jc-osms I'm sure I've read the odd "Phantom" cartoon strip in a newspaper, although never in a full- length comic, but that was enough to tempt me to watch this boy's own adventure brought to life. I gather the film was a major flop on original release and I can see it slightly uneasily balancing itself somewhere between the likes of the sublime "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and the later, less-so "National Treasure". In fact the film it most resembles is the soon-come "The Mummy" which of course was a commercial smash and spawned a similarly cash-generating sequel.No such luck for the team here though which is a little bit of a shame as it's an entertaining romp and with better timing may have caught a similar wave of success. It's a touch light on the special effects but then again, "The Phantom" isn't super-powered anyway, just being very athletic, a good horseman and nifty with his two-toting guns. The cinematography is excellent throughout, from the recreation of 1930's New York streets, to the climactic scenes in the Brotherhood's underground cave and in particular, some excellent landscape shots of the Bengalla jungle, the Phantom's habitat.Billy Zane makes for an energetic but genial hero, knowing that he's not really scary- looking in his purple onesie, Kristy Swanson does well as his spirited tomboy girlfriend and Treat Williams scores as the dastardly villain Xander Drax. Catherine Zeta-Jones is less convincing as a bad-girl-turned-good and the great Patrick McGoohan is wasted as the Phantom's ghostly father who makes intermittent appearances as his son's conscience. There are fight scenes a plenty and especially a fine duel between the hero and major baddie at the end which respects the traditions of swashbucklers of Hollywood's golden age.A little like its eponymous hero then, this movie was a little out of time but was otherwise light, enjoyable old-fashioned entertainment.

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.

Dark_Lord_Mark The Phantom is one of those classic heroes that star maybe fading. Back in the 90's he was fondly remembered for the 80's cartoon, Defenders of the Universe and the Phantom cartoon in the 90's, which was excellent.The movie cam out and was a bust and I cannot figure it out.My take is, back in the 90's, heroes were not cool, so many 90's kids would much rather see XYZ and ignore hero films...indeed the 90's were dark times.....comics were dying.So many ignored the Phantom and it seemed movies like it such as the Shadow and Rocketeer. Since many did not read comics, and the Phantom's fame was really in the 50's, it was hard to be successful.Billy Zane took the mantle and played the Phantom aka Kit Walker. He was the Phantom and played it well. The plot was very good, but like Superman, people hate goody2Shoes heroes. But the Phantom is a movie to catch if you are in need of a hero to save you from modern movie making.The stunts were real and CGI is nonexistent.Phantom gets a 10 from me. Ignore the ignos here, MUST SEE!

Python Hyena The Phantom (1996): Dir: Simon Wincer / Cast: Billy Zane, Kristy Swanson, Treat Williams, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Patrick McGoohan: Biggest selling comic book in Australia but not quite so successful here in North America where his purple disguise must compete with Barney and his "I Love You" song. He is a hero that isn't always seen but his impact is quite visible. He lives in the jungle with native friends. Plot regards the search for three priceless skulls that can give power over mankind. This sort of plot contraption is getting too old. Directed by Simon Wincer who handles the action with skill with stunning visual elements. This is quite a departure from his previous film Free Willy. Billy Zane is donning a costume with no personality to go with it. Treat Williams plays the villain as a prop with some sort of brilliant world domination plan that will leave him as an idiot as it did numerous other villains. Kristy Swanson serves only as a possible sex toy for our purple clad hero. Catherine Zeta-Jones is featured as a villainous who will switch sides because she is hot and looks great in black leather, thus rendering applause from young male viewers. Patrick McGoohan plays the Phantum's father, which should indicate how brief his appearance is. The film does little more than showcase a blown budget and a hero who should quit and take up performing at birthday parties. Score: 3 / 10