Back in the '90s, super hero movies were pretty limited. The Batman series was about it. Marvel had yet to release X-Men. While that and other projects that stormed theaters in the 2000's were in development, studios were clamoring to get their hands on anything resembling a super hero or comic book to snatch up money from anxious fans. Films such as Dick Tracy (1990), The Rocketeer (1991), and The Shadow (1994) featured pulpy characters in 1930's settings and met with some to little success. Another such character appeared in 1996 in the form of The Phantom, based on Lee Falk's comic strip that debuted in 1936. It starred Billy Zane in the title role, along with Kristy Swanson, Treat Williams, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. The Phantom did poorly at the box office and received mixed reviews. Since its release on home video, however, the film has developed a loyal following, and there have been rumors over the past few years of another feature film based on the character being developed.
I saw The Phantom back in '96 after it released on VHS. I had never been a big fan of the character, but was familiar with him and read the comic strip on occasion (it was the closest thing to a super hero in the funny papers). I remember enjoying the movie, but found it forgettable, especially since I didn't remember much about it upon seeing it again recently. The Phantom has improved with age. It's a fun movie that is pretty loyal to its source material. In an age when many super hero films go for the dark tone (which isn't always a bad thing), it was refreshing to see such a movie that didn't take itself too seriously and just has a good time with an enjoyable adventure.
The main villain, Xander Drax (yes, that's correct), is searching for three mystical skulls that, if brought together, will give the bearer incredible power. The Phantom, of course, has to stop him. The film moves from the jungle to New York City then back to another jungle for its conclusion. The pacing is never off as the story just moves ahead smoothly with never a dull moment. There are obvious influences from the Indiana Jones series, with impressive stunt work that is equal to anything done in those films. On top of that, all of the actors seem like they had fun making this movie, as it shows in all of the performances.
The Phantom is an enjoyable adventure. It's reminiscent of a time when movies were simply fun escapism. There's no hidden message. The hero isn't angst-filled. The Phantom wears a purple suit and no one hardly notices. Great stuff that deserves to be revisited.
The Phantom is available on DVD and Blu-Ray, but must be out of print and somewhat of a collector's item due to the high prices it fetches online. Worth the hunt for those who can't get enough superheroes.
