A Comic Book Film Without the Noise

Read Time:6 Minute, 39 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Phantom (4KUHD)
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Genre: Adventure, Action, Comedy, Fantasy
Year Released: 1996, Kino Lorber 4K 2026
Runtime: 1h 40m
Director(s): Simon Wincer
Writer(s): Jeffrey Boam, Lee Falk
Cast: Billy Zane, Kristy Swanson, Treat Williams, Catherine Zeta-Jones, James Remar, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Patrick McGoohan
Where to Watch: available now, order your copy here: www.kinolorber.com or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: There will be people who get mad at this review, call it nostalgia, or call it just a love for the story, but there’s a kind of confidence here that feels almost out of step with how these films are made now. Not louder, not bigger, not trying to prove anything beyond the story it wants to tell. THE PHANTOM understands its own identity from the start, and that clarity becomes its biggest strength. It doesn’t chase relevance or try to modernize itself into something else. It plants its flag firmly in pulp adventure and lets everything grow from there. That decision shapes the entire experience.

Instead of building toward a grand reinvention of the character, the film treats the mythology as something already established. There’s no heavy reliance on the origin setup, no extended justification for why this world exists the way it does. The Phantom's legacy is presented as fact, and the film trusts the audience to accept it. That trust pays off because it allows the story to move forward without getting stuck explaining itself.

Billy Zane is the reason that approach works as well as it does. There’s a natural fit between actor and role that never feels forced. He doesn’t try to make the character darker or more complicated than necessary. Instead, he leans into the straightforward heroism, delivering it with a mix of confidence and humor that keeps things grounded. There’s a physical presence there that sells the action, but it’s the attitude that sticks. He understands that the character doesn’t need to be redefined to be effective. What stands out most is how relaxed the performance feels. Zane isn’t pushing for intensity in every moment, and that restraint gives the character room to breathe. When the film shifts into action, he’s believable. When it slows down, he’s still engaging. That balance is harder to pull off than it looks, especially in a role that could easily slip into parody.

The film’s tone follows that same line. It doesn’t shy away from its more exaggerated elements, but it also doesn’t treat them like a joke. There’s a steady hand guiding everything, keeping it just grounded enough to avoid tipping into self-awareness. That’s where a lot of similar films from the era either succeed or fall apart, and here it lands on the right side of that line more often than not.

Treat Williams, on the other hand, goes in the opposite direction, and it works because the film makes space for it. His performance as Xander Drax is big, theatrical, and committed to the kind of villainy that doesn’t need to be subtle. He’s clearly having fun, but it never feels disconnected from the tone of the film. Instead, it adds energy that keeps the story from settling into predictability.

Catherine Zeta-Jones brings a different kind of presence, one that adds texture rather than volume. There’s a confidence in how she moves through the film, even when the material doesn’t always give her as much to do as it should. It’s one of those early performances where you can see the potential already there, even if the role itself is somewhat limited.

Where THE PHANTOM really finds its identity is in how it builds its world. The combination of jungle settings, period design, and practical action sequences creates a sense of place that feels tangible. There’s an emphasis on movement, on characters interacting with their environment in ways that don’t rely on shortcuts. It gives the film a physicality that holds up, even when some of the more ambitious elements show their age. The pacing is also more deliberate than expected, but in a way that benefits the overall flow. It doesn’t rush from set piece to set piece. Instead, it allows moments to settle, giving the characters space to interact without everything escalating immediately.

The narrative itself is fairly straightforward, and while that simplicity is part of its appeal, it also makes certain aspects feel predictable. The stakes are clear, the goals are defined, and the progression follows a familiar path. The film doesn’t necessarily try to surprise the audience, which can make some of its turns feel more functional than engaging. There’s also a sense that some of the supporting characters could have been pushed further. The film introduces a range of personalities, but not all of them are given the space to leave a lasting impression. They serve the story well enough, but there’s an opportunity for more distinct voices that's never realized. It’s hard to ignore how well the film holds together as a complete piece. It knows its tone, sticks to it, and avoids the kind of overcomplication that can weigh down similar projects. It doesn’t try to elevate itself into something more serious or more modern. It embraces its roots, leans into its strengths, and delivers an experience that feels cohesive from start to finish.

It’s the kind of film that reminds you how effective simplicity can be when it’s handled with care. Not every moment is 100%, and not every element reaches its full potential, but the foundation is strong enough to carry the entire experience. In a landscape where these kinds of stories are often pushed to extremes, something is refreshing about a film that knows when to hold back.

Product Extras:
DISC 1 (4KUHD):
Brand New HDR/Dolby Vision Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative (Approved by Director Simon Wincer)
NEW Audio Commentary by Director Simon Wincer, Moderated by Filmmaker Douglas Hosdale
5.1 Surround and Lossless 2.0 Audio
Triple-Layered UHD100 Disc
Optional English Subtitles

DISC 2 (BLU-RAY):
Brand New HD Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative
NEW Audio Commentary by Director Simon Wincer, Moderated by Filmmaker Douglas Hosdale
Kismet in the Jungle: NEW Interview with Star Billy Zane (27:06)
Slam Evil – Scoring The Phantom: NEW Interview with Composer David Newman (14:48)
Theatrical Trailer
5.1 Surround and Lossless 2.0 Audio
Dual-Layered BD50 Disc
Optional English Subtitles

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[photo courtesy of KINO LORBER]

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