ShangLuda Admirable film.

Nessieldwi Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

filippaberry84 I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Rosie Searle It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Peter Swanson I'd never seen this movie until a couple of months ago, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I've since seen it twice more, and still enjoy it! What some reviewers don't seem to grasp is that it is supposed to be fun, not serious. It's not competition for Indiana Jones, it's simply the story of the Phantom. If the over-the-top performance of Treat Williams was not enough to tell viewers that it is just entertainment, the performance of Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa should have let them know that this is not Hamlet. Watch and enjoy.

Maz-hell 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.

Scott LeBrun 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.

bent-mathiesen Compared to other (super) hero movies, it is not too bad. Worth seeing, but hardly for watching 2'nd or 3'th time. I enjoyed reading the Phantom comic as kid/teenager. However, when you make a movie, there is always a danger to how the stunts and acting is done, that is not part of the comic.The dress was top, mask, etc - it looked like a part of the man, which it should after so many years and generations. The wolf and cave was also OK.The reason I do not give more than 5, was that the acting from all was the typical stiff and brain damaged hero stuff, where there is a lot of work for little effort.One scene almost made me stop watching, where the girl is rescued from a flight to a horse. From flight to horse is OK, but the whole exercises was pointless as the Phantom could have disabled the bad guys in the first place. No, there had to be a rescue, and either the horse was faster then a flight, or the flight somehow flew slower than possible.The other part was the typical "bad guy" no brain, "hero acting" no brain. Just once I would like to see a movie where people do not only act heroism but also think first.And yes, the streets, the cars, everything was so beautiful and clean - I guess it is impossible to make a movies with old cars, without they come from a museum in mint condition ? Lots of actors with only little roles. Just bad guys fighting the good people for a very long sequence.Good: the fighting with swords. Often in film they do very bad, but here not that bad.So.. enjoyable, but hardly a film worth a second glance.