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Released in theaters over 20 old age ago , Batman : Mask of the Phantasmremains the aureate monetary standard for adapting the Caped Crusader ’s rootage account . Written as a cinematicsequel to the critically - herald idiot box showBatman : The Animated Series , the film hold back most of the voice rove from the serial as well , including Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill lending their iconic voices to both Batman and The Joker respectively . The first revivify Batman film to receive a wide - release in theaters , Mask of the Phantasmwas unfortunately a box office failure due to it ’s theatrical release being plan so late ; thankfully , the movie has reached cultus status in later years due to its virtuously complex fictitious character , rich animation , and emblematic approach to the titular bomber .
claim place ten eld into the life history of the Dark Knight , Mask of the Phantasmfeatures a Bruce Wayne who is reconsider his inscription to his war on crime , standardised to the dilemma that Christian Bale ’s Batman finds himself in inThe Dark Knight . This is spurred on by the unexpected arrival of Andrea Beaumont , an old flaming and ex - groom-to-be of Bruce Wayne before he became Batman . Amidst the emotional turmoil fetch about by her coming back , Batman must also contend with a unrelenting new vigilance man carving a bally course through Gotham ’s criminal underworld : The Phantasm .
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While the game of the movie itself is exceptional , filled with twist and turns that rival even modern solar day closed book - thrillers , Mask of the Phantasmparticularly shines in its attempt to re - contextualize the origins of the Batman . It does this by sputter new light on the events that lead to his determination to become theDark Knight , while also providing a drear mirror to Bruce Wayne and the alter - ego he created , which was expect of vengeance .
Everyone with even a passing knowledge of the Batman role interpret thatthe murder of Wayne ’s parentsdrove him to become a vigilante , with the destination of driving offense and corruption out of Gotham City . Mask of the Phantasm , however , takes the story a pace further than most other Batman media does and shows the event that led up to his decisiveness to become whatBatmantruly is : an instrument of care and not just a crime - fighter . The celluloid divulge that , after his first night of fighting crime , Bruce initially decided against becoming a vigilance man . Wanting to respect the memory of his deceased parent , he proposed to Andrea Beaumont or else , choosing to last a life with her . These plan were of path cut inadequate , with Andrea and her father bequeath Gotham under orphic circumstances . Andrea ’s sudden departure leaves Bruce with no avenue for a normal life , and in his despair he decide to become Batman .
The cellular inclusion of this extra context allowsMask of the Phantasmtoretell Batman ’s originsin a way that feels fresh and relevant to a compositor’s case that he ’s currently deal with years subsequently . recognize that Bruce became the Dark Knight because he ’d eat all his other pick gives his story an even more tragical feel ; not only was he denied fellowship as a child , but he was deny the possibleness of starting his own due to deplorable activity a second metre .
Mask of the Phantasmalso contrive a direct line of latitude on Bruce ’s decision to become Batman through the character of Andrea Beaumont . The shocking wrench reveal of the movie is thatAndrea is in reality The Phantasm , slay the mobster creditworthy for the death of her gang - regard male parent . Andrea turned her heartbreak into a crusade as well — except unlike Bruce , hers was one of revenge and slaying . By tying their family relationship straight off into their respective decisions to wage war against criminal , Batman : Mask of the Phantasmre - contextualizes the origins of the Batman in a bold way of life — and break just how niggling come apart Bruce Wayne from someone like The Phantasm in the appendage .
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