Mask of the Phantasm (1993) Warner Archive Blu-ray Review

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Mask of the Phantasm (1993) Warner Archive Blu-ray Review

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Күн бұрын

#BatmanTheAnimatedSeries #MaskOfThePhantasm #WarnerArchive
This is my review of the 2017 Warner Archive Blu-ray release for BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM (1993). The strong sales of this disc led to the main studio label releasing the complete animated series a few years later with it included. However it is the Archive's strong disc of the feature and its sister film Subzero that remain the best presentations of any BTAS materials on home video.
In this review I cover some notes on the film as well as technical aspects. In addition to making detailed comparisons to the DVD and Laserdisc editions I include direct screencaps of both widescreen and 1.33:1 transfers.

Пікірлер: 25

@1dbanner 2 жыл бұрын

This is one of those films where I remember the merchandise more than the movie itself. I didn't see this movie until a few years ago when I began revisiting the animated series, and was floored. TAS is really THE rendition of Batman outside the pages of a comic.

@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader 2 жыл бұрын

I vaguely remember the merch and toys but like the movie theatrical release it was very limited. MOTP also had the fun blunder of revealing the plot twist in the action figure... As the years go by I think MOTP might be not just the best Batman film but perhaps my personal favorite Batman story of all time.

@mikedbz8530 11 ай бұрын

If supporting a release of mask of the Phantasm gets us a release of Batman the animated series on the current format each and every time it's release it better damn Well be worth it. Hearing from the future of 2023 with a 4K Blu-ray, hopefully without any major or minor flaws to get a support of a 4K Remastered version of BTAS on UHD.

@slave_to_cinema 2 жыл бұрын

I completely forgot about Mask of the Phantasm and havent seen it since i was youngster. And i dont own it so def going to track this down! Love your channel and content!

@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader 2 жыл бұрын

I'd say go ahead and get the Animated Series Blu-ray boxset since it includes the WAC discs for MOTP and Subzero. MOTP is a whole new film experience when you see it as an adult.

@matthewlabenz7283 2 жыл бұрын

Huge Batman fan here and I completely agree this is the best Batman film ever and this is the definitive version of Batman. 🦇

@garymoviefan4294 Жыл бұрын

Hey Spence, Mask of the Phantasm 4K was just announced! Hopefully Warner Archive will handle it.

@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader Жыл бұрын

Unfortunately it’s the studio label and only has one new featurette and an audio remix so there’s no telling how it will turn out.

@KnightOfNewColu 11 ай бұрын

If they’re working from the Archive Blu Ray as its foundation, hopefully it’s good

@Thecatdrums3 2 жыл бұрын

Felt the same way with the ghostbusters new 4K. That laserdisc audio is not essentially vinyl with audio tracks. The analog sound LD has just is so engaging like modern digital audio isn’t. I have the double Blu-ray Disc set with subzero. I always preferred subzero and find the similarities between Batman returns love story and the one in this one seems to be a direct lift. Especially with the close releases. I still have the old dvd complete set with the bonus disc so I never bought the new blu-ray since I heard it wasn’t the best release. The Batman beyond blu-ray set I did buy and found some issues with the new transfer so held onto some of my old beyond dvds since the most obvious error is the first episode that is missing the added tape effects the episode originally aired with. I appreciate that they went to the film elements but the tapes ad their own extra additions they seemed to have complete ignored for the blu-ray which I assume is what the original animated Batman set also does.

@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader 2 жыл бұрын

The modern sets have some issues for sure and I'm holding onto my DVDs for the original presentation aesthetic. The HD transfers do work wonders for some things and I wish Warner Archive had handled them in order to be up to their standards. I'll be reviewing the BTAS set in a longer video and while it does have a number of issues the transfers themselves are light years ahead of the old masters found on the DVDs. I think it's necessary to have both and the BD set frequently goes on sale for dirt cheap. There is some shared DNA with the comics and Batman Returns to be found in MOTP. However I don't think it was intentional just more of a shared influence. Alan Burnett has said this when people bring up Batman Year Two from the comics but I'm sure it would be the same for people mentioning Returns Selina vs. Andrea. I adore both films which highlights the similarity even more. MOTP is the best comic film bar none and Returns would be the best live action comic film for me.

@Riddler95 2 жыл бұрын

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is truly a brilliant movie. I have loved it since I was a kid and I am happy that it has received so much appreciation over the years because it truly deserves it. It sucks that it has never had a "Deluxe Edition" on Home Video with bonus features. I don't have the Blu-Ray from Warner Archive yet but I am planning on buying the Blu-Ray set of Batman: The Animated Series. I do however the DVD back in the Summer of 2007 I bought both Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and SubZero for $3.99 each from a Zellers department store back in 2007. If I ever come across a LaserDisc copy I would buy it. I also like that it is one of the few Warner Bros LaserDiscs that was entirely in CAV. I love the 2.0 Surround mix for Batman: Mask of the Phantasm! It is one of my all-time favourite 2.0 Surround Mixes. I also watch prefer to Batman: Mask of the Phantasm in it's "Matted Widescreen" version cause I find that it gives the movie more of a cinematic feel. I find that the Widescreen framing works very well for the most part but there are a few shots where it doesn't.

@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader 2 жыл бұрын

I think it may be my favorite Batman story overall. It’s certainly the best feature film based on any comic character and retains such an emotional depth even all these years later. The archive discs are repackaged in the series set so I would definitely recommend going ahead for the boxset. They made the slimmed down version which is frequently on sale for very cheap so just go with that. I’m currently working on my much longer review of that set which unfortunately because it was done by the regular studio does have a few issues that wouldn’t be there if the archive had been able to do the series. Still the new transfers are amazing for the most part and it is worth every penny. I am keeping my DVDs for the awesome packaging, the original broadcast look and feel, and for the handful of episodes that have defective audio on the Blu-ray‘s.

@Riddler95 2 жыл бұрын

It is ironic you say that because the slimmed down version is the one that I plan to buy. I still got my four DVD volumes of the animated series and I don't have any intention to unload them.

@SoapNugget 2 жыл бұрын

Ngl you kinda look like Paul Dano, just thought I would mention it also love this movie

@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader 2 жыл бұрын

I’ll take it! Maybe that can get me into the Criterion closet…😂

@garymoviefan4294 4 ай бұрын

Hi Spence, Will you ever be reviewing The Killing Joke, Batman Beyond...and beyond (lol)...?

@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader 4 ай бұрын

Yes I’m doing the other main DCAU shows but I had to start over watching when I got my oled so I should be finishing them soon.

@garymoviefan4294 4 ай бұрын

That's GREAT news! Cannot wait!!!

@pkkingcrimsonrequiem1332 2 жыл бұрын

Do you have the rest of the DCAU shows on Blu-Ray? Or at least the ones that are?

@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader 2 жыл бұрын

Yes I do. I'm working on my longer review of the B:TAS Blu-ray boxset and will be doing reviews of the Justice League, JLU, Teen Titans, Batman Beyond and Superman TAS BD sets. I plan to work on those next over a few months as it takes me some time to do. (as I take technical notes when watching through each episode)