“The Phantom” — Parts 1 and 2
Starring: Ryan Carnes, Cameron Goodman, Isabella Rossellini
Airdates: Sunday, June 20th, 7 p.m. EST
SyFy’s Latest Backdoor Pilot Works Better Once the Early Heavy Lifting Is Done
Throughout its history, SyFy has tried to revitalize or rebuild a number of genre franchises with varying degrees of success. Battlestar Galactica was a home run, while their two attempts to build a series around Philip Jose Farmer’s Riverworld books have left a lot to be desired.
Falling somewhere in the middle of that pack is their latest revival attempt, the two-part, four-hour miniseries The Phantom.
Set in modern day, the mini-series is the origin story for the latest incarnation of the Phantom, played by Ryan Carnes. Orphaned when his mother is killed in a car accident, Chris Moore is the latest descend of Kit Walker, whose duty is to take on the role of the Phantom. As things begins, Moore is unaware of his heritage or destiny, but is instead a law student getting ready to graduate. He’s also met a great new girl, Renee Davidson who’s a paramedic and who’s father is a police officer.
When his adopted parents are killed, Moore learns his calling and is taken to the jungles of Bengalla to train for his role as the twenty-second Phantom. Meanwhile, Renee is curious about why he vanished so quickly and she and her police officer father began to look into things.
As if that weren’t enough, the Singh Brotherhood is out to destroy the Phantom and undermine the process of world peace by use of a new hypnotic effect that creates assassins using messages sent via cable boxes.
As an extended pilot for a possible series, The Phantom has its moments, mostly in the second half once the heavy lifting of introducing audiences to the world and mythology of the Phantom is done. Interestingly, the series quickly discards the classic looks Phantom costume for a newer, more modern look that has a lot more bells and whistles. It’s an interesting look, but given how iconic and associated with the character the original purple costume is, it can be a bit disconcerting at first.
The mini-series also serves to introduce some minor character arcs that could be picked up should the show go to series. Jean Marchand’s work as mentor Abel Vandermaark is a highlight of the first part of the mini-series but the character rapidly becomes less and less interesting as the story moves forward. For much of the middle portion of the series, it feels like Vandermaark is there to spout reminders to Chris of his destiny and to remind him of the long history of the Phantom.
However, there is enough potential for a solid series here should SyFy choose to follow-up on it. The Phantom is one of several projects the network picked up as a potential back-door pilot. The Phantom works far better than the regrettable second attempt at a RiverWorld series earlier this year, but the fact that SyFy is burning off all four hours on Father’s Day may mean there isn’t much hope we’ll be revisiting the universe and this cast any time soon.
I guess they have to make time for wrestling somehow….
Dave in NY says
That’s disappointing. I was hoping for another great comic series.
I actually like Flash Gordon.
Sean From Edwards says
I;m actually looking forward to this, and if the pilot miniseries is any good would like to see a series. Crazy as it sounds I actually liked the Billy Zane Phantom movie.
Jason the TVaholic says
It has a weak start, but gets pretty good right up until the end of the first two hours. The second two hours is okay with a couple of things that really bothered me. Overall, unless it were to do amazing ratings on Father’s Day, we won’t be seeing anymore of this version past then.
Bronzethumb (from Australia) says
I really like the Billy Zane movie too. It was fun.
“My name is Xander Drax!”
“…who?”
“*sigh* X A N, D E R, D R A X. Xander Drax. Begins and ends with the letter X.”
BlindGeek says
Yeah, I recently picked up that movie on Blu-Ray. Love it! It’s what introduced me to “The Phantom,” and I’ve been a fan ever since. Being blind, I can’t read the comic strip, but I have tracked down Phantom novels, anthologies and an old movie serial–I think from 1948. Great stuff, and I’m looking forward to this incarnation.
lucinda says
we have been watching the episodes and its disappointing if they do not make a series out of it. my hole family enjoyed it
Betty A says
I loved the Phantom. We watched Part 1 and are searching for part 2 to finish the mini-series. If there is going to be a regular series of the Phantom I want the time and place to schedule it on my to be watched calendar.
Dr Who is not so much my thing. Warehouse 13 is C to D-. Ok when there is nothing else. Can’t wait for Sanctuary to have some new shows. Please tell me there will be no more seasons of Ghost Hunters. I have never been able to sit through more than 3 minutes of that.
All and all this Sifi fan is finding the pickings rather ho-hum.
Frank says
Oh dear, Ghost Hunters… Thats one show that gets me bored pretty fast (in like 15 seconds). Its like a very long infomercial about some lame product.
The Phantom, on the other hand, was pretty good. Yup it has its weak points, but it would be very cool if they continued with the series.