Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

"Though this spin-off from the excellent animated Batman TV series, was too dark to catch the audiences who flocked to The Lion King, it is certainly the best cartoon feature of 1993. Better-plotted than Tim Burton’s live action movies, this shares their semi-tragic characterisation of the schizo superhero and a love of the art deco gothic of Gotham City."

"What the live action Batman films should be and could be if the Warner Brother execs could pull their heads out long enough to realize it. Frankly, the live action Bat-films are embarassing compared to this and the other animated films."

"The actor's voices may suit animated television characters, but on a large screen Kevin Conroy's Batman, Mark Hamill's Joker, and Dana Delany's Andrea sound flat and one-dimensional."

"This absorbing adventure should resonate with those who take the notion of heroism seriously -- especially adolescent boys."

"While the script and pedigree of actors are commendable, the craft level is too close to the small-screen offering to get audiences into theaters."

"The mask of the phantasm is the mask that Bruce Wayne puts on every day, and if he falls into the abyss, he risks a life like Andrea's: completely alone."