Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm (1993) ***1/2

Long regarded as one of the best Batman stories and a fan favorite (I have multiple friends that are especially enamored with this film), I finally got around to seeing Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm (1993). I loved the Art Deco/noir styled animation, appreciated the darker turns, and the action scenes and voice acting are both impressive, but I found the story a bit too straightforward and some of the beats straight up sappy. As films, I'll still take the Burton Bats any day.