Cool Stuff: ‘Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm’ Is Finally Coming To Blu-Ray
Following the release of Tim Burton’sBatmanin 1989 and the sequelBatman Returnsin 1992, Warner Bros. Pictures tried their hand at bringing the animated version of The Dark Knight to theaters withBatman: Mask of the Phantasmon Christmas Day in 1993.
As a continuation ofBatman: The Animated Series, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year likeBatman Returns, the animated film didn’t spark much interest at the box office,pulling in only $5.6 millionin its entire domestic run. Still,Batman: Mask of the Phantasmhas become a favorite among Batman fans, especially with all the love that they have for the animated series that inspired it.
For years, fans have wanted to get their hands onBatman: Mask of the Phantasmin high definition, but it hadn’t been made available. That will change later this year though as Warner Archive has just announced the animated movie will be releases on Blu-ray this summer. Find out more about theBatman Mask of the PhantasmBlu-ray after the jump.
Warner Archive made the announcementon their Facebook pagewith an image of the Blu-ray:
The release will have a 1080p HD remaster of the film and will include the original 16:9 aspect ratio (1.78:1) as well as an open mate 4:3 (1.37:1) version for people who like their movies ruined. Unfortunately, the special features leave something to be desired as the film’s theatrical trailer is the only item listed.
Still, just gettingBatman: Mask of the Phantasmavailable in HD for the first time will be a treat for fans. There’s no specific release date yet, but the home video release is said to arrive sometime inJuly.
For those who don’t know,Batman: Mask of the Phantasmwas The Caped Crusader’s only theatrically released animated movie untilThe LEGO Batman Moviecame out earlier this year. It’s directed byEric RadomskiandBruce TimmfromBatman: The Animated Seriesand features the voice ofKevin Conroyas Batman as well asMark Hamillas The Joker.
If you’ve somehow avoided seeing Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, I’d spend the time between now and the release watching (or rewatching)Batman: The Animated Series(which is available free with Amazon Prime) so you can dive in with this version of Batman fresh in your mind. You won’t be disappointed.
When the city’s most feared gangsters are systematically eliminated, the Caped Crusader is blamed. But prowling the Gotham night is a shadowy new villain, the Phantasm, a sinister figure with some link to Batman’s past. Can the Dark Knight elude the police, capture the Phantasm and clear his own name?
Unmasking the Phantasm is just one of the twists in this dazzling animated feature. Discover revelations about Batman’s past, his archrival the Joker and Batman’s most grueling battle ever — the choice between his love for a beautiful woman and his vow to be the defender of right.
