The Phantom

Rating:
Summary: worth giving a try
Review: I originally saw it at the cinema and there was only one other person watching. Billy Zane was excellent the effects and story absorbing. Deserved better promotion. It at least treated a comic book hero with respect.

Rating:
Summary: Poor ad campaign sabotaged this great movie.
Review: The Phantom is one of the classic comic strip characters, whose adventures still appear in newspapers all over the world. Ugly posters and a dumb slogan "slam evil" caused poor box office for a film which got excellent reviews and which would have been a hit, if only it had been properly promoted. The writer of The Phantom film previously wrote Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and he is true to the Lee Falk character while bringing a modern sensibility to the character. Lots of action. Good fun.

Rating:
Summary: great
Review: l,m part of it l love it

Rating:
Summary: Great Action Fare
Review: I LOVE this movie! The action is on Par with the indiana Jones movies and Zane IS the Phantom. "The Ghost who walks" has never looked better! Its funny, beautifully shot and great for the whole family. I want a sequel!

Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT ADAPTION OF A TRUE ORIGINAL
Review: It is rare when a movie is so close to the book or comic on which it is based. Even Phantom creator Lee Falk was proud of this baby. Both the portrayal of the characters and the storyline follow closely the 63 year-old newspaper strip on which it is based. Billy Zane IS The Phantom, a character as mysterious as Michael Keaton's Batman, but as much fun to be with as Christopher Reeve's Superman. Treat Williams gives an all out performance as villainous Xandor Drax. And Kristy Swanson is great as tough, smart Diana Palmer, the Phantom's girlfriend. This woman is no stereotypic sceamer like Lois Lane. She gets in her own punches with the bad guys and figures out who the masked hero is on her own. The story has it all--chase scenes, explosions, sword fights, and the search for a mysterious supernatural power. But like the Indiana Jones movies, it's the characters that make the movie. Plus, it's a movie the whole family can enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: A film very close to it's comic strip roots
Review: Anyone who is a fan of THE PHANTOM comic strip will enjoy this film adaptation staring Billy Zane of Titanic fame in the lead role of the Phantom. The Phantom is actually the descendant of an entire line of ancestors who have protected the jungle from old time pirates to their modern day counterparts. All the interesting bits and pieces from the popular comic strip are here. Lots of action adventure typical of the Indiana Jones films abound and the jungle scenery is breathtaking. Enjoyable fare for the entire family.

Rating:
Summary: Billy Zane is excellent
Review: Billy Zane did an excellent job as the phantom. The action presented a bit of a Batman and Indiana Jones feel. It's about time someone gave Billy Zane the media attention he deserves for his acting ability.(Check him out in DEAD CALM and TITANIC, too!) END

Rating:
Summary: It was the coolest movie and Billy Zane is really cool.
Review: The movie did a very good job of keeping the viewer interested. Not at one point was I bored. Billy Zane is a really cool actor and did a really good job at being a super hero. END

Rating:
Summary: Very true to form
Review: This is actually a video of the Phantom, and not a book. But regardless it captures the mystery and legend of the Phantom in his battle with the Singh Pirates and The Sky Band. These were Lee Falk's first two comic strip stories drawn from Feb. 1936 through April 1937. Accordingly, the story is set in that period, and the outfits are quite good. The many facets of the Phantom are displayed, including the rings, his heritage, his honesty and strength, and even his humor. The story doesn't sink to giving him magical powers but is believable (in a comic strip sort of way.) Women should love the underlying romance of the Phantom and Diana, and especially the accurate portrayal of Diana as a headstrong, yet very capable heroine. Though she frustrates him, he adores her and treats her like a lady. A great movie, but it should certainly be available at a lower price. END

Rating:
Summary: Pulp hero
Review: Billy Zane plays the Phantom perfectly. He's not a dark, grim superhero like Batman or a neurotic superhero like Spider-Man. The Phantom loves being a superhero and being the good guy.

This is one of the best adaptions of a comic book (cartoon strip) ever captured on film. This is the type of movie meant for children of all ages. If you're looking for a movie with deep meaning, thought provoking dialogue and lots of introspection, what the heck are you doing watching The Phantom? Go see a different movie. If you're looking for entertainment in the vein of pulp fiction heroes from the Golden Age this is the movie for you.