Post by klep on Nov 2, 2015 7:29:49 GMT -6
MOVIE OF THE WEEK: Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
For many of us who grew up in the 80s and 90s, the version of Batman most salient to us is the one created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm for Batman: The Animated Series. Eventually, the DC Animated Universe grew to encompass the full variety of the superheroes of DC Comics (the Vigilante of all people got an episode of Justice League: Unlimited), but it all started with the Bat.
For the series, Dini and Timm created an aesthetic based in art deco architecture and German expressionism. B:TAS' Gotham is a city of harsh shadows, and sharp angles. It's this aesthetic which makes the series what it is, and it's what makes Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (co-directed by Eric Radomski) the visually striking film that it is. Unfortunately it was put into theaters on very short notice and flopped despite critical acclaim.
And that acclaim was well-deserved. Plenty of energy - arguably too much - has been devoted to why Bruce Wayne became Batman, but Mask of the Phantasm investigates why he stays that way. In the present Batman is tracking a new vigilante who is killing mob bosses. Meanwhile, in flashback we are introduced to Andrea Beaumont, a woman Bruce started a relationship with near the beginning of his time as a vigilante. As the film progresses, these stories intertwine and create a powerful investigation of the lines a vigilante can cross and what it would take to get Bruce to put down the cowl.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is an excellent example of the level of quality that could come from the people working on the DCAU, and for how good it is it still may not be the best they ever produced (the episode Heart of Ice is another strong contender). What other fond memories of this glorious era of superhero animation do you have to share?
OUR NEXT MOVIE OF THE WEEK for 11/9: All That Jazz
Another close race between excellent films, but this time All That Jazz held a clear lead all the way. Join us next week as we talk about Bob Fosse's semi-autobiographical masterpiece.
For many of us who grew up in the 80s and 90s, the version of Batman most salient to us is the one created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm for Batman: The Animated Series. Eventually, the DC Animated Universe grew to encompass the full variety of the superheroes of DC Comics (the Vigilante of all people got an episode of Justice League: Unlimited), but it all started with the Bat.
For the series, Dini and Timm created an aesthetic based in art deco architecture and German expressionism. B:TAS' Gotham is a city of harsh shadows, and sharp angles. It's this aesthetic which makes the series what it is, and it's what makes Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (co-directed by Eric Radomski) the visually striking film that it is. Unfortunately it was put into theaters on very short notice and flopped despite critical acclaim.
And that acclaim was well-deserved. Plenty of energy - arguably too much - has been devoted to why Bruce Wayne became Batman, but Mask of the Phantasm investigates why he stays that way. In the present Batman is tracking a new vigilante who is killing mob bosses. Meanwhile, in flashback we are introduced to Andrea Beaumont, a woman Bruce started a relationship with near the beginning of his time as a vigilante. As the film progresses, these stories intertwine and create a powerful investigation of the lines a vigilante can cross and what it would take to get Bruce to put down the cowl.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is an excellent example of the level of quality that could come from the people working on the DCAU, and for how good it is it still may not be the best they ever produced (the episode Heart of Ice is another strong contender). What other fond memories of this glorious era of superhero animation do you have to share?
OUR NEXT MOVIE OF THE WEEK for 11/9: All That Jazz
Another close race between excellent films, but this time All That Jazz held a clear lead all the way. Join us next week as we talk about Bob Fosse's semi-autobiographical masterpiece.