A Fun Romp, as the Kids Say
The Phantom (Billy Zane), descendant of a line of African heroes, travels to New York to thwart a criminal genius (Treat Williams).
A great cast, lead by Billy Zane, with Joe Dante producing (and almost directing). Could Bruce Campbell in the lead have made this film better? Hard to say. (I love Zane, but I have to admit he mumbles quite a bit through this film.)
What I find most striking about this movie is that it has received a terrible reputation on IMDb (ranking below 5 of 10 stars), but managed to pull a 3.5 of 4 stars from Roger Ebert. Wow. Has Ebert ever been more off the mark from the common viewer? I, for one, liked it and found it a visually appealing adventure film. I especially appreciate the setting of 1930s New York, a wonderful backdrop for a crime story. I must confess I never read the comic strip, so the accuracy is something I cannot attest to. But I would have gladly welcomed a sequel, rather than have Zane go on to make "Titanic".
A great cast, lead by Billy Zane, with Joe Dante producing (and almost directing). Could Bruce Campbell in the lead have made this film better? Hard to say. (I love Zane, but I have to admit he mumbles quite a bit through this film.)
What I find most striking about this movie is that it has received a terrible reputation on IMDb (ranking below 5 of 10 stars), but managed to pull a 3.5 of 4 stars from Roger Ebert. Wow. Has Ebert ever been more off the mark from the common viewer? I, for one, liked it and found it a visually appealing adventure film. I especially appreciate the setting of 1930s New York, a wonderful backdrop for a crime story. I must confess I never read the comic strip, so the accuracy is something I cannot attest to. But I would have gladly welcomed a sequel, rather than have Zane go on to make "Titanic".
- gavin6942
- 2 may 2012