capone666
The PhantomThe reason Africa doesn't have any superheroes is because they were shipped to the US as slaves.Sadly, the only guardian the Motherland has left is the white guy in this action movie.The legend of The Phantom has been told in African lore for generations. Now, like his father (Patrick McGoohan), Kit Walker (Billy Zane) must become The Ghost Who Walks.Sworn to safeguard Bengalla, the purple protector returns when industrialist Xander Drax (Treat Williams), his deadly assistant (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and Kit's ex-girlfriend (Kristy Swanson) come to the undisclosed island for the powerful Skulls of Touganda.Released at the end of the pulp hero renaissance of the 1990s, this earnest adaptation of Lee Falk's comic strip icon is faithful to its swashbuckling roots. And while its whitewashed veneer is troubling, the campy adventure remains fun. Incidentally, strutting around the jungle in purple is an excellent way to attract a peahen. Yellow Lightvidiotreviews.blogspot.ca
moviemattb
As a kid, I remember calling the Phantom as Robin, because his mask is similar to Batman's sidekick; of course its not Robin, but its hard to believe that the mask is similar to Robin's. If you agree with me or not. With that said, I grew up watching this movie on an old VHS and really did had fun with it. This was before I started watching the Indiana Jones movies, because this movie is like watching one of the Saturday Matinée Serials. The character of the Phantom does have some similarities to Batman like having someone taking care of their wounds as well as having a cave as their hideout. The movie itself is based on the comic strip by Lee Falk, which I have not read any of them nor having that much of knowledge to it but I am curious to learn more about the Phantom. So does the movie hold up? Well here are my thoughts: The movie is about an immortal crime fighter, where he is being called "The Ghost Who Walks" because whenever they think he's dead he always comes back; the Phantom is also dealing with enemies as they get their hands of the Skulls of Touganda as they posses enough power that can cause destruction. It is up to the Phantom stop the bad guys before its too late. After watching this movie as a kid, I'm an adult now as I'm now looking back it, the movie really does hold up. I don't mean its a masterpiece, but it is a fun old fashion adventure flick. I don't know why this movie failed at the box-office, which it may have been that no one has ever heard of either the comic strips, a hero wearing a purple outfit that turns people off or the movie itself was badly marketed. Also, receiving a 4.9 on this website is really low, even a forty-two percent rotten on Rotten Tomatoes which I don't think its as bad as what everyone is making it out to be. I know the late Roger Ebert likes this movie, and I do find it really cool that he really likes it. By the way, I miss him too. Anyway, it is one or the other on why this movie failed at the box-office. In my opinion, I thought the story is just as simplistic as it is while the acting is well done. Billy Zane does a great job in the role for embodied the character as well as his charms, and his coolness which it kind of makes him the Clark Gable type. Treat Williams' performance is over the top, but he is fun to watch. Kristy Swanson does a good job, but nothing amazing to run home about. Her character sometimes is a damsel in distress, and she can be feisty too as she joins in the fight. Catherine Zeta-Jones is in this movie too, and she is great to look at before she would go on to do "The Mask of Zorro." I really do like the music that David Newman created, and I thought the theme for "The Phantom" is pretty memorable. I do like the look of the thirties like the look of New York, which it does make a great looking movie as the movie is suppose to be like the comic strips. I don't have a big deal with the Phantom's purple costume, which I wouldn't be surprise if I was the only one that can take this seriously than anyone that issues with the costume. The movie does take notes like the Indiana Jones movies, where you do have some nice physical stunt work as the action scenes. Sure the action may be like any other action adventure movies, but at the same time I had fun with it. There isn't that many CGI in this movie, which that is a big plus for this movie. I think the only thing that is CG is where the lasers come out of the Phantom's ring, and the Skulls of Touganda that Drax used at the movie's final act. I'm not sure about the Skulls that came out of the briefcase if its either CG or practical, but I thought the movie does have good effects for the most part. The movie is very well paced, and I never find any parts that bored me to death. Simon Wincer, to make a long story short, does a fine job directing the movie. Any problems? Yes. While I do enjoy the action in this movie, sometimes there are parts that are not fast enough in order to make it more exciting. Also, while the effects are good, the movie does feature some bad blue or green screen effects like where the Phantom and Diana Palmer are riding on an airplane. Lastly, I do wish if the movie could have some more character development. I read that Simon Wincer had cut out the romance parts in order to make the movie more fast-paced. So I guess that could be one of the reasons why there is not much characterization in this movie. I don't have this movie on DVD or Blu-Ray, but I would like to get one if it has any features which sadly it does not, thanks to Lionsgate or Paramount for getting the treatment that this movie deserve. Maybe Shout Factory should pick this up to give this movie some special features because we are in the year 2016, and it has been twenty years since this movie first came out. I'm calling for a twentieth anniversary special edition release. In conclusion, "The Phantom" may have its flaws, but I don't think it as bad as everyone makes it out to be. I had fun watching this movie, and I am giving it an 8 out of 10.
Glenn Petersen
This movie knows it is awful, and it doesn't even have the good sense to poke fun at itself. A nod or a wink to let you know that the people who made it are aware of what they're making. The dialog plays out like a conversation between three pre-teens. The action is similarly brainless. Hint: Horses can't run faster than airplanes, and loose nets that drop from the ceiling aren't really effective traps. I don't think I heard a convincing spoken word or saw a convincing action sequence during the whole movie.It's so entirely terrible, that I kind of want to charge HBO rent for letting it play on my TV.
Wuchak
... but that's not necessarily a bad thing. After all, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" is one of the greatest adventure movies of all time. There's quite a bit of "Raiders" in 1996's "The Phantom"; it's just no where as good. Even the three Indiana Jones sequels are better. But it's not bad either.Billy Zane shines in the title role -- charming and in absolute perfect shape -- while Kristy Swanson and Catherine Zeta-Jones offer their feminine charms to the mix, not to mention Samantha Eggar. Also on hand are James Remar, Treat Williams and Patrick McGoohan."The Phantom" is just a fun, cartooney adventure that takes place mostly in the jungle, with some parts in the big city. It's great for a night when you're in the mood for some light viewing.The film runs 100 minutes and was shot in Thailand, Australia and California.GRADE: C+
