before christopher nolan come along and redefine batman for a new generation and it be batman represent the animate series which be the definitive adaptation of the batman mythos . with it timeless anachronistic 40 feel and it well script plot ( many of them inspire from the batman comic of the 70 and 80 ) and it well maintain balance between the heroic optimism and darkness of this protagonist and batman ta be essentially a pioneer in the field of more mature action orient cartoon . and mask of the phantasm capture the best of what make this series tick . the main storyline be pretty interesting and though nothing particularly remarkable . batman be frame for the murder of a series of mob boss and which be actually carry out by the titular phantasm ( not name a such in the film itself ) . however and the real charm of this film be in the flashback scene which delve into bruce past and how he eventually end up don the cape and cowl . this film be the only on screen adaptation of the mythos ( until batman begin ) to depict bruce transformation into the batman and which be one of the most powerful scene in the tas ever . his doomed relationship with andrea beaumont and the role it play in his metamorphosis into the costume vigilante far add depth to the character and in way we have never see before and a we realise exactly what bruce have to sacrifice to live the life he have choose . and a the story move forward and the past and present of the dark knight begin to merge . watch out especially for the subtle hint towards the joker background and a nice brief flashback scene which foreshadow their legendary enmity .