Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)

 

You know, this actually is one of the best Batman-films out there. It most certainly is the best animated one by far. Not only did it come soaring on the wave of awesomeness that is 'The Animated Series', it is also based on both 'Year One' and 'Year Two' story arcs, which are in themselves superb. Add to that the always stellar voice acting of stalwarts Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill and throw in Dana Delaney and voila: a classic is born!

The story takes place during the early years of Batman's reign. Some mysterious caped person is killing some of Gotham's lead gangsters and the blame is placed squarely on Batman's shoulders. Those in the know (like Commissioner Gordon) realize that it couldn't possibly be the Batman, as he does not kill bad guys. Nevertheless, tensions are soaring. 

On a personal level, it doesn't get any easier for Bruce Wayne once he discovers an old flame of his named Andrea Beaumont, is back in town. Being the one woman he actually wanted to marry several years back, this of course is hard on him and once again he is having doubts as to whether his crime fighting career is actually worth it. 

And to make things even worse, the gangsters employ the services of the Clown Prince of Crime to find out who is offing them, but naturally one has but to wonder whether this doesn't make things even more dangerous and unpredictable... 

This one is absolutely outstanding. The musical score is stellar, the animation sublime and completely along the lines of the stylized animated series, of course and the writing is top notch. No really, the superlatives for this one are all justified. Is the mystery fairly easy to solve? Yes, that might be considered the one downfall of this adventure. But this is also one of the few times we have ever seen Batman at his most vulnerable and the film doesn't pull its punches when it comes to tough storybeats. 

So yes: this is not only one of the greatest animated Batman features out there, it is hands down one of the best Batman films out there.