LEEE777 Reviews: Syfy's The Phantom TV Movie

LEEE777 Reviews: Syfy's The Phantom TV Movie

Syfy's The Phantom is here, that premiered last night in the States, and as no one seems to be reviewing it, I thought I'd step up. Small Spoilers enclosed...

Review Opinion
By LEEE777 - Jun 20, 2010 04:06 PM EST
Filed Under: The Phantom
Ryan Carnes stars as Kit Walker; The Phantom and the new story of this version of The Phantom sees law student Kit learning that he was adopted, and that he is actually the son of the 21st Phantom and Diana Palmer Walker. Kit joins the Phantom team in the jungles of Bengalla, and is trained in martial arts and combat skills, emerging as the next Phantom to battle the Singh Brotherhood and save the only man who can bring peace to the Middle East. The updated 22nd Phantom wears a modified costume that is impervous to bullets, blades and even falls, it also doubles his strength and can make him move more faster than normal. Okay where to start, I've always liked The Phantom since i can remember, first the comics, but also the two cartoon series called Defenders of the Earth & Phantom 2040, good but not great as I've never really been into those future set shows, well apart from the now classic Batman Beyond animated show which just worked so perfectly! I think really that the Billy Zane movie called also The Phantom blew me away the most, they just brought the character from the printed page to the big screen so well, just like Hollywood did with The Rocketeer too! I wasn't expecting that much from this TV movie, which is basically a four-hour mini-series which airs back-to-back tonight at 7pm Syfy by the way. Well anyways, wasn't expecting much and it didn't disappoint but it wasn't as bad as everyone thinks it is, lets just say if you have a few hours spare just sit down and give it a watch. When the first pictures and trailer came out, many people were a bit hesitant, well hated it. Just basically didn't like the costume, which didn't look very good or for that matter very flattering, i do agree. I still think it looks a poor mans Phantom and its a bit Extreme Sports slash Robocop slash Power Ranger. I mean why change what isn't broke for that? If it was to improve the costume they totally failed, it just wasn't and isn't The Phantom. Every generation's first born son is Kit Walker funny enough, so thats why the same name and they take on the mantle of The Phantom, who's "The Ghost Who Walks." Anyway, the good news is Ryan Carnes is quite a good actor and you do enjoy him in the role, a tad bit small to play the superhero when he's in costume, but you get over that. At the start he doesn't know he's Kit Walker as he was given the name Chris Moore, and can't remember much of his childhood because of an accident that took his birth mother. I wont go into detail as don't want to spoil it all for those who are going to watch this Syfy event. Theres some great scenes of him jumping about on roof tops and stuff with his longtime friend, as the character is into the sport of parkour, which is perfect for when he dons the purple suit for fighting crime, yeah must be in the Walker genes.
The villains are a bit over the top and comic bookie, but then again it is based on a comic book. Well the acting isn't that bad from anyone in the whole cast and this does surpass most Syfy movies I've recently seen, just watch the Phantom Racer and you'll know what I mean. Talking other characters, of course like nearly always theres a love interest and thats Renny Davidson, played by actress Cameron Goodman. Who's the daughter of a police sergeant by the way and plays a medic. Kit Walkers (though still Chris Moore at the time) life turns upside down when he meets a mentor who worked with his father Abel Vandermaark, played by Jean Marchand. Lets just say things don't go to well for Chris/Kits parents and after that Vandermaark takes him to Bengalia, where he meets the loyal Guran and a whole secret team that trains him to be the best for the next Phantom, and of course with that darn extreme sports protective Phantom suit, as lets just say he wasn't too impressed with the original costume when they showed it to him, which is the main reason we get the new one, oh and maybe for the ratings lol, seriously Syfy? The story is a little long winded in some parts, but you have to remember this was originally shown in Canada as a two-part mini series and it does have that action packed from start to finish feel to it. I do have issues with the skull cave entrance in Bengalia, it just looked like a small side entrance than the epic one we saw in the Zane movie. Anyway lets just say The Phantom rights the wrongs (as always) and the good thing is Syfy doesn't numb down the violence or anything, keeps it real and not just comic bookie like in certain big budget movies previously released. I can see this going to a series as its much more enjoyable than some long running series out there right now. Though saying that and if it does get the ratings and goes series, it has to get the original costume back because basically you cringe every time you see this new one on screen. The movie did do its job and entertain as a superhero TV movie but in some parts it fails to have the feel of The Phantom, mainly its down to the stupid rebooted suped-up suit, but like I said they can work around that. Just give it a chance, leave your brain for a while and it might surprise you, you might enjoy it.
LEEE777 - I give this movie/mini series a two skulls rings out of five. Like i said, its mainly down to the stupid suit, change that and we might have a winner if it ever does makes series of course, fingers crossed!



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LEEE777
LEEE777 - 6/20/2010, 4:33 PM
By the way, if you missed it, I'm sure you'll be able to buy it already on AMAMZON.com? An it'll probably be repeated on SYFY of course, look out for it! ; )
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 6/20/2010, 6:06 PM
Good review Lee, but I doubt I'll check thsi out. 2 out of 5 is enough on top of ho wbad I already thought it looked.

By the way, that Billy ZAne Phantom movie was garbage:)
flames809
flames809 - 6/20/2010, 7:41 PM
ima watch it to see if it enjoyable as u said
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 6/21/2010, 1:23 AM
ROR @ Cheers man, damn you didn't like ZANE movie??

Well i suppose everyone has different tastes (different strokes for different folks lol), i kinda thought they hit the nail on the head near perfectly with that one, much like the ROCKETEER, did ya like that? Love me ROCKETEER!!!

Yeah i kinda wished they stayed in the past with this PHANTOM, if they was gonna modernize it, they shouldn't of messed with the costume, that was the main beef with this.

FLAMES @ Cool buddy, cheers for checking it out!

TEA @ LMAO, heyyy i gotta watch Dirty Toy Story 1 yet! : P
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 6/21/2010, 5:14 AM
TEA @ Lol, ROCKETEER's campy too, still PHANTOM was no way near BATMAN & ROBIN campy, you gotta give it that heh heh!

I kinda liked the Indiana Jones feel to it myself! : D

Cool @ GRIF lol, and hope you had a great FATHERS DAY dude! :)
Hawksblueyes
Hawksblueyes - 6/21/2010, 5:53 AM
Well, I hate to go against the grain, (well actually I kinda like it) but I watched this show expecting nothing from it. While I wouldn't say it was great, I have to agree with LEEE and say it's certainly worth watching.

Even as strange as his new suite appears, they made it sound believable as to why it looked the way it did.

Again, it's not a classic but certainly has entertainment value.

Nice reveiw LEEE. ;)
mpdcop
mpdcop - 6/21/2010, 7:05 AM
I watched the last half of the show. It was not too bad. I didn't mind the suit, but the mask had to go
Nice review
flames809
flames809 - 6/21/2010, 9:31 AM
lee- the show is good wow you actually kinda care for the phantom. the show is not bad at all. and i like the changes they made to it cuz it makes sense. i give it a 4/5. but the mask they have to change y not cover his whole face and make the mask like look like a skull.
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 6/21/2010, 9:38 AM
Cheers @ HAWKS man! : )

yeah IF it ever does go series, i hope they sort the costume out! : P

Mpdcop @ Agreed, the mask totally sucked lol and thanx dude!

FLAMES @ Glad you liked it buddy, yeah i do care about the PHANTOM man, it had real good entertaiment value, yeah he would be much better with a full mask, it was mainly the mask that spoilt it for me, but i also enjoyed it, they change that and we've got something really good! The guy was quite a good actor too, he sold me!

ANIL @ lol!
jman1977
jman1977 - 6/21/2010, 9:42 AM
Nice Review Lee, keep em coming :P
flames809
flames809 - 6/21/2010, 9:45 AM
lee- and the villain is a bad-ass i like that villain. how he kills ppl if they dnt agree with him.
ThaMessenger07
ThaMessenger07 - 6/21/2010, 10:19 AM
I got to see it and honestly enjoyed it. The costume definitely need to be re-visioned. Like the classic just throw away the undies over the tights. The Parkour was very good for a T.V series though.
secretasianboy
secretasianboy - 6/21/2010, 10:33 AM
nice review
i won't watcj ot
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 6/21/2010, 10:35 AM
Rocketeer is in a diff league to The Phantom. I didn't love that either, but its a very enjoyable, well made film. Phantom is drivel. The cartoon nailed it, and the futuristic one was outright class!
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 6/21/2010, 10:35 AM
Cheers @ JMAN, appreciate that dude!!! ; D

Nahhh, i'll let you guys do the reviews lol, just done this one coz i knew no one else would've! ; P

Heh heh.

Yeah FLAMES @ The villain was real mean, how a villain's supposed to be!

Glad Syfy didn't tone it down!

ThaMessenger07 @ Yeah man, totally agree, fingers crossed we get that series!
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 6/21/2010, 10:39 AM
Asian @ Lol! : D

ROR @ Gotta disagee with you about the cartoon lol, it wasn't really LEE FALK's PHANTOM at all, either of 'em, tho i do agree they was enjoyable! : P

I like your new avatar/icon btw, pretty cool!!

Hey that reminds me, theres a new PHANTOM comic out i gotta get, at least issue one anyways.

Blackreverend
Blackreverend - 6/21/2010, 11:46 AM
good review Lee777...

I thought it was very good considering the quality of other movies from the same source. I would have given it a 3 out of 5. It's definitely worth watching but you have to be a CBM fan to enjoy it. The acting was pretty decent, the parkour was amazing and the love factor is there. I honestly would like to see a series come out of this but gotta kill that suit first.
travisto83
travisto83 - 6/21/2010, 12:04 PM
Damn it i missed it! I was really looknig forward to this. Billy Zane was the shit in the 90's movie!
I've been a huge fan of the since i could first read the the comic strips in the paper.
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 6/21/2010, 12:08 PM
Blackreverend @ Cheers man!!! Yeah 3 out of 5 sounds cool, man it was just the costume that spoilt my viewing, everything else was great! Hellz yeah to a series, thaks for commenting dude!

travisto83 @ You got that right man! Zane movie was tha sh1t!! TRAV dude, I'm sure you can catch this again on a repeat showing, or even online if not!
Ranger14
Ranger14 - 6/21/2010, 12:18 PM
Lee@ So, I am trying to figure this out. If the suit would have been spot on, then you would have given it a 3 out of 5? It sounds like your only real issue with the show was the suit. From what I understand the suit is going to be changed some or there are reasons it was designed the way it was and that will be explained in future episodes. Not sure if I heard that correctly on another article, but I guess I wouldn't deduct 3 stars simply based on a suit if the rest of it is solid.
docnoc
docnoc - 6/21/2010, 12:24 PM
I hated the fact they insulted the original costume, someone hit the writer with a skull ring NOW! Screw this!
superdog
superdog - 6/21/2010, 12:31 PM
great review leee777. you should definately do more of them. this movie doesnt look that great but if im at home doing nothing one night and its on ill check it out. but wont waste any DVR space or anything.
travisto83
travisto83 - 6/21/2010, 12:33 PM
LEEE777@ thanks man. I dont care what people say about ya.
HelaGood
HelaGood - 6/21/2010, 12:53 PM
great review LEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! i myself cannot get passed the suit so i will not even attempt to watch this one.
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 6/21/2010, 1:03 PM
Ranger @ LOL, I wouldn't say solid, but it was a good TV movie but the costume just took away THE PHANTOM for me, everytime he wore it! Also i did say its a lil long winded in places an some of the acting a little over the top and hey i don't do reviews, go easy lol! : P

As for future episodes, there isn't any at the moment, gotta wait and see if they got enough viewers and interest i suppose? Cheers for your comment man!

DOG @ Cheers dude, appreciate that and cool lol, yeah best time to watch it, is when you have [frick] all to do and are bored, maybe break open a few beers too heh heh.

TRAV @ Haha, thanx man!!! ; D

Cool Swamp Thing avatar by the way dude!

Thanks @ HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLA!!! : P

Cheers and oh okay, say if we get a better costume if it makes a series, will you watch it then?!

Joe6Pack74
Joe6Pack74 - 6/21/2010, 1:07 PM
Nice review LEEE777, now I know what happened in the second half. I could not make it through the entire movie. The red head was a high note for me.
deadpool87
deadpool87 - 6/21/2010, 1:08 PM
LEEE777, are u [frick]ing nuts?! The original costume was ridiculous, for christs sake a bright purple spandex suit for a guy who originally operated in the jungle? Of they changed it for ratings, b/c anyone who wasn't a fan of the comics was going to think RIDICULOUS.

The only part of the new costume they screwed up was the head gear, and maybe lighten the purple a few shades so that it's apparent but still stealthy at night.
UncleDrew
UncleDrew - 6/21/2010, 1:09 PM
I didn't really like this movie. The acting was average at most, the suit looked like a paintball outfit that a monkey put together, and the villains sucked.
deadpool87
deadpool87 - 6/21/2010, 1:09 PM
LEEE777, are u [frick]ing nuts?! The original costume was ridiculous, for christs sake a bright purple spandex suit for a guy who originally operated in the jungle? Of they changed it for ratings, b/c anyone who wasn't a fan of the comics was going to think RIDICULOUS.

The only part of the new costume they screwed up was the head gear, and maybe lighten the purple a few shades so that it's apparent but still stealthy at night.
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 6/21/2010, 1:19 PM
DEADPOOL @ You said that twice lol! : D

Agreed, if they used better head gear, more PHANTOM, i deff would've enjoyed it a lot more, btw i don't mean use the costume from back in the day lol, but they could've kept it looking a little like the PHANTOM and not a extreme sports Power Ranger. MARVEL comics did a modern take in comic book form of THE PHANTOM, bit Batman slash MATRIXish, but it was really cool!

Avenger @ Lol, yeah Paintball outfit, i think half of it actually was... monkey put together, lmao, i like that! : D

Number21 @ Cool dude, cheers heh heh! ; P
gestlmutant
gestlmutant - 6/21/2010, 4:04 PM
I watched this last night and actually enjoyed it more than the Zane movie! sure the suit was a little cheesey but the appearance fitted the suit's main functions.

Most of all I enjoyed the way the series delved into the history of the phantom. I also thought the action was very good (especially for a syfy movie)
RustyNail
RustyNail - 6/21/2010, 6:55 PM
This was a very good movie! It does actually show the original suit! He just upgrades.If your a phantom fan id say watch this movie.
Bartman87
Bartman87 - 6/21/2010, 8:47 PM
I watched it and while the suit could be a little tweaked in my opinion it's worth a viewing
Orehrepus
Orehrepus - 6/22/2010, 12:52 AM
I don't know where I could catch a syfy movie where I am. I hope it will go into some channel I subscribe on my cable.

Actually, seeing the first pics, I was about to pass on this. It looked crappy, the guy looked scrawny and faggy (and he played as a gay at one time, was he?) and he begged for people to watch the show and... NO Billy Zane!

But after your review, Leee, I'll probably give it a chance, if it comes my way. But only because of your review, Leee. Seeing that you complain about EVERY little thing, a praise from you would mean a lot. LOL!

Nice one :P
lc
lc - 6/22/2010, 5:20 AM
well done babe as ever xxx
KeithM
KeithM - 6/22/2010, 6:08 AM
"Just give it a chance, leave your brain for a while and it might surprise you, you might enjoy it. "

Good review Leee, but if it's that dumb, then try as I might, I doubt I'd be able to enjoy it.

Like I said though, the review itself was pretty good - tells us enough to judge whether it might appeal to us, even taking into account your own personal *ahem* taste. :)

You should definitely do more. :thup:
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 6/22/2010, 7:41 AM
gestlmutant @ I'm glad you liked it dude kudos, but gest... no way in hell does in touch the ZANE movie... ever! ; P

RUSTY @ Yeah and thanks man! :)

BARTMAN @ Exactly dude, cheers!

Orehrepus @ Cheers man, heh heh, hey I'm sure its online if ya wanna check it out and thanx for the comment, don't come hunting for me if you don't like it tho lol! ; P

Lc @ Cheers lc xxx, but um you didn't want to watch it lol! ; D

Does that mean i can put the DVD on sometime again? Heh heh.

Keith @ Cheers buddy, hey don't blame me for hating on Toy Story lol, just not my thing, tho I'll probably watch it whens its on TV lol! Well unless your on about GI JOE, and truefully I'm up for a sequel, but if they pull the same sh1t they did with the first one I'm gonna h8 the sucker and bag it so much, only ever liked the SNAKE EYES and STORM SHADOW stuff, oh and also SCARLETT!

The rest really did suck! : D

Glad you liked the review man, yeah it is a lil dumb, so if you ever do watch it, do it if your really bored and have nothing on or to do lol!

Cheers for ya comment and thanx, I'll think about it, was pretty cool when doing the review, appreciate that!
lc
lc - 6/22/2010, 9:30 AM
no i didnt want to watch it
i wanted to [frick] you lol!!
damn come on man you could
watch that when am not in the
house lol,and didnt i watch it
after all lol
niknik
niknik - 6/22/2010, 10:21 AM
I just couldn't get myself to watch it. I just can't get past that awful costume. That has to be the absolute worst I believe I have ever seen, especially when you compare what it is supposed to be coming from with the original. No matter what they said or did in any scene I would just be totally distracted by that piece of crap costume.

Reminds me of one of the old earth soldiers Q had at the trial in the farpoint episode of STTNG.
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 6/22/2010, 2:33 PM
lc @ ; D

niknik @ I feel for ya lol, me too, it is a horrible costume, agreed, but like some have said, if they just changed the head piece, we could have something that looks like the PHANTOM! Still if you get past the costume, it is quite good! :)
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