Films like Madras Cafe, BABY, The Attacks Of 26/11 and D-Day experimented with the subject of political thriller. Phantom had right intention in place but wafer-thin screenplay and lack of common sense swags away the film.
A suspended army officer (played by Saif Ali Khan) is hired to assassinate the Lakshar-e-toiba commanders to seek justice for 26/11 victims and redeem his honor.
Citing an example of US operation in Abbottabad, Pakistan which tracked down the world's most deadliest terrorist, Osama Bin Laden, Kabir Khan chooses the desi version of Zero Dark Thirty(2012). He had the perfect ingredients to make this a pakka action-thriller but weak direction makes this film easily forgettable. Couple of scenes will question your logic – How can one person single-handedly capture the Laksher-e- Toiba commanders traveling all over the world ? David Coleman Headley's deportation is easily shown. Katrina Kaif's childhood memory is handled with immaturity. After Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Kabir Khan is not in form this time. What could have been a taut-edge-of-seat thriller fizzles out to be a super boring affair.Based on the Hussain Zaidi's book 'Mumbai Avengers', the screenplay falters and editing looses the track. The silver lining is spellbinding art direction and eye-catching cinematography. Music by Pritam is a big letdown. Coming to performances, Saif Ali Khan emotes same expression throughout the film. Katrina Kaif's Hindi accent will give you headache. Surprisingly, the actress has been in the industry for quite some time and still her acting and accent has not improved.
Overall, Phantom is boring. What could have been a taut-edge-of-seat thriller fizzles out to be a super boring affair. Below average 2/5.
– Ketan Gupta
A suspended army officer (played by Saif Ali Khan) is hired to assassinate the Lakshar-e-toiba commanders to seek justice for 26/11 victims and redeem his honor.
Citing an example of US operation in Abbottabad, Pakistan which tracked down the world's most deadliest terrorist, Osama Bin Laden, Kabir Khan chooses the desi version of Zero Dark Thirty(2012). He had the perfect ingredients to make this a pakka action-thriller but weak direction makes this film easily forgettable. Couple of scenes will question your logic – How can one person single-handedly capture the Laksher-e- Toiba commanders traveling all over the world ? David Coleman Headley's deportation is easily shown. Katrina Kaif's childhood memory is handled with immaturity. After Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Kabir Khan is not in form this time. What could have been a taut-edge-of-seat thriller fizzles out to be a super boring affair.Based on the Hussain Zaidi's book 'Mumbai Avengers', the screenplay falters and editing looses the track. The silver lining is spellbinding art direction and eye-catching cinematography. Music by Pritam is a big letdown. Coming to performances, Saif Ali Khan emotes same expression throughout the film. Katrina Kaif's Hindi accent will give you headache. Surprisingly, the actress has been in the industry for quite some time and still her acting and accent has not improved.
Overall, Phantom is boring. What could have been a taut-edge-of-seat thriller fizzles out to be a super boring affair. Below average 2/5.
– Ketan Gupta