Today’s quick review: The Phantom. The Phantom (Billy Zane), a masked crimefighter with a reputation for immortality, has protected the jungles of Bengalla for centuries. When the henchmen of Xander Drax (Treat Williams), a wealthy crime boss, steal a silver skull, the Phantom and Diana Palmer (Kristy Swanson), an adventurous newspaper heiress on Drax’s trail, travel to New York to stop him from claiming the skull’s untold power.
The Phantom is a superhero adventure movie based on the classic comics character. The Phantom is a throwback to old-school pulp adventures and the early days of the superhero genre. Featuring fiendish villains, exotic locations, and a dash of mysticism, The Phantom attempts to recapture the excitement and innocence of the genre’s roots. In this it is only partially successful, hitting most of the right beats but lacking the quality to make them work.
The Phantom suffers from a few related problems. The action is adequate but not impressive. The writing covers the basics well enough, but there are no surprises or memorable moments. The 1930s setting should help distinguish The Phantom, but the movie lacks the style to make the most of it. On the whole, The Phantom apes the adventure genre without tapping into the sense of wonder at the genre’s heart.
Watch The Phantom only if you are interested enough in pulp-era adventure to overlook the movie’s flaws. The Phantom provides a basic take on a historically important character, but it’s missing the spark needed to make the premise work. For a stylized take on a similar era of adventure, check out Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. For adventure movies with better execution, check out the Indiana Jones or Librarian series.
4.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 for a pleasant tone and mediocre execution.