50
Essentially, this is RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK without the narrative savvy and self-referential cleverness.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
63
ReelViews by James Berardinelli
Although The Phantom is more often enjoyable than not, it lacks that special characteristic necessary to provide it with a unique identity. Arriving in the midst of so many "can't miss" offerings, I expect it to sink like a rock, moving quickly to "dollar theaters" then to video. I'd like to be able to champion this film, but the truth is that I'm tiring of the genre as a whole, and, while The Phantom opts for a different tone than most of its brethren, it's still not an especially memorable motion picture. This is the kind of movie that offers modest entertainment while you're in the theater, but is forgotten by the time you get home.
60
Despite the pleasant feel and fun performance from Zane there's something missing from this superhero adventure.
50
The New York Times by Lawrence Van Gelder
The pleasures are familiar, but not the least bit inspired.
67
Austin Chronicle by Marc Savlov
The Nintendo generation may not “get” The Phantom any more than those original Thirties fans would have understood Bruce Wayne's tortured psyche, but that aside, Wincer's updating of an old warhorse is lovingly done. It's a Saturday afternoon matinee for the Nineties, 60 years old and totally new.
50
San Francisco Chronicle by Mick LaSalle
Without peril, The Phantom can only get by on dazzle, and there's not quite enough of that to hold interest -- unless you're 8 years old and seeing dazzle for the first time.
88
Chicago Sun-Times by Roger Ebert
The movie is wonderfully entertaining, red-blooded and rousing, and with a production design that makes it uncommonly handsome.
38
San Francisco Examiner by Walter Addiego
The Phantom is a spiritless affair likely to vanish quickly from first-run screens.