Top 5 reasons the Phantom Is a Must-See Movie [OPINION]

“The Phantom” starring Billy Zane and released in 1996 is a movie I’ve watched dozens of times. There’s just something to the cheesy superhero, Indiana Jones vibe the movie gives off. Oh, did I mention it has 90s Billy Zane? Just read the International Movie Database summary of the movie. And I quote:

“The Phantom, descendant of a line of African superheroes, travels to New York City to thwart a wealthy criminal genius from obtaining three magic skulls which would give him the secret to ultimate power.”

Come on that sounds awesome right? Let’s get into the five reasons why you have to watch this ridiculous 90s flick!

NUMBER FIVE – THE SETTING

“The Phantom” takes place in the 1930s and spans from the continent of Africa to New York City. There’s just something nostalgic about the 1930-40s look in the 1990s that makes me all happy inside and the movie flexes that here. From the costumes, especially the phantom himself and all his skin-tight purple suit glory, to the cars in New York City. It all works so well together.

NUMBER FOUR – THE HENCHMEN

Why on God’s green Earth would I talk about henchmen? Maybe because Catherine Zeta-Jones is one of them! And let me tell you she’s one hell of a bad ass in this movie. She’s sick and twisted and full of cheese and I love every minute of it. Another henchman is actor James Remar who’s famous for his role in the incredible movie “The Warriors.” If for some reason you haven’t seen “The Warriors” please watch that movie. It’s very good. I’m not kidding.

NUMBER THREE – THE VILLAIN

The villain Xander Drax, yeah how about that name for a 1930s villain, played by actor Treat Williams is hell bent on world domination. He’s a good-looking guy that you just want to hate and oh man does he have murderous ways that make him evil. At one point he literally throws a spear in an office, in New York City, to kill a guy who doesn’t want in on his evil master plan. And he does it in front of others. Legit picks up a spear and throws it. He’s evil as all hell. It gets worse when he actually gets what he wants. His goal is to find the three crystal skulls and use their power for domination. He awakens an evil dude called The Great Kabai Sengh, played by Mortal Kombat actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa. Yeah Drax is so evil he awakens evil. Talk about a dick, right?

NUMBER TWO – THE CHEESE

Listen, I love a good Academy Award winning flick, but there’s just something about cheesy movies that I love. The dialogue, the over the top spear throwing villain, the purple suit and ring of power, Catherine Zeta-Jones is a henchman and oh man! “The Phantom” is one of those movies that could easily be on Rifftrax, but at the same time is so enjoyable because of how cheesy and charming it is. I mean just look at the cover picture and try and tell me the cheesiness of this movie hasn’t sold you.

NUMBER ONE – BILLY ZANE AND AMAZON PRIME

I think Billy Zane speaks for himself am I right? If for some incredible crazy reason you’ve never heard of Billy Zane, he’s the bad guy trying to marry Rose in “Titanic.” Yup, that’s the star of this movie, but, instead of being a terrible person, he’s a descendant of African superheroes. Zane has done several other films I would highly recommend such as “Sniper” and of course “Titanic”, if for some ungodly reason you haven’t seen the 11-time academy award winning blockbuster film. And lastly, you should watch “The Phantom” because it’s available right now on Amazon Prime. That’s right, no rental required which means there’s no excuse to not watch it. Granted it is slightly longer than your average film at 101 minutes, but it’s well worth it and honestly it watches “fast”. Give “The Phantom” a try and I know you’ll enjoy it for all the reasons that I do, just don’t expect to watch an 11-time Academy Award winning film ok? Enjoy the movie!