BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM (1993) | FIRST TIME WATCHING | MOVIE REACTION

[@johnnieangel99]

Mark Hamill did the Joker in all of these. When Kevin Conroy passed away Mark retired his joker.

[@nathancruz9172]

Without Batman, there is no punchline.

[@vodengc520]

He DID end up doing the voice of the Joker in some game called "MultiVersus", which came out like a week ago. Though, it's entirely possible he recorded those lines some time ago.

[@tbirdUCW6ReAJ]

I sadly don’t like Mark these days but he slayed as the Joker

[@TheCarterKent]

Mark Hamill came back to do more Joker "work", but he even admitted (himself) that he couldn't reach the full scale of Joker's voice like he used to (and it shows).

[@johnnieangel99]

@@TheCarterKent I wasn't aware, thank you.

[@ven_skywalker7007]

Fun fact: The lyrics that the choir is singing at the beginning was at first claimed to be Latin. It was later revealed that it was actually all the names of the entire music team read backwards, because for whatever reason Warner Brothers refused to credit them

[@mrvincentjackson]

What?! No way!

[@biguy617]

RIP Kevin Conroy Best Batman voice actor.

[@XC11301991]

The best batman

[@SushiBandit28]

the best batman*

[@dmichael1172]

Vs the best Joker

[@TheImaginator972]

The Greatest Batman, I love Kevin Conroy more than Christian Bale or Michael Keaton.

[@xerowhiz]

He was and always is THE voice of Batman.

[@wilburwhateley4626]

Siskel and Ebert reviewed this back when it was first released on VHS in 1994 and they said that they regretted writing it off as a children's cartoon and not seeing it when it was in theaters and went on to say it was better than some of the live action Batman films that had been made up to that point.

[@shainewhite2781]

RIP, Kevin Conroy, Batman RIP John P Ryan, Buzz Bronski RIP, Dick Miller, Chucky Sol RIP, Efrem Zimbalist Jr, Alfred RIP, Abe Vigoda, Salvatore Velestra RIP, Lloyd Bochner Mayor Hamilton Hill RIP, Michael Ansara, Mr Freeze RIP, Richard Moll, Two Face RIP, David Warner, Ra's Al Ghul RIP, Roddy McDowell, Mad Hatter RIP, Edward Asner, Ronald Daggett RIP, Henry Silva, Bane RIP, Arlene Sorkin, Harley Quinn RIP, Brock Peters, Lucias Fox RIP, Bob Hastings, Commisser Jim Gordon RIP, Adam West, The Gray Ghost.

[@robpettigrew3308]

Geez i didnt realise we lost so many.

[@ct6852]

Damn that's a bummer. RIP.

[@ieyke]

FML, I'd forgotten Arleen Sorkin had died too. God, that sucks.

[@moviemetalhead]

*Roland Daggett

[@ToySouljah.]

Shirley Walker who composed the music to this movie and the entire Batman the Animated Series also passed.

[@chuchulainn9275]

"Animation is not a genre. It's an artform." -Brad Bird, Director of The Incredibles

[@jp3813]

"I don't like musicals." "Really? But you love Disney Rennaissance movies like The Lion King." "Yeah, but those are animated." **facepalm**

[@grkpektis]

Even the title of this movie is genius. Batman is not the Mask, the real mask is Bruce Wayne just like the title tells you which mask Andrea is

[@jp3813]

@@grkpektis There are other similar titles such as The Mask of Zorro.

[@Manofsteel1701-f4r]

Kevin Conroy is Batman. There have been many other actors who have played the role in animation and live action but no one ever embraced it as much as he did. He knew what Batman meant to people and never was embarrassed of being associated with the role. No one could ever embody the role as well as him.

[@williamrosmer8381]

and Mark Hammill is joker. at least for the millennials

[@joshmorales770]

And younger Gen.-Xers

[@STOCKHOLM07]

I'll always be a Adam West guy but fair enough.

[@johnmcclure40]

Apparently Conroy volunteered to help out after 9-11, and when they found out who he was, most of the first responders wanted him to do Batman for them.

[@chipstercamarillo9373]

And he did the famous I am the night I am Vengeance I am Batman standing on a table. Got a round of cheers and then went back to the kitchen

[@Chamomileable]

Believe it or not, the entire Batman original animated series keeps up pretty consistently with this level of quality. It's funny, dramatic, engaging, and well-made in every respect. It's what cemented Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill as THE animated Batman and Joker.

[@Stevemcnash]

I hear Kevin Conroy's voice when I read Batman comics. Will forever be MY Batman. RIP

[@ct6852]

RIP. He really was pretty perfect.

[@nathancruz9172]

Me too

[@WolfFireheart]

Forever my Batman. And its insane, stupid even how sad I am that he is no longer with us. Never meet the guy, just really admire his work.

[@tbirdUCW6ReAJ]

I met him in Comikaze when I cosplayed as Bane. We had a nice conversation and he gave me an autograph which I have framed. He’s missed dearly

[@ct6852]

@@tbirdUCW6ReAJ Was he someone who got recognized a lot? Or people mostly just knew him for the voice?

[@christopherwall2121]

Six words that can reduce a Batman fan to a blubbering wreck: "I didn't count on being happy" I love that opening five minutes or so, because it's basically a string of "look what we can do now" without the censors of network television interfering; Batman breaks through a window, he punches a guy without any sort of flash obscuring the hit, we see realistic guns, all things that a TV cartoon airing on a network at the time couldn't show. The Animated Series, even 32 years since it first started airing, is still held up by many as THE definitive Batman, adaptation or otherwise. This movie is basically a microcosm of why that is, and I had a feeling it would get its hooks into you. Can't wait for _The Iron Giant_ P.S. I don't know if it was planned for the Joker's first appearance to come halfway through this video, but if so, that's a nice touch.

[@nightwingjosh8491]

I saw Kevin Conroy at a convention 5 years ago. He said this was his favorite line

[@WOLVERINE25TH]

This is an extension of Batman: The Animated Series. That show ELEVATED what a comic-based cartoon could do. What you saw here was just a TASTE of it. There's a reason why many regard it as one of the best comic shows--hell, even the best BATMAN show--of all time all these decades later. The storytelling, the production value, the performances--all of it came together to create something truly special.

[@shanedaley6236]

The animated shows is the perfect representation of all the heroes and villains not to be surpassed since

[@Ribby00]

Absolutely,!

[@unclejoker9975]

It was very insightful. "The brighter the picture, the darker the negative" (Batman referring to Two-face)

[@Deined]

I wouldn't call Mask of the Phantasm a spin-off, since it's still a story within the show's lore. A spin-off would be based on a different set of characters altogether.

[@dakotaturpin8816]

To this day I consider the animated series to be the best Batman media outside of the comics. Even ahead of Dark Knight, although not by much.

[@MrJohnblz]

How you relate to Batman is based on your age and who was your Batman. Your parents singing the theme song to your brother is because they grew up on the 60's show, Adam West was their Batman. For 90's babies, Kevin Conroy was our Batman. Batman the Animated Series and its animated movies weren't campy.

[@dereklopez9060]

"Without Batman, crime has no punchline." That line hits so much harder than ever. R.I.P Kevin Conroy.

[@nathancruz9172]

That’s what joker 🃏 predicted.

[@TheImaginator972]

Then Mark Hamill announced he would no longer return to voice The Joker without his Kevin Conroy.

[@DrLipkin]

@@TheImaginator972 And then MultiVersus announced he'd be voicing the Joker.

[@TheImaginator972]

@@DrLipkin Yeah, for Crisis On Infinite Earth PT III and then that would be his last time playing ad The Joker since they are going to be using some archival of Kevin Conroy's voice for Batman.

[@IDiggPattyMayonnaise]

​@@DrLipkinWell what he said was he would only play The Joker opposite Kevin's Batman, that's why he was retiring from the role. So he's still gonna play opposite Kevin technically

[@Frangucci]

Kevin Conroy as Batman and Mark Hamill as Joker are two of the greatest casting in the history of voice-over animation

[@LittleGalaxyBoy]

The voice actress for Andrea Beaumont is actress Dana Delany, who just a few years later, in 1996, would voice Lois Lane in Superman: The Animated Series. And to make things more interesting, this very same Batman visited Metropolis as Bruce Wayne in Superman: Animated Series Season 2. Episode 16, World's Finest. A three-episode story arc involving a crossover between Batman & Superman with Kevin Conroy and Dana Delany re-uniting since Mask of the Phantasm. Lois Lane and Clark Kent being two reporters who are covering Wayne's visit to Metropolis, Bruce naturally hits it off with Lois the second Bruce exists his private jet inviting Lois to dinner and everything. It was like hearing Bruce and Andrea back together once again. Both Animated Series, Batman & Superman are apart of the DC Animated Universe, interconnected universe similar to the MCU that expanded with future shows like Batman Beyond, Static Shock, New Batman Adventures, and of course Justice League to name a few. He's never mentioned in the film, but Dick Grayson, better known as Robin, The Boy Wonder is active during Phantasm, a sophomore at college, 19 to 20 years old, by the events of Phantasm and the start of the Animated Series. Episodes like Robin's Reckoning flashbacks to the origins of Robin, showcasing a younger Bruce Wayne and ten-year-old Dick Grayson, exploring how Grayson became Robin, along with exploring his common trauma with Bruce Wayne. Bruce met Grayson sometime after he became Batman, a few months to a year so around a decade before Mask of the Phantasm's present day storyline. It would've been cool to see Robin in this film solely because I would've loved to have seen your thoughts on him as a character. He's never appeared in any modern Batman film, so you've never had the chance to meet him. Nolan's Dark Knight Rises did feature an original character called John Blake, an orphan who later became the young policer officer you see throughout the film. During the final part of the film after the "Death" of Batman they revealed that John's legal name was Robin with the film ending on him discovering the Batcave hinting at John/Robin becoming the next Batman. But most fans don't count him as Robin and the whole story is VERY differant to that of the comics along with the whole Dynamic as well between Batman & Robin. It just felt like a little "Hey look we mentioned Robin" moment. One day you'll meet Robin hopefully.

[@davidcorriveau8615]

In my head whenever I see Superman or Lois in any media I am hearing Dana's Lois and just one word, 'Smallville!'. I hope PiB takes to the DCAU. I expect that ride would be fun.

[@themiddleagedgamer3503]

World's finest was far and away better than Batman v Superman

[@TheIllustriouBlueJay]

​@Kladyos which has nothing to do with DC.

[@richardadams4928]

​@@themiddleagedgamer3503I LOVE World's Finest. Batman SO out bad-asses Supes. "Besides, seems to me you've had your chance." 😲😲😲 Clark needed a fire brigade and a major hospital, 'cuz that was a SICK BURN!!!! 😂😂🤯🤯😂😂

[@Tuning3434]

@@richardadams4928 Yes, awesome episodes. Only bad thing is that it was the first time we saw the new design of Bruce and Batman, before the The New Batman Adventures. I understand why they wanted the BTAS designs to fit better in with the Superman estatic, but I really loved the rough and bulky feel the original BTAS designs had.

[@dumpstergoblin5318]

"Is that a sausage!?" One of the best Joker site gags ever.

[@ieyke]

Batman:The Animated Series is the absolute all-time peak of all things Batman. Kevin Conroy is THE Batman. Mark Hamill is THE Joker. When people read the comics, THESE are the voices basically all of us hear in our heads. This show/movie continuity essentially set the standard by which all thing Batman are judged. Mask Of The Phantasm essentially serves as the Season 1 finale for Batman TAS - best seen as taking place between episode 31 and episode 32. The entire series is great, and many episodes are absolutely phenomenal. When you get done watching Star Trek highlight episodes, I would HIGHLY recommend switching over to doing the same thing with Batman TAS. It's a treasure trove of incredible Batman material.

[@jennifervalentine8955]

Also The Animated Series introduced Harley Quinn.

[@JRSiebz]

Pretty much the entire Timmverse is great Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker is good, too. But be aware that there are 2 cuts of the film. The original is unrated, but edited for tv., the uncut ("better") version is rated PG-13 and about 3 minutes longer.

[@Flamebeard0815]

Good to know. Over here in Germany, it served as a pilot movie, IIRC.

[@keithdean9149]

Could follow it up with "Superman TAS" and "Justice League/Justice League Unlimited."

[@Nimo-the-Red]

Yes! Wholeheartedly agree that she should think about checking out the series, at least as a key epsidoe thing, but honestly the first 2 seasons are pretty much perfect every episode and would be hard to drop any of them. The Poison Ivy ones, the pilot, Heart of Ice and the one with the kids in the sewer are probably my favorites. Or the clay face ones. Or the two face ones. Etc.

[@Bananahammock681]

This is THE Batman movie above all others. Everyone else played a part, Kevin Conroy IS The Batman. The man defined him and his is who everyone else bases their job on. This, paired with it's Animated Series from the 90's is the definitive Batman Almanac. Also, something I forgot until now. This movie was so good, infamous and much respected TV film critics Siskel & Ebert apologised to their audience for not reviewing this movie sooner, because they thought it was incredible. Grown men, film snobs even, apologised and called a 'kids cartoon' great. That's how you know its a special thing.

[@LordVolkov]

RIP to Kevin Conroy, the longest running voice of Batman (from TAS to the Arkham games)

[@timmooney7528]

Kevin Conroy was good on the series Tour of Duty. When I watch it in reruns, I think of Batman when I hear his voice.

[@matthewgreganti4838]

This is why the Animated Series was so friggin' good. The creators put their heart and soul into these shows and movies. This movie lends so much more tragedy to Batman's origin. For a split second he has his hands on a wonderful life and it's all ripped away. Andrea is probably one of the best people he could ever end up with because she knows exactly what he's been through, but she took it one step further. This show had a massive impact on me as a kid and it's the reason Batman is one of my all time favorites!!

[@DavidMartin-sw3wx]

For many people Kevin Conroy is the definitive Batman. The animated series was ahead of its time for its story telling in a animated format, more themes were explored and everyone involved took it seriously hence the quality of the show and the legacy it has left behind.

[@ct6852]

I remember as a kid thinking the quality was unusually great for kids' stuff on TV. Felt like it could appeal to a lot of different ages.

[@thatperformer3879]

And to think this was followed up by Batman and Robin. 🤣

[@ct6852]

@@thatperformer3879 Batman Forever with Jim Carrey came first. Actually really enjoyed that one.

[@0lyge0]

I still remember reading the article in the paper saying the show was debuting that week. I was a huge Batman fan and had read a ton of the comics but I was really skeptical it could be what I would want a Batman show to be then I saw that Mark Hamill was on the show making my eyes light upIand knew I had to watch it but didn't want to get my expectations up. From the into alone I knew it was done by people who got Batman and cared about the character. The Bruce Timm versions of Batman have been my favorite outside he comics ever since. Kevin Conroy IS Batman

[@SupaFlyJedi]

He was the voice of the Batman I watched every weekday after school growing up, hearing anybody else voice Batman just seems weird to me.

[@rsolsjo]

"I didn't count on being happy" is such a devastating line. "I'll sacrifice a normal and happy life in the pursuit of making Gotham safer, my misery will feed my crusade."

[@wolfofthewest8019]

I'm sure a million people have already said this, but "Nuh nuh nuh na Batman!" is from the 1960s Batman TV show with Adam West. If you are going to watch all the Batman movies, Batman '66 *has* to be on that list (which is the movie of the TV show and features all the main cast, including the biggest villains). You will *love* it. It's such goofy, wholesome fun.

[@Rocket1377]

She'll have to watch the tv show specifically for that theme music. It wasn't used in the feature film.

[@ninjabearpress2574]

"Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb!" I love that movie.

Ziff! Taam! Vvvvvvak!

[@j.demarco8937]

"What's deadly & sits in a tree?" "A sparrow with machine gun!" 😮😂

[@chrisbullard5901]

Don’t forget the Bat-Shark Repellent!

[@TheCarterKent]

FUN FACT: The CHORUS that you hear, during the opening credits, are SINGING the names of the technical crew of the feature....BACKWARDS. That's right, they are singing/pronouncing the crews names backwards to the Batman Theme. It's one of the things you find on the "extras" of the original Mask of the Phantasm DVD.

[@TheJereld]

One of the best opening pieces of music ever! RIP Shirley Walker.

[@indiajohnson]

Magnificent 👌🏾

[@chet8682]

LOVED her work on Space Above and Beyond as well

[@LordNifty]

"I didn't count on being happy." One of those lines that gets to me no matter how many times I hear it, like "James... you made me happy." from Silent Hill 2. I could think of others, but I'm getting teary-eyed enough already.

[@joshuacampbell7493]

I AM VENGEANCE, I AM THE KNIGHT, I AM BATMAN 🦇🦇🦇🦇.

[@brandonangstman]

I remember going to comic con and seeing Kevin jump on the table and shout those lines, still one of the greatest moments of my life.

[@passionsquietrage]

The song you sang while talking about your brother is actually from the 1966 live action Batman tv series starring Adam West(rip). Kevin Conroy's ICONIC Batman voice can be heard in this, the equally iconic animated series this is based on, and many many other Batman animated movies and video games. RIP Kevin Conroy, you ARE the night, you ARE Batman.

[@Jeremy_theGent]

This is both my favorite Batman movie and my favorite non-Disney animated movie. The voice acting, animation and music are all top-notch.

[@Polymathically]

"Well, that was not for kids." Ohhh, you have no idea. Batman: The Animated Series is regarded as one of the best cartoons of all time, and for good reasons. I was lucky enough to watch it when it originally aired. You should consider watching it as well.

[@user-EricWatson55]

That "Na-Na-Na-Na" Batman theme is from the '60s series.

[@markcoledrumteacher]

Which you NEED to watch! At least watch the movie. It's a hoot!

[@mblackwl]

@@markcoledrumteacher Seriously, no one reacts to the Batman 66 film.

[@deadhomer8468]

Rip Adam West

[@callmejacob3234]

Underrated film. People forget that Batman wasn't always dark and gritty. He was campy for a very long time. Hell he was dancing way before Starlord.

[@Etticos.]

I was so lucky as a kid, my parents took me to see this in the movie theater on Christmas day when I was like 4 or 5 years old, and I think that is the only time I went to the theater on Christmas ever. This movie became such a huge part of my childhood and my family always quoted lines from it. Whenever I was sick and my mom would come in the room to check on me she’d say, “it’s not very healthy in here”, or whenever some one did something they thought made the look cool or impressive one of us would always say, “my….god!”. Love this movie.

[@TheImaginator972]

If there's one superhero animated film that I considered as one of the greatest it's "Batman Mask Of The Phantasm" and it's still heart broken Kevin Conroy is no longer with us as he's always my definitive Batman actor.

[@shanedaley6236]

It matches the animated show in theme perfectly as Batman did try to save many of his rogues during that it's just so good

[@TheImaginator972]

​@@shanedaley6236you got that right, how is happy that Batman show sympathy for Mr. Freeze from 'Heart Of Ice's and I was happy at the end of the movie Batman/Mr. Freeze Sub-Zero film.

[@grungehamster]

24:14 The best piece of trivia in this movie: this character on the boat who approaches Andrea? He has a name in the novelization. The name? Burton Earny (a pun on Seasame Street's Bert and Earnie.)

[@aaronkirby4632]

Most fans cconsider this movie to be the best Batman movie made so far, live action or animated. The voice actor for Batman, Kevin Conroy, died in 2022. Which really sucks because to me, he was the best Batman actor ever.

[@MarkLaren]

It says a lot that Siskel and Ebert, two very well known film critics, made the effort to review this film after missing its initial release. This is in my opinion one of the top 5 best Batman films, right up there with The Dark Knight, Batman 89 and The Batman.

[@ct6852]

Siskel and Ebert reviewed it years later? Or they were just late by a month or so?

[@MarkLaren]

@@ct6852 two years or so if i recall correctly

[@Kevin.King71]

YES! When I saw you were doing animated movies, I thought it would be great if you did Batman: Mask of the Phantasm but didn't expect you to do it. Best Batman movie of all time.

[@axelvonelern8081]

This movie is the first Batman movie I watched when I was 7 years old, I remember every scene of it. RIP Kevin Conroy, you were the Batman and always will be in our hearts.

[@jrgilby]

I loved learning that Conroy and Hammil preferred to do their voice scenes together, so they could react off each other. Typically voice actors work alone in a booth, just reading lines.

[@justhereforkicks8208]

Actually the way I understand it, the entire cast did that. I believe I saw an interview with either Bruce Timm or Paul Dini who stated they “An old timey radio show.” Where the whole cast sat or stood in a circle and recorded their lines together. I’m not sure if it’s true about this particular movie but I do know for the animated series it was.

[@saberstrike000]

@@justhereforkicks8208 It comes up a couple of times in the commentary and behind the scenes included on the DVDs (seriously, well worth it, especially for Beyond where Terry's voice actor has an encyclopedic knowledge of the series exceeding Bruce Timm's). Apparently, Hammil simply couldn't sit down to record the Joker. I think a lot of it has to do with Andrea Romano being the voice director (in addition to all the DC animated stuff, she did both Avatar series, Ben 10, Animaniacs and a ton of the Disney Afternoon shows. Basically, if you liked the voice work on a non-adult cartoon, there's a high chance she was behind it.) Mark Hammil has credited her taking a chance on him as the Joker for giving him a long and illustrious career as voice actor.

[@Terryfan]

I got to meet Kevin Conroy at Comic Con he was down to earth and appreciate his fans I got to tell him he’s my favorite Batman and he smiled and said thank you. That is a moment I will never forget.

[@BrendanPatrickGrace]

I was able to run into Mark Hamill about 10 years ago plus. In late 2013, I went with a friend to a podcast recording with the guy who did Pinky from Pinky and the Brain and so many other things and Mark Hamill. Mark talked about his Batman Animated Series work and many other things. As we get out of the Hollywood Improv to leave, I just so happened to be situated right next to the door. Someone from his camp basically says ‘mark’s not gonna shake hands or chat’ and is ushered out the door, except he shakes hands with just me which Mark initiated as he leaves and I melt. I grew up with the original Star Wars trilogy seeing the re-releases in theaters and seeing Batman the Animated Series. It is a moment I still think back on fondly to this day. The best old review of this movie is Siskel and Ebert praising it to the heavens, plus the Emmy’s the original show won. And let’s not forget the gorgeous hand-drawn 2d animation.

[@algebrapalin3128]

Joker disguising himself as a building will never not be funny🤣😆

[@Jerkwad152]

Kevin Conroy WAS Batman, and shall be forever Batman in our hearts and minds.

[@em8066]

Batman is so nostalgic for me. The first movie I ever saw on the big screen was Batman 1989, at a drive-in. I was 4, and it blew my mind. My family was super poor, so we didn't have TV. As a kid, I would squeeze through a gap in the backyard fence, climb over thorny ground and through a jagged, rusty junkyard into the mechanic shop behind our little house, then into their break room where I would beg some greasy old guy to change the channel on the black & white, static TV hanging in the corner. The mechanic's grandson and I would stand, him in overalls and me in a dirty sundress, our necks craned up to stare in awe at the latest animated Batman episode.

[@nightwingman666]

If you’re a fan of or have seen Batman the animated series this was truly the origin story. It really shows how Bruce was so ready to give up the mission to settle down with Andrea and live a happy life. Literally begging his folks for their blessing to leave it all. But due to the mob and their hitman who would later become the Joker they took that chance for him dooming Bruce to the life of Batman. It really is fitting that one brief glance between a young hopeful Bruce Wayne and Sal Valestra’s nameless goon was the first real meeting of Batman and the Joker that foreshadows all that will follow.

[@keithdean9149]

Personal favorite line from the series, in the episode "Perchance to Dream," The Mad Hatter, "I WAS WILLING TO GIVE YOU THE LIFE YOU WANT!!! JUST TO GET YOU OUT OF MINE!"

[@Clarence_Oddbody]

I always thought the chemical in her gauntlet was a phasing solution that allowed her or objects in the area of affect to pass through walls/floors/etc., which is how she was able to push the statue onto Buzz, by making it sink into the soil at the base as she pushed on the top. In the first Batcave scene he says a sample he’s analyzing is "some kind of dense, long-chain, macromolecular polymer. Adaptogenic, of course." It could be the suit he’s analyzing and that it can either phase, cloak or maybe both.

[@randallwright1973]

I saw this on Christmas Day 1993. I was the only person in the theater other than a man with his son. I loved this movie then and still love it today. If you want to ever watch the greatest animated series ever made, watch Batman: The Animated Series, the same universe as this movie.

[@ct6852]

At the time I think the box office was probably hurt by the fact that people thought of this show as something free you got on TV.

[@nightwingjosh8491]

A friend and I saw this in theaters in 2018, back when fathom events rereleased it for the 25th anniversary. We also saw it with little to no one else there

[@chriscombest]

Cassie, Batman: The Animated Series is what spawned this movie. It’s a great show and worth adding to a poll if you’re looking to see a lot more of this version. Shirley Walker, the music composer of the score is amazing. She did the Superman Animated Series too which is in the same style.

[@Bringmethehorizondude]

This is my formal request for you to start watching episodes of the animated series with the same voice cast as this film. So many great episodes that are just like this; intriguing and well made. You’ll also get a good amount of views watching some of those episodes, many people our age grew up loving them.

[@logandarklighter]

Kevin Conroy came late to the mythos of Batman. Didn't know much about him when he started, but quickly read up on him. Read a few omnibus collections. Became fascinated in his own right. Became a FAN of Batman! And when he went to conventions, he understood - as a fan would - how IMPORTANT the work he was doing was - for the FANS. I've never heard of him treating anyone poorly at any of the conventions he ever attended. He was always a gentleman in the classic sense. A Gentle Man! He LOVED the fans! And the fans loved him all the more for it! And he had a wonderful relationship with Mark Hamill. Several times over the years at conventions they'd both just cut-up on stage telling stories and make each other laugh and the audience LOVED them both for it! (And no - Mark's laugh isn't NATURALLY the Joker's laugh. In fact the Joker's voice was a slight strain on his own and over the years became more so. To the point where he would bow out of several projects or recommend other actors to do the Joker - BUT - he would always ask - "Is Kevin doing Batman? He is? Then I'm in!")

[@thedoctor4327]

LOVE THIS MOVIE! Favorite Batman actor (RIP to Kevin Conroy), one of my favorite Jokers, favorite Joker laugh (the cackle as the fair ground goes up in flames), favorite Batman theme, and has so many of my favorite Batman movie moments (ie “I Didn’t Count On Being Happy” 😭). Thank you for reacting 🙂

[@Swenglish]

The song you referenced is the theme from the 1966 comedic TV show and movie (starring Adam West & Burt Ward and produced by William Dozier), composed by Neal Hefti.

[@sandiegobrewreview]

The best joker of all time is Mark Hamill

[@geoffwilliams4478]

I've been making that argument ever since The Dark Knight (2008). Don't get me wrong. Heath Ledger was phenomenal as the Joker, but for me, he's a close second by a nose.

[@TheBraunMachine2K24]

@@geoffwilliams4478 I always had the same ranking with those two, both were excellent in their own ways. RIP Heath

[@dakotacarmel4640]

23:30 Joker stares death in the face and give out the best laugh of his entire career.

[@longboardguy]

The cartoon Batman movies and the original show from 90’s is amazing. They put a ton of time and effort into these.

[@geoffwilliams4478]

@@longboardguy agreed. I mean, they also kept you guessing what time Batman's adventures in this cartoon took place? 1950s or very early 60s?

[@TheJokerMan2]

“Is that a sausage!?” I died 😅😂😂😂

[@bbtank3000]

"Hello! Hello, Operator? I believe my party's been...DIS-CONNECTED! hahahahhahahahahahaha!"

[@robertvantine2810]

One of the few Joker lines I'm able to impersonate fairly well. That and Mark Hamill at a Con saying, "Why so serious?"

[@bbtank3000]

​@@robertvantine2810 That and "Ain't it always the way? You get in the mood, and then company shows up." Didn't understand that as a kid. 🤣

[@CapitalExpression]

I love that this movie doesn't have the first time Bruce puts on the Batman suit be this triumphant moment. Its instead treated as this very somber moment that horrifies Alfred when he sees it. Its very interesting to me that the kids Batman movie is the one that takes the darkest read on Batman's mission.

[@ianbrewster8934]

A lot of people make the argument that this is the greatest Batman movie ever made animated or live action. And it's hard to argue against that. I know some people will say The Dark Knight or even the original Michael Keaton Batman ... And that's fair but....hard to top this film.

[@jakester455]

George Clooney: Gay Batman. Michael Keaton: Pocket Batman. Val Kilmer: Forgotten Batman. Christian Bale: Batman.

[@shanedaley6236]

In this era of Batman it's pretty close with return of the joker right behind it

[@Warvvolf]

Yep. Personally, I put TDKR with Peter Weller behind Phantasm for best animated version.

[@Beardo2517]

My favorite Batman movie ever

[@moondog3056]

I've never heard anyone make this argument

[@captironsight]

Many new fans and movie fans fail to realize that his true superpower is being the "World's greatest detective."

[@raydurz]

While typically the MCU is better than the DCU, DCs animated universe is better than Marvel's, imo.

[@CrowTRobot]

Big facts. I love the DC animated World

[@dee5tank]

Hell yeah! DC Animated Universe has been solid for 3 decades now

[@yo-yosmuggler2414]

Ya man, great movies. Under the Red Hood so good

[@nathancruz9172]

@@CrowTRobotme too

[@Seven_Leaf]

@@dee5tank It was more competitive back when X-Men and Spiderman were against Batman TAS. Yeah TAS was superior, I believe it was the first animated show to win an Emmy that wasn't a comedy (Simpsons.) Still, it was competitive. Speaking of the Emmy winning episode, "Heart of Ice" is about as close to perfect as I've ever seen a 20 min story be, had Freeze's tear frozen into a snowflake as it fell at the end, it would've actually been perfect.

[@nickp2271]

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm was one of my three favorite Warner Bros. movies when I was a kid. Along with Space Jam and The Iron Giant. I even got to meet Kevin Conroy at NYCC 2017 and get an autograph. Batman will always have a special place in my heart.

[@TabathaTMartin]

This is in my opinion, the best animated Batman movie EVER MADE

[@Rocket1377]

The best Batman movie ever made.

[@TabathaTMartin]

@@Rocket1377 hell yeah

[@Zylthis]

It's not your opinion, it's a fact.

[@Deined]

Hey, Cassie! I'm one of your subscribers. _So_ glad you're covering animated films this month and that so far, you just so happen to be reacting to films I've seen, too. I'll still say that Mask of the Phantasm is the best Batman animated film I've seen so far. It's also part of Batman: the Animated Series, which is still the best depiction of Batman in my book. Fun fact: the general style of this Batman series and the films in its continuity are pretty heavily inspired by that of the 1989 Batman film. I know you didn't like the '89 film, and honestly, while I did _like_ the movie myself, I've always thought that this version of Batman had a better overall quality to it, especially in the storytelling sense.

[@lancechischilly6089]

R.I.P. Kevin Conroy. We all miss you! Thanks for the Batman memories!

[@ajeudy7763]

The whole mystery of who is "The Phantasm" was ruined right before the movie premiered in Theater's was Kenner Toys released Action Figures for the movie with an Andrea Beaumont/Phantasm toy. It's one of the rarest figures to find. Batman The Animated Series is by far my favorite story of the Batman.

[@blytheguy7510]

I predict this will be her favorite Batman film.

[@ryanheilman3807]

Not sure if anyone has mentioned it but Arthur is played by Ellis from Die Hard! Love that hospital scene. It's hard to sell "terrified but also desperately trying not to laugh" with just your voice.

[@biguy617]

One of my favorite Batman movies. Another is Batman vs Mr Freeze Subzero

[@thepaladinauthoryoutube]

A moment not only to remember Kevin Conroy the best Batman, but Shirley Walker, one of the unsung heroes of cinematic music composition and (in my opinion) the best Batman theme.

[@lordofthereels6790]

If you even like Mask of Phantasm you should DEFINITELY check out The Long Halloween. Its a VERY cinematic R rated animated Batman murder mystery that's also a crime epic with Jensen Ackles & Tad Hamilton giving great performances as Bats & Harvey Dent

[@the_corsair]

Wait. So Ackles played Batman in Long Halloween and Jason Todd in Under the Red Hood? Huh...

[@MST3KNJ]

I'm sure this has been posted 100 times already but there are few animated series worth a watch than Batman : The Animated Series. It is a testament to how masterful storytelling can be accomplished in an animated, daily format. It is up there with X-Men and Gargoyles as some of the best storytelling the 90's had to offer.

[@michaelanderson1476]

Andrea Beaumont has always been and will always be my most favourite character from the Batman cartoons 😔😢💔🥲😊❤🦇🎉

[@FrylockBardock]

Batman 89 is directly responsible for Batman the animated series (one of the most acclaimed cartoons of all time), which led to Mask of the Phantasm, which Robert Pattinson researched for his own Batman movie. Fun fact: Tim Daly (Madam Secretary's husband) originally voices Superman in this animated universe

[@igpx0]

So glad you're watching this! More people need to need to experience this greatness

[@roffstafarian]

I'll never forget watching this in theaters Christmas day as an 8 year old, this movie hits so hard! As great as all the Batman stuff is the scene where Bruce begs his parents to let him move forward with Andrea because it would give him happiness always gives me the chills. So glad you liked this one, easily one of the greatest Batman movies ever made & yeah, Mark Hamill definitely goes full beast mode in this one!

[@kurtgriffin8365]

Many great actors have played the Joker but when I hear the joker in my head, I hear Mark Hamils voice.

[@crtg4672]

This may just be nostalgia but it's crazy that the show had the quintessential voices for both Batman and Joker in it. I remember watching this when I was a kid and being kind of shocked because I think this was the first time blood was involved so seeing that made it really feel like something serious was happening.

[@austinc.2156]

RIP Kevin Conroy, the best Batman, I was lucky to meet him at a convention a few years ago and he signed my copy of this movie 🦇

[@ItsSmiles1]

Kevin Conroy as Batman and Mark Hamill as Joker *chefs kiss*. They ply their roles so well. I still remember being so shocked to see Mark Hamill as Joker.

[@bj1761]

As far as I am concerned, this is my favorite Batman film. The plot, storyline, and animation definitely separates it from a lot of other films. Just like many, I was a fan of the animated series. When I found out they were adapting this into a movie for theaters I couldn’t wait to go. Unfortunately, when I was scheduled to watch it, the movie was already out of the theaters. Many moviegoers missed out on this gem in the theaters, perhaps writing off as a kids movie. At its core it is a film for children with suggestive adult elements to it. Not to say it is ultra-violent, but rather it is a thinking person’s movie. If you ever rewatch ( which I would encourage), you’ll find many things that you missed in the first watch. The story is based of the Year Two comic in which Batman did face a character called The Reaper. In the book there was a father and daughter similar to this, but the father was the criminal in this iteration. The filmmakers drew inspiration from that story and devised a film about lost love, pain and vengeance. I am so glad you had the opportunity to watch.

[@kurtmager1626]

The impressive operatic opening at the beginning is actually the names of the animators sung, backwards.

[@nyrahl593]

Saw this in the theater! It was crazy to see a cartoon that was tailored to an audience that didn't want musicals or whatnot. The only reason my 11yr-old butt got to see it was, my Dad wanted to see it too!

[@SuperMirkova]

There’s a terrific line that Batman says in Justice League: Crisis on infinite earth. It kind of captures the difference between Andrea and Bruce. “We both stared into the abyss, but when it looked back at us… you blinked.”

[@existenceisrelative]

It's kinda hitting me all over again that my batman, who's been my batman since i was little; he's gone now. But to answer your question: it's super simple to disappear. All you have to do is go where people aren't looking.

[@sporadicamnesic]

One thing I love about Kevin Conroy;s voice performance of Bruce Wayne/Batman in both the animated series and the Arkham video games is how as Bruce he's jovial, almost carefree, yet as Batman he used his more natural, deeper baritone level voice and is more, as Conroy said himself when talk about the arkham games, more intimate in a way. He doesn;t always speak loud and brash. It's the quiet, subtle but strong voice. He saw Bruce Wayne as the mask abd Batman as the character's true identity I also love the 1920s art deco style of the animated series too

[@thatperformer3879]

I hope you get into Batman: The Animated Series and the original Justice League series in your own time.

[@Eidlones]

She won't

[@BiggestDawgEver]

Hey Cassie, you are correct, this movie is very close in tone to the Batman comics of 70s and 80s. Mask of the Phantasm was actually an extension of the wildly popular and groundbreaking "Batman the animated series" that aired on Fox Kids during the mid 90s. The show was famous for not only adapting some of the greatest Batman comic stories but eventually it began to influence the comics themsleves with newly redefined versions of classic villains and supporting cast. It even introduced things that would become permanent fixtures of Batman lore like the character of Harley Quinn. The series and it's animation style would run for 4 years, launch a companion Superman series, and several feature length movies before spinning off into a Justice League series and a sequel series featuring a new caped crusader in the near future called Batman Beyond. I recommend the follow up to Mask of the Phantasm; Batman : Sub Zero as a future June Toon offering. Also, the Batman song you keep humming is from the 1960s live action series and film starring Adam West. Super campy, but fun.

[@skylermaves7272]

The best batman movie ever made. Kevin Conroy was and always will be the best batman. Change my mind

[@josephhein9497]

Yep. I consider this the best Batman film, also. I'd even go as far to say it's probably my favorite superhero film. If anyone ever asked me where to start with Batman movies, I'd suggest this one first.

[@geoffwilliams4478]

Nope. I can't change your mind because to say otherwise would be saying a lie.

[@byronlee8745]

The song at the end credits of this movie “I Never Even Told You”, is a really beautiful song! Very relaxing!

[@emilsitka9537]

Batman the Animated Series was something I could watch with my daughter and we both would enjoy it.

[@rbachhuber]

Same here. We watched every episode together and she's been a Batman fan ever since, even into her thrties now.

[@TombstoneDjango]

One of the things that really made Batman as an animated series unique was the actual animation process. Typically it’s done with cels and painting on white paper, but to really encapsulate the feeling of darkness, it was always done on black paper.

[@MrET-kr9zj]

Some people hear Batman and think of Christian Bale or Keaton when I hear someone say Batman the first image in my head is the animated Batman voiced by the great Kevin Conroy

[@joshhansen2643]

I’m so excited you’re watching this. This and its cartoon show was literally my favorite show growing up. Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill are my Batman and joker forever

[@bizznackywhirle5437]

Yes, this is THE perfect Batman movie for Cassie. 😃

[@SijoArtLapham6381]

Song you were humming (n na na na na na na Batman) is from the 1966 TV show starring Adam West. Before that, Adam was in the first movie version in 'Batman', and before that, there were two chapter serials.

[@Rocket1377]

I still can't believe she didn't like Batman '89.

[@ChosenOne1991]

I would never take her opinion or critique seriously. Especially when she called Alfred. Wilfred!

[@HiddenWindshield]

2:24 The theme song you were singing is, in fact, from the 1960's live-action Batman TV series.

[@RyanBone-bj4xl]

Mark hamil from star wars was the voice of joker in this series

[@matthewgibson27]

Batman: The Animated Series aired on Fox Kids starting in 1992. It was easily one of my favorite shows and still is. I used to have ALL (or most) of the toys from that show. I'd definitely recommend the series. It was created in the wake of the TIm Burton Batman movies and shares the same Danny Elfman Theme even though Shirley Walker expanded and made it her own over the course of the series. This movie was initially meant to be a Two Part episode of the series but the show was so popular they opted for a theatrical release. I used to watch this on an old TV in my room after school. Then at night I'd watch re-runs of Star Trek: The Next Generation. It's like watching you re-live part of my childhood and I appreciate that. Love the channel!

[@JedHead77]

My favorite Batman origin story! R.I.P. *Kevin Conroy* 🥀😔🦇

[@KlassicKolt5612]

I used to watch this movie with my brother all the time when we were kids! We were so obsessed with it. This was my very first Batman movie, and it's still one of the greatest ever made.