The Science Fiction Gallery - The Phantom

Not bad. The comic book story is so interesting that it is hard to imagine it not working on the big screen. The movie is pretty typical comic book fair, with the girl falling in love with an old semi-flame from her past, the guy turning out to have a REAL secret in his recent past, a secret that should be a little too much for most girls, but not our heroine.

Now there is one nearly cameo appearance that gave us a prick of doubt. Patrick Mcgoohan, the erstwhile Prisoner shows up as the previous incarnation of the Phantom (the role of phantom is passed on from father to son), and the current Phantom talks to him alot in this movie, making him good material for the looney bin. Fortunately this is comic book hero time, and both actors seem to take it in stride, not letting us down for a minute.

All in all the film is pretty action filled, with only just a few moments to sit and think about it. One strange action scene is a pontoon plane flying above the plains on the Phantom's stomping ground, and she gets to jump down to him on the horse. Very strange...like who's flying?!!! And of course he can catch her in mid air, in his arms, no less. Guess Indiana Jones was nothing compared to this guy...we'd like to see some hero drop the girl once, she doesn't have to get injured, just dust everyone's pride a little.

Anyway it was a good film, and the photography is pretty enough to make us want to go get it on laser.

scifi@mcint.com
Last Updated: June, 1997