★ 5 / 10
There was a time when Hollywood had high
CinemaSerf
There was a time when Hollywood had high hopes for Billy Zane, bit sadly his participation in mediocre stuff like this never really helped his career much. He…
There was a time when Hollywood had high hopes for Billy Zane, bit sadly his participation in mediocre stuff like this never really helped his career much. He portrays the eponymous character (adequately, but no better) who must travel to New York on the trail of the evil "Drax" (Treat Williams) who wants obtain and combine three ancient skulls and obtain the ultimate power in the universe. Yes, so far we have about six different films all roled into one and this doesn't really do justice to any of them. Catherine Zeta-Jones does her best, but she was never a great actress anyway and given there is only the bare bones of a part for her to deliver, she looks faintly ridiculous most of the time. There is a tiny bit of redemption in the form of "Diana" (Kristy Swanson) who is our hero's pretty disgruntled but feisty and capable ex-girlfriend, and the quality of the production is, and looks, good. Zane, though, just can't carry it in his purple lycra, and the twist at the end all just came far too late to enliven this listless comic book adventure. It might have looked better in monochrome?
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★ 7 / 10
Campy fun of a time. Seen this a
JPV852
Campy fun of a time. Seen this a few times over the years and while he does look goofy in the purple outfit, Billy Zane is good in the role and a shame this…
Campy fun of a time. Seen this a few times over the years and while he does look goofy in the purple outfit, Billy Zane is good in the role and a shame this didn't get a follow-up. A bit surprising there hasn't been some sort of series adaptation of the material. **3.25/5**
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★ 6 / 10
Exciting version of the popular comic books about the immortal Masked Man
ma-cortes
Thrilling and fun picture loosely based on Lee Falk's first stories from The Phantom comic strip , "The Singh Brotherhood" and "The Sky Band" . The story takes…
Thrilling and fun picture loosely based on Lee Falk's first stories from The Phantom comic strip , "The Singh Brotherhood" and "The Sky Band" . The story takes place in 1938/39 , just before the United States entered World War II . Our stalwart hero (Billy Zane) lives in a cave lair on the deep as well as dangerous Bengalla jungle with his wolf-dog and a servant . He discovers his destiny and 400 years old legacy when his mysterious late father (Patrick McGoohan) tells him that he must carry on his legacy as a superhero called The Panthom , the Ghost who walks , a seemingly immortal crime fighter and descendant of a line of African heroes . The Skull is a dominate symbol in The Phantom's life , as he lives in the Skull Cave, he wears the Skull Ring, and he is trying to find three Skulls . A purple suit renders a mask and belt and he finds himself battling his dad's nemesis (James Remar) . Meanwhile , the bad guy Xander Drax carries out his search for a weapon of doom . Phantom is helped by an attractive journalist heiress (Kristy Swanson) and travel to dangerous streets N.Y. to thwart a nasty criminal . They confront a villain named Drax (Treat Williams) , underlings (Catherine Zeta Jones as a beautiful vamp) and other allied with local power : the Mayor (Leon Russom) and Police commissioner (Al Ruscio) . Drax is a cold and megalomaniac killer who murders cruelty his victims (as the horrifying killing with microscope on his first victim calling him : Liar), he is looking for three sacred skulls of Tuganda which united create a rousing energy , originating a supernatural power ; besides , involving brotherhood Syn pirates (led by Cary Tagawa).
Film gets exotic locations , derring-do , adventures , rip-roaring , action-packed and humor with tongue-in-cheek . It's a cinematic roller coaster , pretty entertaining and with very well made action set pieces . The picture is a crossover among Lee Falk (created in 1936) comic-strip hero , Indiana Jones feats , Saturday matinée serials and old-fashioned thirties movies . Nice acting from Billy Zane and Catherine Zeta-Jones , both of whom starred in two Titanic films . The picture has great loads of action , special effects abundant and spectacular David Newman's musical score . The motion picture was rightly directed by Simon Wincer . Although Joe Dante was originally slated to direct, but left due to other commitments ; before this , Joel Schumacher was considered for the directing job . This movie was originally going to be the first of a trilogy . However , after it bombed at the box office, the two sequels were canceled . The flick will appeal to adventure fans and comic-books enthusiastic . Rating : Good and amusing . Well worth seeing.
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