Phantom

RCR Distribution | Release Date: March 1, 2013

5.4	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 22 Ratings

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TVJerryMar 6, 2013

Ed Harris stars as a washed-up Russian submarine captain (is there any other kind in movies?). His final mission includes a KBG agent (David Duchovny) with diabolical plans. None of it matters because this is one of the slowest, most talkyEd Harris stars as a washed-up Russian submarine captain (is there any other kind in movies?). His final mission includes a KBG agent (David Duchovny) with diabolical plans. None of it matters because this is one of the slowest, most talky war movies ever. Since it takes place in the small confines of the sub, tension should be built-in, but the only drama is provided by obnoxious ominous music and painfully portentous dialogue. Even worse, the action is often confusing If you enjoy Cold War sub conflict, you might find it worthy. Otherwise, stay above the surface. NOTE: Look for Johnathon Schaech hiding behind a giant moustache.… Expand

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GreatMartinMar 1, 2013

The choice of new Friday movies went from “Jack The Giant Slayer”, which I was told to avoid, “21 and Over” which I didn’t have to be told to avoid, “The Last Exorcism Part 2”, and after avoiding Part 1 why would I bother? The only new movieThe choice of new Friday movies went from “Jack The Giant Slayer”, which I was told to avoid, “21 and Over” which I didn’t have to be told to avoid, “The Last Exorcism Part 2”, and after avoiding Part 1 why would I bother? The only new movie that had any interest, more because of the actors than the subject, was “Phantom”, which is based on a true story about a Russian submarine in 1968 planning to fire on a U. S. ship hoping to start World War 3 between China and the U. S. their biggest competitors. We were the only 2 people in the auditorium so it was like a private showing but that didn’t help much. It is a comparatively short movie--97 minutes--covering a lot but making it a little hard to figure out what was going on. At one point I thought one of the actors had been killed and there he was in the next scene, though in profile, and Allen had to tell me it was him. None of the actors use a Russian accent which is a blessing especially when it comes to scientific angles of what is going on. There are some flashbacks which aren’t clearly edited and neither is the ending. The director/screenwriter, Todd Robinson, isn’t exactly clear on what is happening when, or why, but most of the actors come through for him with Ed Harris doing the best job. David Duchovny seems out of place, not quite comfortable playing the KGB agent. The supporting cast is made up of many familiar faces who always give their all including William Fichter, Jason Beghe, Sean Patrick Flanery, Johnathon Schaech, Lance Henriksen and Julian Adams. They are actors that you will constantly ask yourself, “I know them but from where?” and are interesting to watch. Dagmara Dominczyk and Tessa Robinson play brief roles. In no way is “Phantom” in the same class as “Das Boots” “Run Silent, Run Deep” or “The Hunt For Red October” but I have a feeling it is a better movie than the other ones that opened today… Expand

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Mab_987Mar 4, 2013

Don't see Phantom. It's not horrible but it's dull, boring and completely lacking in memorability. Not one character or plot-point sunk in, and I found my mind wandering throughout. The acting's okay for the most part, sometimes decent andDon't see Phantom. It's not horrible but it's dull, boring and completely lacking in memorability. Not one character or plot-point sunk in, and I found my mind wandering throughout. The acting's okay for the most part, sometimes decent and stupid at others. There's a couple "so bad it's good" moments but they're short, sporadic and not worth seeing the whole thing for. The only reason why I saw it in the first place is cause it was my dad's turn to pick the movie, and because he's a veteran he goes nuts for any movie that involves the military, this being no exception. Just... don't see this. You won't be traumatized by outright badness but it's not worth spending your time and money on. 40/100… Expand

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ThegodfathersonMar 1, 2013

I was very excited to see Phantom because of Ed Harris but it seems like water adventure films do stink bad. Phantom was gripping in the middle but the pace drops at the end and then boom, The End. I like Ed Harris, but with this film he hasI was very excited to see Phantom because of Ed Harris but it seems like water adventure films do stink bad. Phantom was gripping in the middle but the pace drops at the end and then boom, The End. I like Ed Harris, but with this film he has disappointed me.… Expand

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lghulmMar 26, 2015

Thought the movie was extremely well acted, the scripting tense and tight and with a great forbidding soundtrack. Very pleasantly surprised by the film overall.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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TheWalrus2000Mar 11, 2013

Ed Harris has a bad lead performance which is unusual for him, but more importantly its badly written and just all around stupid in every way.

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AbeMCMay 25, 2017

Good performances by everyone (Duchovny and Fichtner especially), but a slow first act harms the first impression. Some odd details as well (were Soviet captains allowed this level of religion? or a senior submarine tech who has served onGood performances by everyone (Duchovny and Fichtner especially), but a slow first act harms the first impression. Some odd details as well (were Soviet captains allowed this level of religion? or a senior submarine tech who has served on subs for years... is claustrophobic?). Visually, Phantom is a close, tight viewing experience, with dials and switches littering the periphery of almost every frame. About half-way through, the conflict between Demi (Harris) and Bruni (Duchovny) comes out into the open, and things pick up in a BIG way (mutiny and submarine warfare). Well-designed tension from there to the (surprisingly poignant) ending.

Worth a watch if you're a fan of submarine movies in general, and a good film when considering the low budget it had. If you were hoping for something on the level of Hunt for Red October or Crimson Tide, though, you'll be disappointed.… Expand

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Captain_ChaosSep 27, 2018

Phantom is a fictional account of the true disappearance of the Soviet electric/diesel submarine K-129 in 1968. Officially deemed a mechanical failure, the ship's record remains sealed to the public to this day. However, there are reasonablePhantom is a fictional account of the true disappearance of the Soviet electric/diesel submarine K-129 in 1968. Officially deemed a mechanical failure, the ship's record remains sealed to the public to this day. However, there are reasonable refutations to this explanation- one theory holds that the ship might have been, intentionally or unintentionally, scuttled by its crew. Phantom presents its own take on that idea, by depicting a mutiny with potentially apocalyptic consequences by Soviet political fanatics against true patriots in their navy. It is as intense as any submarine film I have watched, and the stakes just as high. In retrospect it reminds me vaguely of Crimson Tide, though the events depicted are quite different.

The visuals of the movie are excellent. The oppressive lighting, sound and music design and even the look of combined weariness and determination on Ed Harris' face- its a good movie for watching, to be sure.

Much like the film Enemy at the Gates, amusingly also starring Ed Harris, Phantom depicts a largely Russian set of characters, but played mostly by Western, in this case mostly American, actors with no attempt to affect Russian accents. Arguably this works in its favor: the intense delivery of the dialogue might have suffered if forced through a false accent.

Popular response to this film seems to be fairly negative, but I can't imagine why. It's a good movie in its own right, even if some kind of documentary about what happened to the real ship might have been more interesting.… Expand

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freebiesindiaMay 6, 2017

Thought the movie was extremely well acted, the scripting tense and tight and with a great forbidding soundtrack. Very pleasantly surprised by the film overall.
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