Oooooh there's a fun choice of double feature

I've probably said it before, but the opening credits for Mask of the Phantasm are so good.Batman: Mask of the Phantasm Theme / Intro / Titles ...

oooh

Yeah you can't beat that Mask of the Phantasm intro

I still say it's the best Batman movie ever done, and I hold to that.

I love Bruce's little "yes" after he goes on patrol for what seems like the first time and knocks out three thugs. (Also, I thought the movie does a good job with establishing why Bruce would fall for Andrea so hard)

It's the best movie for Bruce Wayne, period, in my book.

So many of the movies, he's just a vehicle to get to Batman shenanigans - here he's a person you get to know/care about.

I agree - it's been a while since I've seen some movies, but this strikes such a great balance between both sides of Bruce. (The "I never thought I'd be happy" scene is heartbreaking)

(Ugh it is)

I'm glad I decided to rewatch this - it serves as reminder after reminder of how Kevin Conroy was the best to play Batman. (In any medium)

And speaking of the best to play a character in any medium, here's Mark Hamill's Joker!

I like how Andrea is completely unsurprised to see Batman standing in her apartment. (Though it likely helps that she already suspects/knows that he's Bruce)

Gosh, that first Joker scene. The way Hamill makes his emotions turn on a dime.

The whole "Don't touch me old man!" / "I don't know where you've been!" turn is perfect.

Yeah, that's great - I love how he can jump between furious to funny to threatening within the same line.

I love how Joker's so dedicated to comedy that he has the choice of attacking someone with a butcher's knife but chooses a giant piece of meat instead. (Also, it's interesting that he seemed to figure out the Phantasm's identity before Bruce did, though he had several advantages)

The ending of this movie is heartbreaking - Bruce's reaction to seeing Andrea's locket in the Batcave (and the implication that she's given up on ever reconciling with Bruce) says so much without the characters saying anything.

It does such a great job at creating the possibility that Bruce could give up his crusade and find happiness only for it to be taken away by forces outside of his or Andrea's control.

Starting Return Of The Joker - I'm watching the uncut version.

Glad I saved this for after I watched the Batman Beyond series - it fits with Paxton Powers being arrested, meaning that Wayne-Powers is back to being Wayne Enterprises.

I find it funny that the news seems to be under the impression that Terry is the same Batman as the original.

Also, I like how his meeting with Barbara establishes that Terry doesn't take the Joker as seriously as Bruce does.

It's a nice touch that the voice recordings that Bruce compared were from points where the Joker was televised in the series.

I like how, despite Bruce asking Terry to turn in the suit (not wanting him to die against the Joker), he makes it clear that Terry has done him and the Batman identity proud.

This movie is already at least three of Bruce's worst nightmares rolled up into one.

I wasn't sure why this movie was toned down due to Columbine, but seeing the Jokerz opening fire in a crowded nightclub, I get it.

Arkham being partially demolished makes it even creepier, if that's possible.

You can really tell that, as soon as Batman sees Joker Junior, he is ready to kill the Joker - that knife looked like it was aimed at his head.

(Or at least he's more willing to kill the Joker than he has been before)

And that's BEFORE the Joker's "home movie".

I like the little detail that the Robins often expect that they'll take up the Batman mantle as they get older, while Bruce doesn't want that life for any of them.

The Joker has some kind of sky laser - that escalated quickly. (Though I suppose he'd want to take advantage of the technology that the future has to offer, rather than the old standby of poisoning the water supply)

The Joker's hideout closed in the distant future of 2025.

Kind of horrifying that the Joker's developed a brand of immortality similar to what Ra's al Ghul did during Batman Beyond, only much more effective. (Since if his host body is close to death, he can make a similar microchip and stick it on someone else - he doesn't require an elaborate set-up to do it)

I like how the music during the final fight subtly includes the show's theme song. (Also, this feels like what would happen if Spider-Man met the Joker)

It's a brief moment, but it's touching to see Bruce start to reconcile with Tim.

Finished. Glad I saved this for after I watched the show - it's such a great way to cap off the series and Terry's time as Batman.