known at the time. The Phantasm was a great villian, very iconic. A+ video.
Toy Galaxy: I wont spoil the twist so let me censor the toy with this ironically chosen gif Also Toy Galaxy @ 11:41: Lemme spoil the twist right quick.
I'm thoroughly convinced the success of Spider-Man into the Spiderverse can be attributed to now adult fans, with their kids, not letting the travesty of this great Batman film, and the animation genre in general go unnoticed again. I was 17 and a huge fan of the series and knew this was in theaters. One of my friends went on Xmas without me, and by the time I convinced my parents to let me go by myself, it was already gone. As soon as it hit BBV like 3 months later I rented and made a copy for myself on VHS
I was a kid at the time and I remember there being absolutely no marketing for a theatrical release, but I do remember the commercials pushing the home video release. I never learned it ever had a theatrical release until I was already an adult. I didn't actually see it until it aired on Cartoon Network MANY years later.
Toy Galaxy: Doesn’t show the full packaging for Mask Of The Phantasm toy to avoid spoilers Also Toy Galaxy: Shows Phantasm in Batman Beyond while talking about their identity
Your matter of fact summation of the Phantasm's methods got me good. I freaking love this movie, and whenever people praise Batman Begins I tell them to watch this for the best Batman origin on film. Also, as a kid, a lot of imagery in this film was unnerving and creepy, and I loved it! The Phantasm, the dilapidated theme park, Joker's presence, it was the total package. I couldn't snap up the DC Collectibles Phantasm fast enough, and even considered buying the Funko Pop, before I came to my senses. Thanks for the informative nostalgia trip. That said, nothing disappoints me more than hearing all-around authorial failure and self-insert fanfiction writer, Tom King, will be handling her entry into the official canon. Way to blow it, DC.
I saw "Mask of the Phantasm" twice in the theater when it was released. The first time was with my wife, and it was shown in one of the big theaters with a huge screen and booming surround sound, etc., and there were actually quite a few people there. I thought it was awesome!! I took my nephew to see it a few days later, and he loved it as well. It remains my favorite theatrically released Batman movie.
Saw it in the theater with my best friend the weekend it was released. We were 19 and had graduated high school the year before. The only other people in the theater were a group of young teenagers who heckled the WB animation logo and several of the early sequences (clearly they were far too “mature” for this kiddy stuff). But as the film went on, they got quieter and quieter. I think the film was just so good that it won them over, even though, as Ebert pointed out, animation was still largely seen as kids’ stuff. I loved the film and thought that-freed from kids BS&P-the movie’s presentation of Mark Hamill’s Joker was the closest to the character I knew from the comics I had ever seen (and maybe still the closest I’ve ever seen). It was and is a classic!
Yeah, that was the thing (I'm a year younger than you at the time and still in HS). However, having grown up in the "Sunbow/Filmation/Hanna-Barbara-Ruby Spears" world where BS&P ruled with an iron fist (for the most part), you had three toy-commercial cartoons that redefined everything: Batman:TAS, Exo-Squad, X-Men:TAS. I would add "Gargoyles" to the mix but that was definitely college. But in that day and age, "animation" (Outside of the Simpsons and Beavis and Butthead), was still seen as "kids only". Despite the fact a lot of Filmation shows (Fat Albert, Marshal Bravestarr) dealt with a LOT of adult subject matter with little to no kid gloves. Hell, I saw "The Price" when it originally aired at age 11 and still have PTSD from it.
What about spawn tas, heavy metal, watership down, plague dogs, the maxx, wizards, fantastic planet, fritz the cat, American pop, allegro non troppi, Starchaser? Fire and ice, Ninja Scroll, Akira etc? Those got rid of the animation is for kids mindset
My dad and I and a friend of his were three of like a dozen people who saw it opening weekend. Dad is a big Batman fan but was skeptical of going to see a "cartoon." He liked it, I loved it. My second favorite Bat-movie (Dark Knight still wins).
It was a good movie. Pretty adult themes considering the time/genre. Good soundtrack too. ::: Now you've made me break out my dvd and have to watch it again!
An old friend of mine and I went to see this in theaters and was absolutely taken aback. I enjoyed the film and even enjoy watching good animation on the big screen. Years before, I watched the Professional Golgo 13 on the big screen and I began to admire animation on the big screen. Batman The Mask of the Phantasm's soundtrack is one of many themes I enjoy listening to in my collection. The ending of the movie was also very emotional to me when Batman lost Andrea and then he sees the Bat Signal blaze above the Gotham skyline to be summoned again. Even Tia Carrere's song, I Never Told You is a great song for the this film. I wish the upper execs put more thought into this movie and do what was right for it and not mess with the creative process. They should have marketed this film better and it would have been the best Christmas film for that decade.
I saw Mask of Phantasm at least twice in the theater. Things were very different in 1993. Very few, if any, non-Disney animated movies did well at the box office. Coming out the same year, even "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (released under Disney's "Touchstone Pictures") was considered a flop during it's theatrical run.
Yes, I am proud to say that I was one of the nobodies who went to see this masterpiece of a film in the movie theater when it premiered on Christmas Day 1993. I loved it then, and I love it to this very day! You mentioned the soundtrack composed by Shirley Walker, and the fact that Hans Zimmer had a hand in it as well. Yay! However, you forgot to mention the end credits love song "I Never Even Told You", sung by Tia Carrere (Cassandra from the Wayne's World movie). Boo Hiss! Another bone of contention was your mispronunciation of Andrea Beaumont's given name. Slap on the hand to you from me. I am, however, excited to learn that the characters of Andrea and The Phantasm are going to be brought in to the proper DC Comics universe after all this time!!!
I remember when this show premiered on ..Sunday? nights, they marketed it as Batman: The Series. It was pretty quickly moved to Fox Kids on Saturday morning. Fun fact in 2 part episodes they just say "Last time on Batman.."
I was one of the rare people that saw in the theatre. A friend and myself saw it on opening day and absolutely loved it. I remember thinking it was as "mature" a story as any of the live action movie(s) and it's really sad that the theatre release didn't find it's target market. I still love everything about the movie to this very day. ;) Keep the awesome videos coming!!! ^_^
I was a senior in high school at the time when the movie was released. I was hanging out with some girls and for some reason we opted to watch Pelican brief which i later regretted
I still have my VHS copy of this. I found it sometime in the late 90s while browsing in the movie section of Walmart. Until seeing this video, I just assumed it was a DTV release. I had no Idea it made it to theaters.
9:11 they blamed the lack of marketing on the film's initial failure? I would have blamed the lack of marketing _on_ the studio and blamed the lack of marketing _for_ the film's initial failure
I was a big fan of the series and loved this movie but don't remember it being in theaters in my area or else I would have tried to go see it. Great video!
Mask of the Phantasm is my favourite Batman movie, and for good reason. It embodies the character like no other and the concept of Bruce falling in love before he became Batman is a fantastic one for a feature film.
I was 23 when it came out and saw it in the theatre. A twin theatre in a mall that had seen better days and has since been renovated. I think the other theatre was playing "Army Of Darkness". The film is amazing. I was hooked the moment I heard the opening strains of Shirley Walker's score. I'm surprised that you didn't mention that the choral chanting in the opening theme consists of the names of the orchestrators and others sung backwards. I would rank Walker's score among the best Batman has to offer.
I've seen this twice in theaters-25 years apart. I always loved how, at only PG, you could still see Batman crack Joker in the face enough for blood and a knocked out tooth.
In my country this movie sadly didn't even make it to theaters. I first watched it as part of a Christmas Batman animated marathon on TV several years later. I do remember, however, remarking to my brother that the plot was so good it deserved to have been made into an actual non-animated movie with actors. I learned about its actual theatrical release history just now with this video. What a shame...
I went with my best friend Jeremy to see this in Amarillo, Texas on Christmas Day, 1993. We were the only people in the theater. It was amazing beyond words. (The Mark Hamill story you mentioned warms the cockles of my heart.) It makes me wonder: would it even be possible for the release of ANY licensed work based on such a well-known character - film, game, etc. - to fly "under the radar" in our present day? Much less one bankrolled and released by a major studio like Warner?
I can remember going to the theatre to watch another movie, and seeing a lobby standee advertising the movie. That was the only ad for the movie that I saw before release.
I saw Mask of the Phantasm twice in theaters, once when it came out and again for a special anniversary showing Fantom did. Both times I was the only one in the theater.
Beane, same (senior year was 93-94). Batman Forever was MAJOR weak-sauce given my love of Richard Mull (Bull Shannon 😉) as Two-Face (his FREAKING origin story alone CANNOT be topped by what they did in live-action twice) and John Glover as the Riddler. "What is Reality?" is still my favorite Riddler episode.
saw this a few months back in the theater, this explains why the resolution was different in a few scenes since it was originally meant for direct to home video
I, too, watched this film in the theater (with my best friend and about 10 other people) and walked out of it thinking "this is the best thing ever, why don't people know about this?" Bought it on VHS the day it came out (complete with mini-comic) and still have it, and the soundtrack (contains a nice little tune sung by Tia Carrere btw), and the '99 DVD release. I firmly believe that, with the proper marketing, this movie could have joined Disney's Beauty and the Beast as the only animated features nominated for a Best Picture Oscar- its just that good. Many thanks, Dan, for shedding some much-needed light on an incredibly good film.
I really loved how the old Batman the Animated series actually touched upon darker subjects and somewhat mature themes. It totally sucked me when I was younger, and the plot of Phantasm was definitely more complex than anything else I was watching in my pre-teen years.
I was 22 and "between girlfriends" when I went to see this with my ex's brother in St. Louis. I've always loved it, along with the Max Fleischer Superman cartoons. I think I'll watch Batman tonight on DC Universe! Great video, as always.
As I recall, the newspaper said it came out at or around Christmas Eve or the day of, as such we did not go see it. After all, a week spent buying up, and a morning spent opening, putting together, playing with and cleaning up after (some time literall*) mountains of toys, we spent the rest of the day watching King of Kings BOTH VHS tapes worth. It not being Batman's Birthday, we did not go see it. I was told we'd see it on the weekend, but by then they pulled it from theathers. *Looking at you Snake Mountain & Crystal Castle and batcaves...
Saw it in the theater 1993. I was 31. Saw it with my 2 friends. Yes, you know what that means... There was 3 people in the theater. I really enjoyed it, but I remember being caught off guard that it showed up in theaters almost unannounced.
Somehow managed to get my mom and her bf at the time to take us to the movies to see this, and I still love this movie to this day. I think the only Batman movies I would put ahead of it would be Dark Knight and Batman 89.... maybe Batman Begins.
I agree, her song " I Never Even Told You" still gives me chills to this day. Defiantly another reason why I enjoy this movie so much. I really wish that the Blu Ray release had some bonus features on it. HBO aired a making of feature back in the day that features Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Dana Delaney, composer Shirley Walker, producer/ writer Bruce Timm, and Batman creator Bob Kane. This feature is begging to be seen by fans both old and new alike. Also, I really wish that the Blu Ray had an audio commentary with the director and writers.
I actually saw this several times in the theater. The big mall where I grew up just opened a new theater as part of an expansion of the mall itself. They had a soft open with all screens free for 2 weeks then after the grand opening half of the screens free for like a month. Being a fam if TAS I went and saw Mask of the Phantasm somewhere up to 10 times there as free movie. That theater ended up being a great way to have a cheap quick date with different girls I'd met without breaking my limited high school kid bank at the time as well so it was doubly useful to me. Plus the theater was the nicest in town with the best sound system which had it pretty packed almost all the time. I ended up befriending one of the cashiers so I could get free tickets almost always which was an amazing thing that impressed way too many girls back then. But as a fan I found the multiple viewings had helped me to grasp some of the craftsmanship often used in cartoons and comics in particular. I was able to unravel some of the keys of storytelling and pacing in particular but even grasped how a score can aid in the immersive experience overall. That has helped me throughout my life in figuring out how to properly tell my own stories which makes Batman: MotP a fond memory for me at least.
I worked at a comic shop when the movie came out, and one of our regulars brought in a VHS tape of the movie. It has a 1-800 number that pops up throughout the movie that encourages you to call it and report where you got the tape from. Stands out in my mind as I think this was my first time coming across something for "industry people"
8:00 min mark... I realize some of those movies (from the weekend earnings) had clearly been in theatres awhile, but hot dayumn... that was a tough freaking weekend to compete with...
I don't remember seeing it advertised at all, but I started college in the fall of 93, so I wasn't really paying attention. Also, my college town had 8 screens total. If it wasn't a blockbuster, we'd have to wait for VHS. We didn't even have a Blockbuster! Just a Hastings and a couple of convenience stores that rented movies.
I saw Mask of the Phantasm twice. Original release late '93 and the re-release a year or so ago for the 25th anniversary. This is my favorite Batman movie.
My brother and i saw it the theater after seeing some commercials for it on the old crt Telly. but in my country - they showed it as a double feature with Grumpy Old Men.... and we had to sit thru that to watch Batman :(
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm probably would have done way better at the box office had it not been released on Christmas Day. because most people are spending Christmas with their families not going out to see a movie.
Well, the bigger issue there is that it just wasn't a Christmas-y movie, either. Lots of families go see movies during Christmas break, but generally not ones which are so overtly dark. "Let's celebrate the happiest time of the year by watching a movie about a man being psychologically and emotionally broken until he becomes a violent loner vigilante!" said nobody.
Saw it with 3 of my friends in the theatre. I screamed out "Batman got laid!!" at one point thinking it was just only us in the theatre. Yeah, the person at the other end of the theatre that I didn't know was there, heard it too.
Best scene in the movie, and maybe one of the best scenes in the series-Bruce Wayne dons The Batman’s mask like an executioner’s hood, both a dark promise to criminals and a personal curse...
My best friend and I were the only people in the theater to see the movie on Dec 25th.Its ashame the movie was marketed do poorly.It really deserved more attention than it got and was fantastic to see on the big screen.
Till this very day, I’d still consider “Batman: Mask of the Phantasm” to be the best animated Batman film of all time. Even the musical score is absolute perfection and gives me chills.
Possibly the best Batman film period.
I was too to remember if I ever seen this movie, but I could have when I was either two or three, this was apparently my first Batman movie, but possibly the first superhero movie I’ve seen.
I have a real soft spot for Treasure Planet (and the LEGO movie if my user avatar wasn't a giveaway), but Mask of the Phantasm is certainly up there. As for Batman films, I'd still put Return of the Joker ahead of it, but I loved Batman beyond so...
@@scottthewaterwarrior I love so of Batman
No doubt: it is a *great* movie, with just enough noir thrown into a superhero flick with 90s Batman psyche-focused goodness. But is it a great kids' movie? Not so much, and especially at the time that was their main market. It was hard to sell a noir love story to kids.
Mask of the Phantasm was the definition of "ahead of its time." Literally just a few years after this came out (Toy Story came out just two years after this), theatrical animated features really hit a high point in terms of quality and story telling, and were films that literally the whole family could enjoy.
And also the year after MOTP came out we got Lion King.
I'll never forget seeing the Phantasm figure. UNMASKED. BEFORE THE FILM CAME OUT.
The original spoiler
Same. That was a bullshit move.
The same thing also happened with the action figure of The Blank from the "Dick Tracy" live-action movie.
Hahhaha remember this as well and was like poison ivy ?!!!
I had the comic adaptation before the movie came out, so I had basically already seen the movie before the movie. People didn't care much about spoilers back then. I don't think it became an issue until Bruce Willis in the Sixth Sense.
I remember seeing the Phantasm figure in toy stores, didn't think of it being a spoiler. Then again, I was only a kid at the time and the concept of a spoiler was unknown to me.
Batman the Mask of the Phantasm is my favorite theaterical released Batman film.
Also first Batman film to get a thumbs up by both Siskel and Ebert.
Didn't at least one of them say they liked it better than whichever live action was out at the time?
@@Jellyvibe It was the first time Ebert ever liked a Batman film. He later liked the Nolan movies and Siskel enjoyed Burton's Film and Batman Forever but thought Mask of the Phantasm was better than Forever which was out when they reviewed Batman Mask of the Phantasm as it was a Video review and they admitted it was a mistake not to review it when in theaters.
Actually both of them gave Batman 1989 two thumbs up and that was way before Mask of the Phantasm. But they still said Mask of the Phantasm was better.
@@excaliber2010 The Batman 1989 review is on UA-cam and while Ebert admired the design of the film and special effects he disliked pretty much everything else. Personally I love Batman 1989.
They were genuinely disappointed they didn't review it when it was in theaters, possibly because without their review at the time it didn't help it get the attention they felt it deserved, they couldn't praise it enough.
I was part of the “Cult Following” audience when it arrived on home release.
However....
Nearly 20 years later, some theaters did an ALL Batman movie marathon leading to the midnight release of “The Dark Knight Rises”, and MOTP was included which allowed me to FINALLY see it in theaters the way it was meant to be seen!!
Some American cinemas also screened Mask Of The Phantasm in fall 2018 for its 25th anniversary. Despite, it not coming to any cinemas near me, I hope that at some future date I can see it on the big screen.
u luky sob
I saw it in the cinema last year during a one night only screening. I ended up feeling really awkward seeing it because there was only two other people in there with me a little kid and what I assumed was his older brother who both left after about 10 minuets making me feel really awkward as a 20 year old watching an animated Batman movie on my own at 6 in the afternoon, what made it worse was that people kept coming in and leaving as I watched it. First was a couple who I guess went into the wrong room and was then followed by staff members who had to come in every now and again to make sure Covid regulations were being followed. Love the movie but that entire experience felt awkward to me
I saw it when it was first released in the theater. Glad she was able to see it the way it was originally meant to be seen.
My 9 year old self dragged my dad to this movie, so I did my best to make it a hit...
you are like the kid in the startship troopers ad that "is doing his part" :D
Me too man!
I wasn't even born yet when this came out.
Every time the topic of who is the best Batman on film I always get annoyed Kevin Conroy gets left out. This is by far the best Batman film produced and the actors should get the appropriate appreciation.
He never gets left out because there is always at least one person in the comments nominating him and then joined in by everyone else calling him underrated, to the point of cliche
Man. Christmas Day, 1993: myself, my little sister and three friends all got dropped off at the Mann’s Pasadena for the afternoon matinee and spent the next ninety minutes being utterly mesmerized.
I don’t remember a single other thing about that day other than the movie, but-so many years later-that’s more than enough.
Mann's Pasadena (Ca) that's now a Trader Joe's?
Right before the pandemic closed everything, I got to see a matinee rescreening of this movie in theaters. I had never even heard of this movie before then but was blown away by how engaging, cinematic, and dark it was. Now that BTAS is on HBOMax I have been enjoying this era of Batman that I was a little to young to see on TV.
God...could you imagine getting invited to come on over with you and your friends and sit with Mark Hammil and watch Mask of the Phantasm with him on Christmas in a neigh empty theatre? That would've been amazing!
I watched this on VHS as a kid, no theater. But I'm fairly confident that between my brother and I, we had almost all of the merch that went along with the movie. I really enjoyed the smaller sized comic that followed the movie nicely. My dad, not being a big superhero fan, calls it his favorite animated movie. It is certainly top 5 for me. Thank you for making this video to allow me to reminisce!
How is it that here, in the year two thousand and nineteen, we have yet to see someone release a retail version of those weird translucent cubes that get blown up/knocked over by projectiles in every 90s toy commercial?
Great video, though. I just wish I had some cubes.
I think you’re on to something here. Playing with my toys was never as good as I thought it would be. Now I know why.... no translucent cubes!
You're not wrong, but I had some as an older kid, they were assorted colors and sizes and I never used them for play with action figures. I think they were from a stationary store.
These are not easy to find www.aliexpress.com/item/32480323468.html
THE GELATNIS CUBE!!!!!!!
Mask of the Phantasm is hands down the best Batman Movie to date, delivering a heart felting story a great retelling of the already known origin story and best of all a perfect moment of Bruce Wayne considering the chance of ending his vigilante career. Its a Jewel that lives not in the box office records but in the hearts of the true dark knight fans.
I'm kind of glad I didn't see this as an 11 year old, I don't think I would have been able to appreciate it. I remember friends of mine who saw said it was boring. I watched it in my 30s, oddly enough, on laser disc for my first time, and wow from the music note I knew I was in for something special and I was right. I loved the series and this movie put a nice exclamation on a great series for me. I don't think the 11 year old me would have enjoyed it, but 30 year old me is happy it exists and is great.
I remember wanting to see this in the theater but It did not happen. However, when I finally got to see it, I was amazed and thankful that my patience was rewarded with this masterpiece. It was very well written and it showed the struggle of doing a duty you felt assigned to do or taking a shot at love. I can't help but wonder if they marketed the movie properly, would we have seen a sequel and a reunion between Batman and Andrea. One could only imagine.
Imagine that great script and great acting are key to a great story.
Still love this film, to this day... My grandmother actually took me to see it, when it came out. My favorite aspect of it was the World’s Fair inspired backdrop in the culmination, wherein the Joker found a temporary abode. I also really dug the Phantasm character. Such a great movie!
Same, grandma took me to this in 93. Meatloaf again?
Love mask of the phantasm. “ I’m sorry do you want to be alone?”
“ I am”
sad ending
When I was still a fan of BTAS, I first watched the movie on the VHS, but I didn't know it was out in theaters until now.
My first wife and I went to see it in Victoria, B.C. on opening night. We shared the theater with about 35 people. Movie got a standing O when the credits ran. Speaking of, you remember the song by Tia Carrere?
"I won't spoil it by giving away the twist"
Moments later gives away the twist explaining Phantom's later appearance
Lol 😂 I realized that too
I honestly saw this in the theaters..In fact it’s the very 1st movie I took my son to see..He’s been a Bat dude ever since.. 🦇
It did not get a wide release. I had to catch it in a second run theater. It is popular enough that Fathom Events had special showings of it more than a year ago.
Saw it in theaters and loved it. Its one of my sons favorite movies. He watches it on VHS.
You're raising him right!
@@ImSonnyBurnett Bye punkass troll lol.
I really wanted to see this movie in the theater, but I was living in Casper, WY at the time and none of the theaters in town were showing it. Saw it on video and loved it.
Count me amongst the lucky few that saw this in theaters. 7 year old me got choked up at the end and my friends never let me live it down
As a kid I saw it on VHS decades ago with great joy. The internal turmoil of Bruce Wayne really hits harder as an adult.
I'm another lucky soul that saw this in a (mostly empty) theater, in a mall that was in it's final stages of life. Still glad I was able to see it that way.
Batman Mask of the Phantasm is my favorite animated movie of all time and It introduced me to Batman and I loved it every time as a child and I loved it to this day.
To this day
There is something powerful about how Bruce has to _beg_ his parent's memories to forgive him for finding happiness.
Definitely hold it up there alongside the Burton Batman movies. Love the imagery/aesthetic and atmosphere that these takes of Batman gave us.
This movie leap of faith... The animated series was spot on, but it was a franchise out of place/time.
Like many cult movies, this movie's success needed time to pass before it was considered a success.
They didn't market this movie right. It is one of the best Batman films ever made. Needs more love.
Okay, this was my first Christmas away from home since joining the military. My friends and I overslept and missed Christmas dinner at the Chow Hall and all the restaurants were closed. We ended up going to this movie and my first Christmas dinner away from home was movie theater popcorn watching this movie! Kinda lame, but I have fond memories of this movie.
I saw it in theaters too and it was awesome!
I did find it unusual that the film was not more well-known at the time.
The Phantasm was a great villian, very iconic.
A+ video.
Rented this from Blockbuster Video and dubbed it with my double door VCR. Now of THAT doesn't take you back....nothing will.
Saw it Christmas week in 1993 with my BTAS-loving friends; bought it promptly on VHS in the giant plastic clamshell case. Absolutely love that film.
More evidence that this is my favorite channel. Great video! Thank you!
I just recently came across your channel, and I enjoy your videos. I was one of those who saw Mask of the Phantasm in theaters, and loved it!!
Good job on not spoiling Phantasm's true identity! Great job Dan and producer Greg!
He kind of did when he talked about the Justice League Unlimited episode. =(
Toy Galaxy: I wont spoil the twist so let me censor the toy with this ironically chosen gif
Also Toy Galaxy @ 11:41: Lemme spoil the twist right quick.
xaayer I KNOW RIGHT. Went to the trouble of looping that clip over the toy just to undo that work anyway
I'm thoroughly convinced the success of Spider-Man into the Spiderverse can be attributed to now adult fans, with their kids, not letting the travesty of this great Batman film, and the animation genre in general go unnoticed again. I was 17 and a huge fan of the series and knew this was in theaters. One of my friends went on Xmas without me, and by the time I convinced my parents to let me go by myself, it was already gone. As soon as it hit BBV like 3 months later I rented and made a copy for myself on VHS
I was a kid at the time and I remember there being absolutely no marketing for a theatrical release, but I do remember the commercials pushing the home video release. I never learned it ever had a theatrical release until I was already an adult. I didn't actually see it until it aired on Cartoon Network MANY years later.
Learning to script by listening to yours. You're so very informative yet on point. Everything said is so well thought it and formulated. I love it.
Toy Galaxy: Doesn’t show the full packaging for Mask Of The Phantasm toy to avoid spoilers
Also Toy Galaxy: Shows Phantasm in Batman Beyond while talking about their identity
Your matter of fact summation of the Phantasm's methods got me good. I freaking love this movie, and whenever people praise Batman Begins I tell them to watch this for the best Batman origin on film. Also, as a kid, a lot of imagery in this film was unnerving and creepy, and I loved it! The Phantasm, the dilapidated theme park, Joker's presence, it was the total package. I couldn't snap up the DC Collectibles Phantasm fast enough, and even considered buying the Funko Pop, before I came to my senses. Thanks for the informative nostalgia trip.
That said, nothing disappoints me more than hearing all-around authorial failure and self-insert fanfiction writer, Tom King, will be handling her entry into the official canon. Way to blow it, DC.
Mask of the Phantasm one of the best Batman movies ever hands down
I saw "Mask of the Phantasm" twice in the theater when it was released. The first time was with my wife, and it was shown in one of the big theaters with a huge screen and booming surround sound, etc., and there were actually quite a few people there. I thought it was awesome!! I took my nephew to see it a few days later, and he loved it as well. It remains my favorite theatrically released Batman movie.
I loved that move, it was a kick to see Batman actually being a detective
Saw it in the theater with my best friend the weekend it was released. We were 19 and had graduated high school the year before. The only other people in the theater were a group of young teenagers who heckled the WB animation logo and several of the early sequences (clearly they were far too “mature” for this kiddy stuff). But as the film went on, they got quieter and quieter. I think the film was just so good that it won them over, even though, as Ebert pointed out, animation was still largely seen as kids’ stuff. I loved the film and thought that-freed from kids BS&P-the movie’s presentation of Mark Hamill’s Joker was the closest to the character I knew from the comics I had ever seen (and maybe still the closest I’ve ever seen). It was and is a classic!
Yeah, that was the thing (I'm a year younger than you at the time and still in HS). However, having grown up in the "Sunbow/Filmation/Hanna-Barbara-Ruby Spears" world where BS&P ruled with an iron fist (for the most part), you had three toy-commercial cartoons that redefined everything: Batman:TAS, Exo-Squad, X-Men:TAS. I would add "Gargoyles" to the mix but that was definitely college. But in that day and age, "animation" (Outside of the Simpsons and Beavis and Butthead), was still seen as "kids only". Despite the fact a lot of Filmation shows (Fat Albert, Marshal Bravestarr) dealt with a LOT of adult subject matter with little to no kid gloves. Hell, I saw "The Price" when it originally aired at age 11 and still have PTSD from it.
What about spawn tas, heavy metal, watership down, plague dogs, the maxx, wizards, fantastic planet, fritz the cat, American pop, allegro non troppi, Starchaser? Fire and ice, Ninja Scroll, Akira etc? Those got rid of the animation is for kids mindset
My dad and I and a friend of his were three of like a dozen people who saw it opening weekend. Dad is a big Batman fan but was skeptical of going to see a "cartoon." He liked it, I loved it. My second favorite Bat-movie (Dark Knight still wins).
It was a good movie. Pretty adult themes considering the time/genre. Good soundtrack too. ::: Now you've made me break out my dvd and have to watch it again!
An old friend of mine and I went to see this in theaters and was absolutely taken aback. I enjoyed the film and even enjoy watching good animation on the big screen. Years before, I watched the Professional Golgo 13 on the big screen and I began to admire animation on the big screen. Batman The Mask of the Phantasm's soundtrack is one of many themes I enjoy listening to in my collection. The ending of the movie was also very emotional to me when Batman lost Andrea and then he sees the Bat Signal blaze above the Gotham skyline to be summoned again. Even Tia Carrere's song, I Never Told You is a great song for the this film. I wish the upper execs put more thought into this movie and do what was right for it and not mess with the creative process. They should have marketed this film better and it would have been the best Christmas film for that decade.
Cool memory, thanks for sharing.
I saw Mask of Phantasm at least twice in the theater. Things were very different in 1993. Very few, if any, non-Disney animated movies did well at the box office. Coming out the same year, even "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (released under Disney's "Touchstone Pictures") was considered a flop during it's theatrical run.
I like how you avoided spoiling the Phantasm's identity in the middle of the video and then plastered it all over the last minute. Thanks! :P
Yes, I am proud to say that I was one of the nobodies who went to see this masterpiece of a film in the movie theater when it premiered on Christmas Day 1993. I loved it then, and I love it to this very day! You mentioned the soundtrack composed by Shirley Walker, and the fact that Hans Zimmer had a hand in it as well. Yay! However, you forgot to mention the end credits love song "I Never Even Told You", sung by Tia Carrere (Cassandra from the Wayne's World movie). Boo Hiss!
Another bone of contention was your mispronunciation of Andrea Beaumont's given name. Slap on the hand to you from me. I am, however, excited to learn that the characters of Andrea and The Phantasm are going to be brought in to the proper DC Comics universe after all this time!!!
I only ever saw it on vhs, so jealous of those who saw it in the cinema! Especially the folks who saw it with Mark Hamill!!
I actually went to see this in theaters, even though I was only a passing fan of the TV cartoon (as I got older, I appreciated the A.S. much more.)
I remember when this show premiered on ..Sunday? nights, they marketed it as Batman: The Series. It was pretty quickly moved to Fox Kids on Saturday morning. Fun fact in 2 part episodes they just say "Last time on Batman.."
I was one of the rare people that saw in the theatre. A friend and myself saw it on opening day and absolutely loved it. I remember thinking it was as "mature" a story as any of the live action movie(s) and it's really sad that the theatre release didn't find it's target market. I still love everything about the movie to this very day. ;)
Keep the awesome videos coming!!! ^_^
I was a senior in high school at the time when the movie was released. I was hanging out with some girls and for some reason we opted to watch Pelican brief which i later regretted
Senior as well at the time. Your mind was probably on the p---y you were thinking was going to happen afterwards so it's a forgivable offense. 😉
kids love the pelican brief
pelican brief?.....hahaha....thats funny
“Wow... that was pretty good” - Dan Larson
Best blurb ever 😂
I still have my VHS copy of this. I found it sometime in the late 90s while browsing in the movie section of Walmart. Until seeing this video, I just assumed it was a DTV release. I had no Idea it made it to theaters.
this is the best written story in Batman movie history
9:11 they blamed the lack of marketing on the film's initial failure? I would have blamed the lack of marketing _on_ the studio and blamed the lack of marketing _for_ the film's initial failure
Could we see an episode of Transformers: The Movie? It's one of my favorites.
Also for GI Joe the animated movie! 🐍 COBRA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA.!.!!!
There was also He-man and she-ra: Secret of the sword and Bravestarr the movie!
They'll ALWAYS be the real movies!
I'm going to the grave having not watched that Michelle Bay TRASH!
😒😒😒😒
Transformers the movie was good for a bout the first part up until (spoilers) Optimus died. After that it was weird
@@ronjeremy992 it’s kinda hard to judge movies when you haven’t watched them, no?
I was a big fan of the series and loved this movie but don't remember it being in theaters in my area or else I would have tried to go see it. Great video!
Mask of the Phantasm is my favourite Batman movie, and for good reason. It embodies the character like no other and the concept of Bruce falling in love before he became Batman is a fantastic one for a feature film.
I was 23 when it came out and saw it in the theatre. A twin theatre in a mall that had seen better days and has since been renovated. I think the other theatre was playing "Army Of Darkness".
The film is amazing. I was hooked the moment I heard the opening strains of Shirley Walker's score. I'm surprised that you didn't mention that the choral chanting in the opening theme consists of the names of the orchestrators and others sung backwards. I would rank Walker's score among the best Batman has to offer.
God batman the animated series was so good just such good material
Metting Mark Hamill and watching a Batman movie must have been one of those "I'm not making this up it REALLY did happen!" experiences.
Possibly the greatest Batman movie ever made.
I remember seeing that episode of Siskel and Ebert... ah, simpler times. Lol
I saw it in theaters twice!🖤🦇🎬
I've seen this twice in theaters-25 years apart. I always loved how, at only PG, you could still see Batman crack Joker in the face enough for blood and a knocked out tooth.
In my country this movie sadly didn't even make it to theaters. I first watched it as part of a Christmas Batman animated marathon on TV several years later. I do remember, however, remarking to my brother that the plot was so good it deserved to have been made into an actual non-animated movie with actors. I learned about its actual theatrical release history just now with this video. What a shame...
I went with my best friend Jeremy to see this in Amarillo, Texas on Christmas Day, 1993. We were the only people in the theater. It was amazing beyond words. (The Mark Hamill story you mentioned warms the cockles of my heart.) It makes me wonder: would it even be possible for the release of ANY licensed work based on such a well-known character - film, game, etc. - to fly "under the radar" in our present day? Much less one bankrolled and released by a major studio like Warner?
I can remember going to the theatre to watch another movie, and seeing a lobby standee advertising the movie. That was the only ad for the movie that I saw before release.
I saw Mask of the Phantasm twice in theaters, once when it came out and again for a special anniversary showing Fantom did. Both times I was the only one in the theater.
I was in high school when that came out. My friends and I saw it in the theater. It made Batman Forever seem that much worse when we went to see that.
Beane, same (senior year was 93-94). Batman Forever was MAJOR weak-sauce given my love of Richard Mull (Bull Shannon 😉) as Two-Face (his FREAKING origin story alone CANNOT be topped by what they did in live-action twice) and John Glover as the Riddler. "What is Reality?" is still my favorite Riddler episode.
saw this a few months back in the theater, this explains why the resolution was different in a few scenes since it was originally meant for direct to home video
I, too, watched this film in the theater (with my best friend and about 10 other people) and walked out of it thinking "this is the best thing ever, why don't people know about this?"
Bought it on VHS the day it came out (complete with mini-comic) and still have it, and the soundtrack (contains a nice little tune sung by Tia Carrere btw), and the '99 DVD release.
I firmly believe that, with the proper marketing, this movie could have joined Disney's Beauty and the Beast as the only animated features nominated for a Best Picture Oscar- its just that good.
Many thanks, Dan, for shedding some much-needed light on an incredibly good film.
I really loved how the old Batman the Animated series actually touched upon darker subjects and somewhat mature themes. It totally sucked me when I was younger, and the plot of Phantasm was definitely more complex than anything else I was watching in my pre-teen years.
I was 22 and "between girlfriends" when I went to see this with my ex's brother in St. Louis. I've always loved it, along with the Max Fleischer Superman cartoons. I think I'll watch Batman tonight on DC Universe! Great video, as always.
My friend walked through what had been a blizzard the night before go see this on opening day by himself. I think he was 11 at the time.
As I recall, the newspaper said it came out at or around Christmas Eve or the day of, as such we did not go see it.
After all, a week spent buying up, and a morning spent opening, putting together, playing with and cleaning up after (some time literall*) mountains of toys, we spent the rest of the day watching King of Kings BOTH VHS tapes worth. It not being Batman's Birthday, we did not go see it. I was told we'd see it on the weekend, but by then they pulled it from theathers.
*Looking at you Snake Mountain & Crystal Castle and batcaves...
Saw it in the theater 1993. I was 31. Saw it with my 2 friends. Yes, you know what that means... There was 3 people in the theater. I really enjoyed it, but I remember being caught off guard that it showed up in theaters almost unannounced.
Somehow managed to get my mom and her bf at the time to take us to the movies to see this, and I still love this movie to this day. I think the only Batman movies I would put ahead of it would be Dark Knight and Batman 89.... maybe Batman Begins.
*No mention of Tia Carrere on the soundtrack.!? She was a babe and only folks from the 80's and 90's will know of her.*
@@CreepyUncleIdjit *_"SHWING.!.!!!"_* lol
I agree, her song " I Never Even Told You" still gives me chills to this day. Defiantly another reason why I enjoy this movie so much. I really wish that the Blu Ray release had some bonus features on it. HBO aired a making of feature back in the day that features Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Dana Delaney, composer Shirley Walker, producer/ writer Bruce Timm, and Batman creator Bob Kane. This feature is begging to be seen by fans both old and new alike. Also, I really wish that the Blu Ray had an audio commentary with the director and writers.
I actually saw this several times in the theater. The big mall where I grew up just opened a new theater as part of an expansion of the mall itself. They had a soft open with all screens free for 2 weeks then after the grand opening half of the screens free for like a month. Being a fam if TAS I went and saw Mask of the Phantasm somewhere up to 10 times there as free movie. That theater ended up being a great way to have a cheap quick date with different girls I'd met without breaking my limited high school kid bank at the time as well so it was doubly useful to me. Plus the theater was the nicest in town with the best sound system which had it pretty packed almost all the time. I ended up befriending one of the cashiers so I could get free tickets almost always which was an amazing thing that impressed way too many girls back then. But as a fan I found the multiple viewings had helped me to grasp some of the craftsmanship often used in cartoons and comics in particular. I was able to unravel some of the keys of storytelling and pacing in particular but even grasped how a score can aid in the immersive experience overall. That has helped me throughout my life in figuring out how to properly tell my own stories which makes Batman: MotP a fond memory for me at least.
I worked at a comic shop when the movie came out, and one of our regulars brought in a VHS tape of the movie. It has a 1-800 number that pops up throughout the movie that encourages you to call it and report where you got the tape from. Stands out in my mind as I think this was my first time coming across something for "industry people"
I saw this in 93 or early 94 at Drive In as a double feature with Wayne's World 2 when I was 11.
I was 11 too when I saw both in theaters
8:00 min mark... I realize some of those movies (from the weekend earnings) had clearly been in theatres awhile, but hot dayumn... that was a tough freaking weekend to compete with...
I don't remember seeing it advertised at all, but I started college in the fall of 93, so I wasn't really paying attention.
Also, my college town had 8 screens total. If it wasn't a blockbuster, we'd have to wait for VHS. We didn't even have a Blockbuster! Just a Hastings and a couple of convenience stores that rented movies.
Went to go see this for Christmas in 93, it was great. Got the tape for Christmas in 94. Still have it.
I saw Mask of the Phantasm twice. Original release late '93 and the re-release a year or so ago for the 25th anniversary. This is my favorite Batman movie.
My brother and i saw it the theater after seeing some commercials for it on the old crt Telly.
but in my country - they showed it as a double feature with Grumpy Old Men.... and we had to sit thru that to watch Batman :(
I saw it on opening day. 12/25/93. Loved it. One of my top 3 Batman movies of all time
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm probably would have done way better at the box office had it not been released on Christmas Day. because most people are spending Christmas with their families not going out to see a movie.
Robomerc you mean back when that actually happened
I think you missed the part where they had like, zero marketing push for the movie.
Well, the bigger issue there is that it just wasn't a Christmas-y movie, either. Lots of families go see movies during Christmas break, but generally not ones which are so overtly dark. "Let's celebrate the happiest time of the year by watching a movie about a man being psychologically and emotionally broken until he becomes a violent loner vigilante!" said nobody.
Lots of families go to the theaters for Christmas break. Christmas films do well *because* of those willing to go at Christmas.
So I'm guessing you don't know that Christmas Day is the biggest box office day of the year?
Saw it with 3 of my friends in the theatre. I screamed out "Batman got laid!!" at one point thinking it was just only us in the theatre. Yeah, the person at the other end of the theatre that I didn't know was there, heard it too.
Best scene in the movie, and maybe one of the best scenes in the series-Bruce Wayne dons The Batman’s mask like an executioner’s hood, both a dark promise to criminals and a personal curse...
My best friend and I were the only people in the theater to see the movie on Dec 25th.Its ashame the movie was marketed do poorly.It really deserved more attention than it got and was fantastic to see on the big screen.