Set in the 1930s, this film adaptation of Lee Falk's comic strip brings to life the purple-suited, jungle-dwelling Phantom. What the Phantom lacks in superpowers and gadgetry, he makes up for in courage and heroism.
Here, The Phantom is pitted against villainous Xander Drax, a expensive-suited criminal mastermind, who is desperately trying to acquire three skulls, each of which is located in a different part of the world. When united, the skulls give their owner magical powers. The Phantom, along with plucky displaced New Yorker Diana Palmer, set out to stop Drax -- leading to hair-raising, death-defying adventures for the brave pair.
But can they thwart the clever Drax before it's too late?
2.
Slam Evil!
Billy Zane stars as The Phantom in this thrill-a-minute actioner based on one of the most successful comic series of all time!
The story begins as an expedition lands on the island of Bengalla, seeking the legendary skulls of Touganda. Believed to harness an energy force of incalculable power, the skulls could spell disaster for mankind. And that's exactly what ruthless tycoon Xander Drax has in mind. . . Unless one man can save it.
Now evil has met its match and great movie adventure has a new name - The Phantom!
3.
This pleasant enough comic-strip adaptation features Billy Zane in purple tights and a Lone Ranger mask as a 1930s daredevil who lives in a cave, has a pet dog called Devil, and devotes himself to goodness and justice and that sort of thing. Treat Williams is a nasty millionaire out to collect the evil-plot coupons (a set of jewelled skulls) so he can send off for ultimate, world-ruling power. Zane, plus peppy heroine Kristy Swanson, is out to stop Williams by jumping from aeroplanes onto horses, grinning as he biffs scurvy minions and resisting the wiles of ludicrous lady pirate Catherine Zeta Jones. Unlike most recent comic book films, The Phantom makes no attempt at bringing its 30s-created superhero up to date: there is a lot of charming period detail and a refreshingly unneurotic, healthy hero and heroine team, but it seems a bit embalmed by its resurrection of serial-style thrills. --Kim Newman
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