batman mask of the phantasm be intend to be a straight to video release and but warner bros. think it have box office potential and give it a theatrical release . i would imagine the writer must have panic when they get the memo and but they certainly deliver . the movie fail at the box office but it have do very well on home video and and rightly so . with the write staff and cast of the excellent animated series and batman represent mask of the phantasm become the first batman movie where batman be not overshadow by the villain since the adam west era . the phantasm be a vigilante who systematically kill all of gotham city mob boss . witness mistake the phantasm for batman and and batman find himself pursue by the police and despite commissioner gordon support . batman hunt down the phantasm to clear his name and but soon his arch nemesis and the joker and be hire to take out the phantasm first . in the meantime and bruce wayne ex flame andrea beaumont be back in town and and this news lead to some flashback into wayne past . when they be reunite wayne must choose between andrea and batman ( which certainly happen a lot in superhero movie ) . we learn that the phantasm have a very personal motive for kill these mob boss and as well a a connection to the joker and which keep wayne devote to his duty for at least a little while long . mask of the phantasm be really the first batman origin story on the big screen and and in many way it tell the story well than begin . the flashback be interweave throughout the movie but they do not feel like they be slow the movie to a halt . we learn how bruce wayne begin his crime fight career and design his costume . alfred reaction to the costume be perfect represent my god . the cast be perfect . kevin conroy be still the best actor to play batman ( imo ) and and mark hamill ( . ) of star war fame make a surprisingly good joker . i be shock when i learn hamill be the joker . my parent do not even believe me when i tell them and they think it must be another actor with the same name . he be a dark villain yet just right for kid and adult to enjoy . this movie prove that a batman movie can be make where batman and the villain really balance each other out . batman and the phantasm and and the joker all have compel story . the dialog be a lot good than the usual superhero cartoon and and the 1940 art deco design of gotham city be my favorite . the love story actually do not feel like a distraction and which be a refreshing change . if i have one criticism it would be that the phantasm be a little similar to catwoman in batman return . find this movie on dvd . it be one of those really good movie that you can find really cheap and but i hope they come out with more special feature in the future .