 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
- Review Date: August 27, 2008
- PG
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Tamer than live-action, but still moody, violent.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is a more mature Batman cartoon than the ones they might remember from their Saturday morning-TV childhoods. There is real death (including a parent), much violence -- even if it's animated -- involving explosions, guns, knives, etc. There's even some unsettling imagery involving corpses and the Joker that may upset the youngest kids. Anyone unfamiliar with the Batman saga might have some trouble following the story.
What's the story?
Though released to theaters, BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM was produced as a feature-length pilot to Batman: The Animated Series on TV. It fills out some Bat-lore about the character's early career. As college-age orphan millionaire Bruce Wayne starts out uncertainly in his personal crime-fighting crusade, initially dressed in sort of a ninja suit. When he falls in love with a smart co-ed named Andrea (who can do martial arts just as well as he), Bruce considers giving up the superhero thing altogether for marriage and a normal life. We see this in flashback; in the present, Bruce has become the legendary Batman, and he learns the long-lost Andrea is revisiting Gotham City. At the same time, another black-caped, costumed avenger is killing local mobsters, and Batman is getting unfairly blamed by both police and the homicidal Joker.
Is it any good?
It's easy to deduce the identity of the mysterious "Phantasm"; Batman doesn't earn points here as the world's greatest detective. Real surprise is how the characters draw you into this so-so storyline. Watching Bruce Wayne brooding over thwarted romance and the choices he made is genuinely moving. This is definitely economy-style animation, but it's rendered with a nicely nostalgic Art Deco look. It works well in the exciting showdown in the Joker's lair at the dystopian ruins of the Gotham City World's Fair. And, while overshadowed by a flock of spectacular, live-action Batman movies, Mask of the Phantasm possesses an emotional nuance missing from the megabudget Bat-epics. Yes, that's Lucasfilm hero Mark Hamill, reportedly an actor who takes comics with great seriousness, relishing his unrecognizable voiceover as the Joker.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the style and storyline. Is an animated Batman more effective than an actor in a live-action epic? Do you like a Batman with personal problems or a basic high-tech crimebuster? You can also discuss Bruce Wayne's single-minded devotion to his mission. Is he doing the right thing? Is Batman a vigilante? How did kids like Mark Hamill's Joker, and who is their favorite version of this classic bad guy?
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AGE
The Phantasm, The Joker, and a Dark Undertone Are Scary but Make for An Exceptional Batman Thriller
This movie is one I just recently watched again and I still love it . Yes, the Joker and his Laughing Gas are very freaky (a man with a smile quite horridly stretched out on his face and a case of unceasable laughter still makes me a little uncomfortable!).The plot is predictable, but is played out so well that it is forgivable. It is truly one of the best Batman movies ever made. A classic.
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AGE
A great movie!
I had no problem what so ever with this movie and i think it is a wonderful movie.
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AGE
Pretty average tame Batman movie, with a twist everyone was expecting. What a cliche.
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AGE
Sorry, Bats.
As the first animated Batman film to be released theatriclly, it's a lttle diisapointing. I don't know why, I just don't like this film.
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AGE
great i have it and love it
were you have the smilly face at ummmm i have this movie and the opening were batman beats those thugs up ummm he kills one of them when the tabel is on him he smashes hes foot on it well that thug dies on ages 10
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Kid, 10 years old
May 24, 2010
AGE
Cool and Not Cool
It's kind of hard to understand, the whole movie, because there's so much going on. But basically, in the end, that's where the fun part comes, when the Joker comes in. It is kind of violent -- Batman punches Joker's tooth out, and Joker almost kills Andrea with a propeller. Some blood shown: Batman's suit was torn up and he had a bloody mouth. Joker does that spray thing to this old dude that makes (eek!) smiley.
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AGE
Awesome movie.
This movie was awesome. But it was very violent and inappropriate for a cartoon. And it is NOT for 9 year old kids. It was freaky, and not that I'm trying to sound totally old and mature, but it might give younger kids nightmares.
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Kid, 12 years old
January 16, 2011
AGE
A true masterpiece so watch it
A complete masterpiece, however it is very frightening.
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| Topics: | superheroes, adventures |
| Studio: | Warner Home Video |
| Directors: | Bruce Timm, Erik Radomski |
| Cast: | Dana Delany, Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 74 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 29, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | April 10, 2005 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | animated violence. |
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