The Phantom (1996)

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

It's complicated... I really like the directing, acting and writing but, there are issues with the way it's shot that I just can't deny. As much as I love the storytelling and the fantastic performance but, there are also certain scenes that didn't need to exist.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

This is one of those movies that you have no idea how to react at it. It takes itself seriously, but it became so campy and over the top that it ends being extremely funny.The phantom is the XXI generation of guys that have liven in the middle of nowhere, defending the jungle from... pirates that killed everyone the first ever phantom loved... from the middle of the jungle. It is never really explained what is in his territory (he has a territory, but he saves everyone... for some reason) or something about the pirates but whatever.He disguises himself in a freaking purple suit in the middle of the jungle!Whatever, lets continue.He must stop the newer... newish... kinda pirates, who kidnap a girl that knows too much, that by pure coincidence is known by the phantom... from the middle of the jungle... because he studied in the United Stated for some reason... even though he does not know what a dollar is... whatever.You know what? it is campy and terribly retarded, but it is very funny if you turn your brain down. And I mean down. It is based in a campy old comic, what could I have expected of it? It is extremely moronic. Don't think too much and you will find it good for passing the minutes being lazy. Do not expect a brain challenge or logic.

Lee Falks' old time comic series character got reinvented for the 1990s movie audience with this goofy escapist entertainment. If you like your comic adaptations to be on the dark and gritty side, look elsewhere. This one deliberately goes for an old fashioned movie serial feel, as well as a sense of tongue in cheek. None of the villains are really all that intimidating, and the heroes are amusing in their basic wholesomeness and banter.Billy Zane plays the title role, an avenger who's lived for centuries. In the "present day" (the movie takes place in 1938), he's out to stop the evil plan of a ruthless tycoon named Xander Drax (Treat Williams, who's not afraid to go the campy route). He will also battle ageless pirates known as the Sengh Brotherhood. Drawn into the fray is high society type Diana Palmer (the appealing Kristy Swanson)."The Phantom" was originally set to be directed by Joe Dante, who had to leave the project due to other commitments. Dante does, however, retain a co-executive producer credit. It ended up in the capable hands of Aussie born Hollywood director Simon Wincer ("Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man", "Free Willy"), who keeps the story moving forward more than adequately. The sets, location shooting (in Thailand and Australia), widescreen photography, stunts, special effects, and action set pieces are all reasonably well done.Zane is a charismatic Phantom, and Swanson is an effectively feisty leading lady. Williams is fun, as are James Remar and the incredibly sexy Catherine Zeta Jones as his fellow villains. Patrick McGoohan isn't given much to do as the specter of the Phantoms' father. There's a nice array of recognizable faces in supporting and character parts: Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Bill Smitrovich, Casey Siemaszko, David Proval, Samantha Eggar, John Capodice, etc.There's really nothing memorable here, but "The Phantom" does kill 101 minutes in acceptable fashion.Six out of 10.

At the time of its release The Phantom had a lot going against it. The recent renewed interest in superhero movies had not yet begun. The only such movies that had enjoyed any success by 1996 were the original Superman and the Tim Burton Batman series. Fact is, unless you were a complete comics nerd nobody had really heard of any other characters. Add to that the fact that the Phantom was not particularly well known outside of the USA where it did not begin life as either a Marvel OR a DC comic and you realise how brave it was to make this movie without any A-list actors in it either. Fact is, I enjoyed this at the time of its release because it successfully achieved the feat of telling a classic comic yarn without requiring any particular special effects. It is completely story driven. The script isn't a work of genius but there is a lot to enjoy. It doesn't spoon-feed you the story or bore you with an 'origin' story - a quick 2 minute recap is given and then its on with the story. This won't please everybody - but if you can get around the faults with mid-nineties film-making in general, and that comics place other values way above realism, then you might enjoy this even now. I recently re-watched this after it appeared on Netflix and I stand by my original opinions after nearly 20 years!

... 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+