Thrilling and fun picture loosely based on Lee Falk's first stories from The Phantom comic strip , "The Singh Brotherhood" and "The Sky Band" . The story takes place in 1938/39 , just before the United States entered World War II . Our stalwart hero (Billy Zane) lives in a cave lair on the deep as well as dangerous Bengalla jungle with his wolf-dog and a servant . He discovers his destiny and 400 years old legacy when his mysterious late father (Patrick McGoohan) tells him that he must carry on his legacy as a superhero called The Panthom , the Ghost who walks , a seemingly immortal crime fighter and descendant of a line of African heroes . The Skull is a dominate symbol in The Phantom's life , as he lives in the Skull Cave, he wears the Skull Ring, and he is trying to find three Skulls . A purple suit renders a mask and belt and he finds himself battling his dad's nemesis (James Remar) . Meanwhile , the bad guy Xander Drax carries out his search for a weapon of doom . Phantom is helped by an attractive journalist heiress (Kristy Swanson) and travel to dangerous streets N.Y. to thwart a nasty criminal . They confront a villain named Drax (Treat Williams) , underlings (Catherine Zeta Jones as a beautiful vamp) and other allied with local power : the Mayor (Leon Russom) and Police commissioner (Al Ruscio) . Drax is a cold and megalomaniac killer who murders cruelty his victims (as the horrifying killing with microscope on his first victim calling him : Liar), he is looking for three sacred skulls of Tuganda which united create a rousing energy , originating a supernatural power ; besides , involving brotherhood Syn pirates (led by Cary Tagawa).
Film gets exotic locations , derring-do , adventures , rip-roaring , action-packed and humor with tongue-in-cheek . It's a cinematic roller coaster , pretty entertaining and with very well made action set pieces . The picture is a crossover among Lee Falk (created in 1936) comic-strip hero , Indiana Jones feats , Saturday matinée serials and old-fashioned thirties movies . Nice acting from Billy Zane and Catherine Zeta-Jones , both of whom starred in two Titanic films . The picture has great loads of action , special effects abundant and spectacular David Newman's musical score . The motion picture was rightly directed by Simon Wincer . Although Joe Dante was originally slated to direct, but left due to other commitments ; before this , Joel Schumacher was considered for the directing job . This movie was originally going to be the first of a trilogy . However , after it bombed at the box office, the two sequels were canceled . The flick will appeal to adventure fans and comic-books enthusiastic . Rating : Good and amusing . Well worth seeing.
Film gets exotic locations , derring-do , adventures , rip-roaring , action-packed and humor with tongue-in-cheek . It's a cinematic roller coaster , pretty entertaining and with very well made action set pieces . The picture is a crossover among Lee Falk (created in 1936) comic-strip hero , Indiana Jones feats , Saturday matinée serials and old-fashioned thirties movies . Nice acting from Billy Zane and Catherine Zeta-Jones , both of whom starred in two Titanic films . The picture has great loads of action , special effects abundant and spectacular David Newman's musical score . The motion picture was rightly directed by Simon Wincer . Although Joe Dante was originally slated to direct, but left due to other commitments ; before this , Joel Schumacher was considered for the directing job . This movie was originally going to be the first of a trilogy . However , after it bombed at the box office, the two sequels were canceled . The flick will appeal to adventure fans and comic-books enthusiastic . Rating : Good and amusing . Well worth seeing.