I love this movie so much

Simply Perfect

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

A Major Disappointment

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.

Plot; The Phantom, a mantle handed down from father to son, squares off against an egomaniacal villain who is attempting to find three ancient skulls which, once united, will give him incredible power.While Richard Donner's Superman: The Movie was the first big budget modern comic book movie, it didn't exactly ignite the genre on the big screen. That wouldn't happen until a decade later when, at the tail end of the 80s, Tim Burton's Batman became a record breaking success and pop culture phenomenon. The 90s would see studios clamoring to find their own comic book cash cow, but few not named Batman found much success. Among these pretenders was The Phantom, based on the comic strip created by Lee Falk. It had a large budget and a rising young star in Billy Zane as the title character, but it was a massive critical and commercial flop and currently sports a paltry 4.9 rating on IDMb. So why then has it sold so briskly on home video these last twenty or so years? The answer might just be that it's a lot better than its reputation, and a heckuva lot of fun.Set in the 30s and never stopping long enough to catch its breath, it has that same Saturday serial feel as Raiders of the Lost Ark or fellow 90s comic book movie The Rocketeer. With an origin prologue lasting just a tad over a minute, it eschews the sort of lengthy setup that often plagues 21st century comic book movies and gets down to the business of two fisted, swashbuckling adventure. Zane plays Kit Walker/The Phantom with a charming dash just this side of straight with nary a wink. The supporting cast is solid, with Kristy Swanson making for a believable plucky heroine, Treat Williams a dashing villain and a young and flat out stunning Catherine Zeta-Jones making for a deliciously devilish air pirate captain. Toss in a rousing score by David Newman and The Phantom is exactly what it sets out to be; a fun bit of escapist action adventure and a good way to spend a rainy afternoon.

Billy Zane, Kristy Swanson, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Treat Williams star in this 1996 action/adventure based on the comic book. This takes place in 1939 and Zane (Titanic) plays Kit Walker, a mild-mannered man who masquerades as hero, The Phantom aka "The Ghost who Walks" following in his ancestors footsteps. He makes his way from the Bengala jungle to New York City where he tries to stop corrupt businessman, Xander Drax (Williams) from finding 3 powerful skulls that will make him unstoppable. Swanson (Buffy The Vampire Slayer) plays Diana Palmer, Kit's college friend & love-interest and Jones (The Haunting) plays Sala, a woman who works for Drax, but eventually becomes an ally to Kit and Diana. James Remar, Patrick McGoohan, David Proval and Casey Siemaszko also appear. This isn't bad, Zane is OK as the lead and the film sort of has an Indiana Jones vibe to it. I still recommend this.

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