Batman: Mask of the Phantasm - MOVIE REACTION!!

[@BlindWave]

GO BEYOND at blindwave.com to get access to 4 WEEKS Early Access and Full Length content!! BEYOND members and Raw Rider Patrons can watch the Full Length Reaction HERE: blindwave.com/video/batman-mask-of-the-phantasm-movie-full/

[@SellavinAtoms]

A lot of people love this story, it didn't get a lot of respect back when the first came out, But now it's considered a Classic cause of the story I just wish I got more respect what it did when they first came out.

[@johnnysparkle]

The fate of the Joker is left unrevealed in the movie, but The Batman & Robin Adventures Annual expanding on the movie's events provides an explanation: Andrea drags him into the sewer below and they fight for a while until she decides not to kill him, seeing that he is no longer her father's killer but rather a raging lunatic with no sense of right or wrong following which an explosion from above separates them and knocks Joker into the water, where he is carried away by the current.

[@milesbradshaw6643]

I always wondered how the Joker got out of that, Andrea had him in his clutches. Thank you for the explanation.

[@GambitFinale__]

That’s cool

[@silentassason]

Then return of the Joker happens

[@SamuelPulkkinen-jp8ev]

Literally no reason not to kill him, it's not like Andrea has an iron rule like Batman.

[@kayokango]

Not gonna lie, that's pretty damn lame and stupid. I always assumed she "killed" him off screen and left his body there at the fairgrounds, only for Joker to just barely survive the encounter.(possibly unconscious) "you're no longer my father's killer" doesn't make a lick of sense.

[@seanpatrickcain2]

"Can't be too careful with all those weirdos around." - Joker, 1993

[@Mrloophole]

Ironic

[@Osvetnik1138]

"My god!" gives me chills every time. The man that raised Bruce is even scared of the Bat at first.

[@faresabdelraouf959]

me too, every time

[@melmacianmage]

There's so much symbolism in this movie, and its one of the strongest Batman films thematically. Andrea is a ghost (phantasm) of Bruce's past, and while they are young and in love, the World of Tomorrow is bright and happy, but later reveals itself to be abandoned and taken over by madness (the Joker). In the end, there is no tomorrows for Bruce and Andrea as the world goes up in flames. Both Bruce and Andrea are beheld to their pasts, unable to let go of their past trauma to settle and find happiness with each other. It's a doomed, tragic love story with gothic themes. I wish other Batman media explored Bruce's character in this level of depth.

[@leovk5779]

You're right, this movie goes deep and hits hard.

[@Wolf6119]

The late Shirley Walker's theme for this movie (and her other DCAU work in general) is just SO fucking good. She deserves to have her name mentioned and praised right alongside Zimmer and Elfman, in my opinion.

[@StevenJShow]

Honestly I don't think it was ever done better in terms of The Batman theme than here. When he decides to be Batman and that cue swells with the choir. It's so sorrowful and triumphant at the same time. This sense of dedication to a belief, but also the melancholy of, essentially Bruce Wayne as a person being dead.

[@knoober3756]

I don’t think a Batman film has ever broken down Batman deeper than this one here. It’s Batman at his most vulnerable and I love it!! So many good scenes!! The scene at the grave, every scene Joker’s in, all of the flashbacks etc. Just a fantastic Batman film all around and imo THE definitive Batman film. Kevin Conroy will forever be my Batman RIP.

[@geordiemc4571]

The Batman 2022 is definitely a contender

[@jaylenjayden9305]

This and the Batman are the best Batman movies

[@chainsawboy2388]

@@jaylenjayden9305and Lego Batman

[@thedarkknight2221]

This film is what convinced me that Kevin Conroy (May He Rest In Peace😢) is the best actor to ever play The Dark Knight. To this day the opening theme composed by the late great Shirley Walker chills me to the core. It is truly the music that embodies Batman for me, haunting, intimidating, powerful, and especially hopeful. The 2 best scenes in the movie are when Bruce goes to his parents grave and apologizes for possibly giving up his crusade of fighting crime to have a normal life with Andrea, that scene was so powerful that the director actually went into the recording booth to see if Kevin was okay because it took a lot out of him. And the other is when Andrea leaves him and decides to become Batman. When he puts on the mask and turns around Alfred is horrified, not just because of how intimidating he looks but because he is seeing the boy he helped raise become a monster, a monster for good but still a monster in his eyes.

[@michaelglover5474]

This is hands down THE BEST batman movie. I dont care who says otherwise. Even compared to the live action its the best. It understands stands and executes the character PERFECTLY. And this joker is such a brilliant mix of wacky clown and terrifying maniac. And arguably the best among SO MANY terrific performances from kevin conroy

[@CloneMalone]

Hans Zimmer didn't work on this one (only the Nolan trilogy, MoS, and BvS to my knowledge) but I would like to highlight the composers who did. People typically associate Danny Elfman with this show because yes he wrote the theme, but a huge majority of the show's and nearly this entire film's score was written by Shirley Walker. Even some of the iconic variations of Elfman's themes TAS has were arranged by her. I don't know much about her outside Batman, but TAS and this film definitely solidifed her as a legend in my book.

[@Osvetnik1138]

I came here to say the same thing. Shirley is a legend. My favorite Batman theme is hers.

[@ricardowinter8562]

Hans Zimmer did work on this one! In the credits you can see his name.

[@williamsundesten4327]

No to mention her Superman theme from the animated series that in my opinion easily rivals John Williams

[@CloneMalone]

@@ricardowinter8562 Woah I didn't know he was in the credits. He is just a synthesist (meaning as you might guess, he worked with synthesizers) and not one of the composers, but that's still pretty cool.

[@ricardowinter8562]

@@CloneMalone yeah, it was not a composition work and all that, but he's credited there haha

[@johnnysparkle]

The plot was mostly taken from two unproduced episodes of the animated series; a two-parter called "Masks" featuring Batman Year Two's villain Reaper, and a standalone, "Vigil", which detailed Batman's origin from Alfred's perspective.

[@devanshupandey3958]

Such a good Batman/Bruce story. I feel like the police chase in Batman Begins harkens back to the chase here a bit. Also, Aaron laughing at his own joke there was so good 😂

[@hoya1178]

I feel like the police chase in Batman Begins is more influenced by the Year One comic, since both Batmans use a sonar device to attract bats as a destraction for the cops

[@Alguear]

The music was made by Shirley Walker, an artist who doesn't get enough credit for creating Batman's most iconic tune.

[@shainewhite2781]

RIP, Kevin Conroy, Batman. RIP, Bob Hastings, Commissioner Gordon. RIP, Abe Vigoda, Sal Velestra. RIP, John P. Ryan, Buzz Bronski. RIP, Dick Miller, Chuck Sol. RIP, Efram Zimbalist Jr, Alfred. Gone but not forgotten.

[@barbaros99]

12:34 - "You don't go to your tombstone of your parents when your dressed like a person you're not supposed to be!" Aaron with the real life advice.

[@mattdoesntknowwhattodowith5760]

This is definitely one of the best Batman stories. Just that scene where he’s begging his parents to forgive him for being happy, just breaks the heart

[@kenjutsukata1o1]

Yup. One of the best part of Batman for me is that Bruce is just as mentally screwed up as most of his enemies, he just ended up channeling his trauma/mental troubles into fighting crime. He doesn't just have a vow not to kill out of a sense of honor, the man legit can't bring himself to do it. The android that was a copy of Batman's mind self-destructing when it thought it killed Batman is plenty of evidence to that end. Yet so many Batman stories overlook (or straight up don't understand) that aspect of the character.

[@Davidscomix]

@@kenjutsukata1o1and that’s one of the reasons why he looks to give his enemies seconds chances to change

[@thedoctor4327]

One of my favorite superhero movies and honestly my favorite Batman movie (Dark Knight being my favorite live action Batman film). Favorite Batman actor (RIP), one of the best Jokers, best theme, and I think the ending really nails one of the most tragic elements of Batman in that his crusade will never end despite the heartbreaks he endures

[@chaost4544]

This film brings back a lot of great memories from childhood.

[@jimmyrocha8417]

“I should be in the streets beating people up. What’s wrong with me?!” Aaron got me good with that one lmao

[@mariebourgot4949]

Same, plus him laughing at his own jokes. ^^

[@TheeKorovaMilkBar]

19:22 "You are as precious to me as you were to your own mother and father. I swore to them that I would protect you, and I haven't."

[@phousefilms]

I always hated that that amazing trailer line was removed.

[@BatmanFan76]

This is definitely the best animated Batman movie ever. It has such a great mystery, and an interesting story to go along with it.

[@lordofinnistrad8757]

I would argue it’s in the conversation for best Batman movie ever *period*.

[@BatmanFan76]

@@lordofinnistrad8757 Well, I wouldn’t go that far. Batman (1989) and The Dark Knight still stand as #1.

[@Hunterfalke]

Personally, i put Under The Red Hood up there, but MotP is definitely a strong second place.

[@SpiritxEnigma]

Mask of the Phantasm is honestly one of the best Batman films in general, even tho I still love the Keaton movies, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, & The Batman. Under the Red Hood is my #1 & The Dark Knight Returns is also top-tier. I also enjoy Batman vs. TMNT, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, & The Long Halloween.

[@DLites151]

The Batman is overlong with too many plots and the Riddler is try-hard, singing like the fake ice truck killer in season 1 of Dexter. @@PAYTONMCKENZIE-zo5iy

[@jakegittes1864]

I love seeing Eric tear up at the grave scene. It’s so powerful! Great reaction, guys!

[@Hession0Drasha]

I love how heavy this movie makes the mantle of the bat. It has such dignity. hard to explain.

[@dreamspan99]

Eric is a man of fine taste, this is absolutely my favourite Batman flick

[@animegamelover6368]

This film is legendary!! One of the greatest Batman animated movies ever!!!

[@charleslee8313]

32:59 -- the BEST Joker laugh, in the entire DC Animated Universe.

[@TheDc007fan]

His laugh in injustice for all from JL season 1 rivals it imo.

[@charleslee8313]

@@TheDc007fan that slow crescendo laugh WAS pretty good, but the one in Phantasm was slightly better. Just my opinion.

[@TheDc007fan]

@@charleslee8313 I like how smug it was. He's finally thinking he has gotten one up on ol batsy. 🤣 Either way, no one beats Hamil's joker laugh.

[@thewerewolff7248]

one of my favourite batman movies. Really sad heart breaking stuff. Also O'niel funding and Adam Tools are references to Dennis O'niel and Neal Adams who did the writing and artwork for batman in the 70s and are largely responsible for him returning to more serious stories after all the camp in the silver age. Likewise their run on Green Arrow/ Green Lantern is generally credited as the beginning of the Bronze Age of comics. Edit: In addition to the themes of vengeance the movie is also largely about destiny, and being unable to escape it.

[@wbbrighamvideography]

Mask of the Phantasm is one of the best Batman movies. It was great seeing a movie where Batman is tortured by happiness and possibly not becoming the Bat. Just a great story. Also, the birt of the suit was amazing.

[@donstewart2145]

Dana Delaney did the voice of Andrea Beaumont and was the voice of Lois in Superman the animated series

[@alucard624]

Quite a few elements of this film are based on the comic series Batman Year Two which has Batman fighting The Reaper and even using the gun that Joe Chill used to kill his parents with.

[@SpiritxEnigma]

Holy hell! YES! I’m glad you guys actually reacted to this classic. If you don’t continue the rest of the DCAU after Batman: The Animated Series, you should at least watch Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker. It’s one of the best DC animated films, same with The Dark Knight Returns. The Batman/Superman crossover in Superman: TAS is really good too. I also recommend Puss in Boots: The Last Wish & TMNT: Mutant Mayhem to see how far animation has come since Spider-Verse. There’s a lot of heart in the storytelling & gorgeous art styles! 🔥

[@monsterking1973]

One of the most amazing Batman movie and great performances from the late great Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill as the joker

[@KMM-kx2yn]

Shirley Walker the goat did the animated series and phantasm. Elfman theme is in the opening and Shirley used that as a key to create the audio world of gotham

[@k.delpino1124]

Truly history in the making. The first-ever animated movie/ theatrical release based on DC Comics. Great storytelling to continue within the universe and hold nothing back (romance, violence, death). Also seeing more of Gotham in the past with the characters we know. Mark Hamill is delightful as always as Joker and seeing him as Jack Napier (subplot wise) was cool. Dana Delany was the voice of Andrea Beaumont long before she was Lois Lane in the Superman animated series. As Christmas Day of 1993 was the opening day, Mask of The Phantasm & Tombstone (both with Dana Delany) were released the same day. It suffered at the box office because of not enough promotion. WB just expected this big instant turnout and all because it was a Batman film. On video cassette, it did rank in the dough and fandom. Tia Carrera (Wayne's World, True Lies) performed the song, "I Never Even Told You" which is an underrated movie song. Without a doubt, definitely setting the bar for future DC animated movies and the ones with Batman. Btw, Andrea Beaumont aka The Phantasm character was reconned into the Batman/Catwoman miniseries (2020-present).

[@dupersuper1938]

Dana Delany is indeed in Tombstone. More germain to these reactions, though, she voices Lois Lane in the Superman animated series.

[@Narutoanime16g]

Ugh this movies so good the music and I love the ending score, they really had me guessing who the Phantasm was lol and there are comics based in this animated series that explain the Andrea smoke thing and other ones too

[@milesbradshaw6643]

I remember first watching this film on Haloween via my computer, as part of a watchthrough where I watched the other four DCAU films (Subzero, Mystery of the Batwoman, and Return of the Joker). I'm proud to say, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is still one of the greatest DC films.

[@LieutenantDan2]

Never before have I had more hope for and been more excited for a movie reaction. Thank you fellas for finally doing this!

[@LightShadowOnyx]

this movie is still so good instead of being a superhero movie it is more a mystery movie where it is up to batman to find out who is this killer(phantasm) is while being frame. Meanwhile the flash backs really giving us the clues to who the phantasm is plus we get to see how bruce became batman. The music is done by shirley walker which she does a phenomenal job it does take inspiration from danny elfman

[@gabrielcarrasco9078]

It's great. A similar story is Long Halloween in terms of detective work. Too bad the two movies didn't do the best job adapting it.

[@dragoninthewest1]

2:54 no, this was Shirley Walker, who composed the score for the Batman animated series. Show some respect, RIP Shirley Walker.

[@frnknstndrgqn]

my favorite batman movie with my favorite batman. RIP kevin conroy, still hurts that he's gone :(

[@WhiteFangofWar]

Legendary film, by far the best of the Bat animated films. Hard to believe it did poorly in theatres. Still remember the trailers trying to portray the Phantasm as this new villain who is supposed to be more dangerous than any before. Based off the Reaper from the Year Two graphic novel, but with a lot of changes made.

[@JessAnderson1988]

The poor theater run is due to a combination of the poor marketing campaign and the commonly held delusion that animation should be kid-friendly.

[@88gschannel39]

It hits differently too when it's highlighted in Batman beyond when he looks through his love interests and you see: Selina, Talia, Lois, and Andrea. Poor bastard, but hey, Terry carries his legacy of The Animated universe.

[@Flitterquest]

Woah woah, scuse you it wasn't Hans Zimmer or Danny Elfman, it was Shirley Walker who did the score for Phantasm and The Animated Series.

[@Tashwampa]

I was so happy to see this reaction. I've wanted your reaction to this since you started BTAS. One of my favorite Batman stories ever is told here. Its perfect for me and your reactions and discussion are wieth its weight in gold.

[@joejrjohnston1001]

Fun Fact: The line the Phantasm says, "You're Angel of Death Awaits," is said to Joker from Spawn in Mortal Kombat 11.

[@joshwoznicki2844]

I personally feel like this is one of the most underrated Batman movies out there. Great story, great cast, just overall a fantastic movie with the Dark Knight.

[@geordiemc4571]

the batman 2022 and mask of the phantasm are more alike and fall under the same category, don't get me wrong the dark knight is a classic, but harvey dent is the protagonist of that film and bales batman is sidelined 24/7 and has like 35 mins of screen time (most of that being Bruce not batman) Pattinson on the other hand has 130 mins of screen time and is the actual main focus like Conroys batman

[@John_Raiyder]

8:34 well played Calvin… Well played

[@StopReadingMyNameOrElse]

I feel like every Batman fan needs to watch this movie at least once.

[@RandyReviews1990]

iam a huge batman fan and have only seen this once!

[@FiggityJones]

Ever since I learned Andrea was also the voice of Lois Lane in the Superman Animated Series I can’t unhear it.

[@MercenaryX84]

My favorite Batman of all time. Also, one of my favorite Batman/Joker fights in the Batman-Verse

[@pauld6967]

Aaron asks "what is he holding?" in reference to the thig that wasn't on the motorcycle. That was a blackjack, also known as a sap or a cosh.

[@muhammadhabibieamiro3639]

This movie probably have the best joker laugh ever

[@jamesmoyner7499]

The ABSOLUTE GREATEST HANDS DOWN NO COMPARISON BEST BATMAN FILM! This has Batman doing what he should be- solving a mystery. He is supposed to be the World's Greatest Detective and yet most material doesn't havec him doing that. Plus when I think best Batman and Joker it's going to be Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill!!!

[@jacobramos3473]

If im not mistaken i think people took Joker laughing at the end realizing what Andrea meant by "my love" and that in that moment he knew who Batman is. Thats just peoples headcanon tho

[@ChamarM]

Fun fact the VA who plays Andrea also plays Lois Lane in the Superman Animated Series that take place in the same universe as BTAS

[@Andros1921]

Dana Delany also that universe's Lois Lane.

[@RSRye]

Finally!!!! We see the crew react to one of, if not, thee best Batman movie!

[@Jjop017]

Great reaction. I was waiting for you guys to get to this movie and you didn't disappoint. Andrea is a great character and foil for Bruce. Fun fact her voice actress also voiced Lois Lane in Superman Animated Series/DC Animated Universe. I hope you guys decide to react to Superman Animated Series after this. I think you would enjoy it and it does a great job in introducing Superman lore and New Gods.

[@shad2690]

I believe at the beginning Eric said they would be going through the entire DCAU, starting from Batman and going all the way to Justice League Unlimited.

[@animegamelover6368]

Another interesting fact is that Andrea's named after the legendary Andrea Romano, according to Kevin himself.

[@MrChava54]

Bruce literally asks his parents for forgiveness for being HAPPY. Jesus, man......

[@JL-zw3tj]

It's really a shame when toy releases can't coordinate dates right and end up spoiling things. And then there is the rare exception like Disney not having any "baby Yoda" merchandise ready at all. How long did it take until The Child toys was on the shelf?

[@ThunderLizardsRule]

6:50 The redhead was Bruce's date in "Joker's Wild". 15:59 If you look carefully, you can see a bat flying outside the window briefly. 28:45 She secretly first came back to Gotham just to get Chuckie Sol, but we don't know if she traveled by plane. But when we first saw her, she treated her flight to Gotham as if it's her first time back home so no one would be suspicious that this new vigilante showed up at the same time as her. 39:10 That's a shame. And interesting, the commercial for the toys briefly showed the Phantasm figure maskless and obscured, so I didn't see what the person looked like. I first saw the commercial before I saw the movie, so I didn't get spoiled. I also didn't get the Vader reveal either, I got spoiled when I first saw "Return of the Jedi", which was the first Star Wars movie I saw. And before that, I saw a lot of Star Wars references on TV.

[@edlb10]

41:20 its revealed in a justice league unlimited episode that the phantasm still alive

[@sivanlevi3867]

I recommend Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman for you!

[@arashimiyazawa8165]

15:03 It's called a blackjack or a sap. Basically a lead weight in a leather case that you use as a club. They can either be rigid like a club, or flexible like a flail. They're a stereotypical criminal weapon because they're easy to make and conceal.

[@TheGundamsword]

Easily the best Batman movie ever made. Blows every live action out of the water.

[@LeonardWashington1989]

The Moment batman put his mask on for the 1st time in the cave you see alfreds reaction gave me chills.

[@chroniccosmonaut5599]

This and the return of the joker Batman beyond are definitely top 2 of my childhood.

[@N00bkillr693]

Easily my favorite Batman animated movie and top 3 of my favorite animated movies of all time

[@ficialintelligence1869]

Oh, we see the Phantasm one more time. Not gonna tell you where, as I'm waiting for your reactions.

[@MFSeaMen]

I ordered the 4K of this, this morning! Arguably the best Batman movie.

[@dakotacarmel4640]

33:00 best Joker laugh ever. Even in the face of death.

[@yotuel9064]

I wonder where is that police squad when the Joker, Two Face or any other of the villains is going on a rampage.

[@williamsundesten4327]

Shirley Walker’s music for this film and batman the animated series is incredible, not to mention her Superman theme for the animated series that in my humble opinion rivals John Williams

[@ficialintelligence1869]

Did any of you notice that Miss "Ingagement" was Arleen Sorkin (Harley)?

[@irvinezekiel]

To make it widescreen they just cropped it actually. I prefer the 1.33:1 framing because there is actually more picture information.

[@darthdathomir]

always loved this film!

[@makienxhemmiktar]

Amazing Batman movie. The music is exceptional.

[@jasonl8681]

the uncomfortable close-ups of Joker laughing scared the hell out of me as a kid. But gods what a phantas-tic movie.

[@mr.nobody7421]

This movie's story goes full circle in the final season of Justice League Unlimited, and Andrea has a hand in the origins of Batman Beyond.

[@inkpenavengerYT]

The music in thus movie was done by Shirley Walker and Tia Carrere. Zimmer wasn't involved. Give credit to the women who wrote the most iconic Batman music.

[@MarkGuerrero-cz9bh]

This was written to be a finale to the series, cause yeah 65 episodes and a movie were the original order when the show got the greenlight. Luckily they got another 20 episodes and another movie

[@anthonyderleth1193]

The cops turning on him and gunning him down reminds me the same situation in robocop being gunned down

[@MrDarkness4]

This right here this is my all time favorite Batman movie i love it with all of my heart i grew up on this amazing reaction fellas seriously it means a lot that you reacted to this

[@yukiminsan]

it's wild seeing the difference between early DCAU goofy Joker and what he eventually becomes in Return of the Joker

[@mariebourgot4949]

I don't see any difference outside of this movie. He was always sadistic and evil from the start as a gangster and became goofier as the joker and then that's it, I don't see any other transformation.

[@Yezhanium]

Guys, you just HAVE TO do the TImmverse stuff all the way (that is - DCAU). Batman Beyond is a must.

[@anthonyramos9232]

The most epic Joker laugh of all time. I've been rewatching the series & all the DCAU i'm glad i've been rewatching it in a similar order to BW

[@alex.9398]

I absolutely love this movie but the one bit that takes me out is always Alfred's talk at the end. "Hey Bruce I've worried for years that you might just snap and kill a bunch of people but you haven't yet so you probably never will". It's just not that great a thing to say when you think about it.

[@mariebourgot4949]

Good point.

[@alex.9398]

Thanks. @@mariebourgot4949

[@sombrashadow0013]

So unfortunately for me, I was not born when this movie came out so I could not enjoy it fresh like a lot of people did. But I was lucky enough to get my own version in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker. These two, to this day, are the best Batman films in my opinion

[@philrm99]

Yep, a definite classic Batman movie.

[@echelonangel15]

How awesome, getting to see you react to my favorite Batman movie on my Birthday 😊

[@leovk5779]

13:16 "nazis C3POs!" really got me by surprise, such a good joke! XD

[@austincaldwell4258]

This movie is without a doubt the best Batman movie and the best superhero movie ever made, and I will take that to my grave

[@j.prt.979]

Joker is incredibly menacing in this movie

[@Jaketherobonrd]

It’s so good this movie, i just recently rewatched the movie. This and another batman movie from the animated continuity are my favourites

[@TheEpicWolf64]

Bruce In the end is always the god damn Batman!

[@Gyasipk]

The best Batman movie with the best Batman actor (Kevin Conroy) R.I.P. Kevin and the best Joker actor (Mark Hamill).

[@noiisserpmii]

Top 3 Batman FILM. Right there with TDK & The Batman

[@lchigoKurosaki]

Eric I believe is confused..there are still plenty of episodes in the current art style ..unless HBO max skips everything..

[@SomeGuys31415]

20 more. Second season uses the same style. In season 3 the style changes.

[@HobGungan]

I still go by production/DVD order where there are three medium-sized seasons with this style, and then I count The New Batman Adventures (Style Change + Time Skip) as a completely different show altogether. The 65 episodes they've already watched are bits and pieces of all 3 seasons.

[@afictionate]

I gotta watch the full reaction along with my VHS!