PHANTOM MOVIE REVIEW

Just a few weeks after notching up a massive success in the form of Bajrangi Bhaijaan, director Kabir Khan is back with his next release, the Saif Ali Khan - Katrina Kaif starrer Phantom. The director sticks to his preferred anti-terrorism space and he has already showed his adeptness in handling such films through his earlier superhits, New York and Ek Tha Tiger. Phantom is more uncompromising and unwavering in its anti-terrorism approach compared to the other two, and will turn out as a definite treat for action buffs.

 

The film is basically about the weeding out of the Lashkar-E-Taiba masterminds behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks (A story you wish were true, as the poster says). A small group of Indian agents choose an almost non-existent, tainted ex-Indian army man named Daniyal Khan (nicknamed Phantom) for this vigilante mission. Daniyal does this for the pride and respect associated with being an army man.

 

Katrina Kaif also tags along with Saif from country to country, in a professional capacity, as he goes about his action-packed missions. The film is high on technical finesse and production value as it traverses many nations and locations. Good work by DoP Aseem Mishra and also the action team as there are many types of chase sequences which have been shot with distinction.

 

The background score by Julius Packiam just has to add to the tension and grip in the proceedings and it does that, just fine. The place for Pritam's songs is minimal as the director hasn't compromised on song sequences, which stick out from the core plot. Phantom is definitely minimal on mainstream mass elements, save the finale when it turns patriotic and mildly manipulative.

 

Coming to the performers, the handsome Saif is earnest throughout, while the graceful Katrina Kaif showcases her brand of effortless, sophisticated performance again. There is a subtle romance which blooms between the two towards the end, and Katrina emotes well in these segments. Zeeshan Ayyub, as the mastermind behind this 'Phantom' mission, proves his caliber again as a good actor. There are a lot of other characters playing the Indian / Pakistani agents and the extremists.

 

Kabir Khan's screenplay is such, that there is always some movement in the story. There are many parallel occurrences, and the extended 2nd half segment in Pakistan is among the high points in the script, along with the one in the Chicago jail. Kabir has treated his film like an English espionage thriller, sprinkled with some Indian drama and sentiments.

 

Phantom does have its moments where you have to suspend some disbelief as there is a lot happening, mostly in the protagonist's favor. He keeps maneuvering without much fuss and is almost invincible, like how our heroes generally are, almost till the finish line !