In many ways, "The Phantom" is a neat sort of action picture. Like "Raiders of the Lost Ark", it is a glossy, big-budget modern take on an old movie serial of the 1940s. However, despite the good, it also suffers from one god-awful plot device...the 'plucky lady'. When she is introduced, I immediately rolled my eyes with the incredibly stupid things the screenwriters had her say to prove she was a tough feminist....and in the process made her sound like a jerk (at best). A few examples of the really dumb things she says:
After the plane she is in is shot down, she says to the leader of the baddies...."Do you know how many laws you have broken?"
After the Phantom saves her from certain death...."Not so fast! Why should I go with you?!"
After being held prisoner and threatened with death, she says...."Thanks...you've done a good job. I can take it from here."
After countless shootouts and tons of evil done by Drax and his second in command, the plucky lady says..."What's wrong with you.....why are you so mean?!"
Additionally, because she's a walking, talking inane stereotype, this lady is not about to say thank you or behave like a normal person. Nope...she's always mouthy and tough...even when it makes no sense whatsoever.
As for the plot, the evil Sengh Brotherhood is bent on world domination and badness. Its leader, Drax (Treat Williams), is very smooth and handsome....and a cold murderer. He also will do ANYTHING to obtain all four of the precious silver skulls created by some ancient race...and imbued with amazing powers. So, it's up to the Phantom to destroy Drax and the Brotherhood in order to prevent them from taking over the world.
The film, apart from the 'plucky lady', is pretty much a Saturday morning adventure picture....not bad at all but definitely very superficial and with a strong emphasis on action and stunts...a few of which are insanely impossible. Not bad, not good....just a film where you turn off your brain and enjoy the adventure. So sad that the lady is a major annoyance and much like similar stereotypical but completely unreal women you'll find in "Sky Captain" and "Van Helsing".
After the plane she is in is shot down, she says to the leader of the baddies...."Do you know how many laws you have broken?"
After the Phantom saves her from certain death...."Not so fast! Why should I go with you?!"
After being held prisoner and threatened with death, she says...."Thanks...you've done a good job. I can take it from here."
After countless shootouts and tons of evil done by Drax and his second in command, the plucky lady says..."What's wrong with you.....why are you so mean?!"
Additionally, because she's a walking, talking inane stereotype, this lady is not about to say thank you or behave like a normal person. Nope...she's always mouthy and tough...even when it makes no sense whatsoever.
As for the plot, the evil Sengh Brotherhood is bent on world domination and badness. Its leader, Drax (Treat Williams), is very smooth and handsome....and a cold murderer. He also will do ANYTHING to obtain all four of the precious silver skulls created by some ancient race...and imbued with amazing powers. So, it's up to the Phantom to destroy Drax and the Brotherhood in order to prevent them from taking over the world.
The film, apart from the 'plucky lady', is pretty much a Saturday morning adventure picture....not bad at all but definitely very superficial and with a strong emphasis on action and stunts...a few of which are insanely impossible. Not bad, not good....just a film where you turn off your brain and enjoy the adventure. So sad that the lady is a major annoyance and much like similar stereotypical but completely unreal women you'll find in "Sky Captain" and "Van Helsing".