BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM

This, a feature-length movie version of the acclaimed Warner Bros cartoon series, is the finest Batman movie to date. Being animated, it is therefore closest to Bob Kane's original comic-strip version, yet paradoxically the characters are actually more three-dimensional and realised than in the three live action versions.

The plot of Mask of the Phantasm deals with the Batman's origins and early life with a great deal of depth and sensitivity - much more so than in Batman Forever for instance. Here we see Bruce Wayne's drives, goals and inner conflicts, balanced with his desire for a life of happiness away from the grief and misplaced guilt surrounding his parents' death. The origin of Batman myth has been told many times, but this telling is the best I have seen.

The story revolves around a mysterious vigilante killer (the Phantasm of the title), a past flame returned into Wayne's life, and - everyone's favourite - the Joker. Depicted via the medium of excellently drawn animation, with subtle film noir and deco backdrops, the action is as heart-stopping and exciting as any live action movie. Voice talents are well-used (particularly Mark Hamil's manic Joker), and the script is intelligently written with some nice comic lines - especially from the droll Wayne family manservant Alfred.

Together with Disney, Warner Bros have been responsible for revitalising a barren medium (think of all the 70s and 80s animation classics - exactly). Whereas Disney have concentrated on the family market, Warner Bros, with Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, have produced an intelligent and adult piece of animation, one that can easily stand comfortably amongst most live-action offerings of a similar genre.

True comic-book action. 9/10