Parents' Guide to

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

By Charles Cassady Jr., Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Tamer than live-action, but still moody, violent.

Movie PG 2008 74 minutes
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 10 parent reviews

Dry Wall
Dry Wall Adult
July 3, 2022
age 9+
Best Batman film ever. Very broody. Some Blood.
SiRenfield
SiRenfield Adult
January 6, 2022
age 11+

OP's a bit harsh, but I'm not disagreeing on the family friendliness aspect

If you're a Batman fan that maybe wants to get their kids into the franchise (don't read too deep into that I know we're all anti-consumerist around here LOL) I'd consider this a "transitional" movie like if they're too old for the more the "kiddie" stuff like Brave and the Bold ,but still too young for the Nolan trilogy. I personally consider this possibly the best Batman movie (animated or otherwise), but this made during a different time when PG was still considered a point that was too edgy for a G-rating ,but not edgy enough enough for an R-rating as some of the violence could be seen as very scary for some kids such as the scene where they discover a mobster that the Joker got his hands on. Albeit granted the other categories a bit milder in comparison (and in the case of smoking it shows the consequences of it), although admittedly whether this movie is suitable for your kids might also depend on your child's tolerance towards "the kissing parts" to quote the Princess Bride. Worth noting is that home media releases (sadly not on HBO Max though) contain an optional censored version, although this review is strictly of the uncut version.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 10 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say (10):
Kids say (26):

It's easy to deduce the identity of the mysterious "Phantasm" -- Batman doesn't earn points here as a great detective; the 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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the style and storyline of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. 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?

Movie Details

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