When this movie was originally released in theaters, I could only wonder what was going through the minds of those in charge at Paramount Pictures. The Phantom, as a comic book character, is relatively obscure. He doesn’t have the immediate recognition of, say, Superman, Batman or even, for that matter, Spawn. As previous movies about comic book characters have proven, it’s a delicate balance to adapt a superhero to the big screen. Some attempts, like Spawn, have gotten it right. Others, like the Batman series, have struggled to please everyone and failed miserably in the process.
I avoided The Phantom during its theatrical run. I just didn’t expect much. Possibly, these low expectations led me to enjoy the movie more than I would have had I been expecting something spectacular. But, nonetheless, The Phantom is hardly a failure. Actually, it’s pretty good for what it is.
Billy Zane plays Kit Walker, aka The Phantom, who is the protector of Bengella Island. Like his father and his father before him, The Phantom rides a white stallion and protects the islanders from pirates and villainy. When Xander Drax (Treat Williams) attempts to obtain three magical skulls which can unleash the ultimate power of evil, The Phantom is alerted to the plot and the action begins.
Granted, the plot is pretty standard fare. The skulls and their magical power, the maniacal villain and his motley crew of henchmen, and the obligatory spunky dame (Kristy Swanson) are all straight out of 90% of other comic book-type films. Where The Phantom differs from most of these movies is that it knows not to take itself seriously and manages to maintain a rather nice balance between action and humor.
Zane’s characterization of The Phantom is excellent. I prefer his version of a hero to any of the various Batman stand-ins and even to the excellent version of Superman done by Christopher Reeve. That’s a high compliment. Zane possesses charm, the proper physical characteristics and a great sense of self awareness in his humor. He realizes he’s wearing purple tights and could easily be perceived as ridiculous. Unfortunately, the rest of the cast fails to live up to his high standard and drags the movie down a star as a result.
Treat Williams is really good as the villainous Drax. I enjoyed his performance quite a bit, but he’s a bit too likable for a villain. Kristy Swanson, as Diana Palmer, the love interest, isn’t bad but her role could have been played by anyone the way she handles it.
But these are minor quibbles. The Phantom is a high-quality action/adventure that’s suitable for the entire family and really not a bore for anyone in the house. If you’re looking for a comic book hero that’s as good as but not as extreme as Spawn, check out The Phantom.
4.0 out of 5.0 stars
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