Phonearl Good start, but then it gets ruined

Senteur As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

Gurlyndrobb While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Lela The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

bobbysing As an exciting patriotic spy movie, PHANTOM had a perfect timing to hit the screen with a theme quite relevant to the current political scenario dealing with sponsored terrorism. But one honestly expected a much better and logical espionage thriller from the director of most successful Hindi film of the present times BAJRANGI BHAIJAAN who earlier also gave us the decently made KABUL EXPRESS & NEW YORK dealing with related subjects.Here many would find EK THA TIGER missing in the names mentioned above as I personally don't rate it as any well-made spy-film completely dependent upon its huge star-enigma. But these references interestingly force me to assume that probably it's the repeated theme used in more than 3 films of Kabir Khan that has resulted in such a lackluster product this time, with the director losing his much needed interest or enthusiasm dealing with the same things again and again in different forms.Moreover if you consider BAJRANGI BHAIJAAN & PHANTOM together looking at their basic plot, then keeping aside their core purpose, both the films actually talk about a larger than life hero only entering Pakistan and completing his set task successfully. However the huge difference here remains that where in BB you immensely enjoy connecting with Salman Khan doing all the impossible acts in the neighbouring country just for the adorable little girl, there in PHANTOM you find it completely absurd when Saif does it all with a visible ease, killing few of the most wanted criminals of the world single handedly. And the major reason why you feel this way while watching PHANTOM is its 'genre' in which you cannot just set aside the logic, reasoning and intelligence as a political-spy-thriller dealing with terrorism and Pakistan to be exact. A fact that clearly got a much better support in Kabir's own KABUL EXPRESS & NEW YORK along with BABY & D-DAY moving far ahead than PHANTOM in all respects.Addressing the counter criticism here in relation to the foreign films, Yes, we have seen a 'one-man-army' completing the given spy- tasks in many hit western movies too performing the impossible. But the way PHANTOM presents its key sequences challenging the intelligent quotient of the viewers through an extremely childish writing and execution, it doesn't allow you to draw any kind of comparisons at all putting it honestly.Beginning with a very weird chase sequence in the first minute itself, its focus straight away shifts to the India's Intelligence agency officers discussing a secret mission in a room like few friends casually talking about their next weekend program together. Moreover the way they all start looking for 'a new capable, trustworthy spy' in the old, dusty office files and vague references really make you laugh at the commendable imagination of the writers taking the maximum advantage of the so called 'creative liberty' granted to them with the job assigned.The film goes on and on in the first half without offering any electrifying entertainment usually expected from such thrilling subject. And the same continues post intermission despite the spy- couple entering Pakistan with their fake identities. Besides the ease with which they keep on meeting the right people, at right places, acquiring heavy explosives and more within Pakistan itself, takes away all the remaining excitement left in the film leading towards an entirely predictable climax following the set routine.In fact the writers continue walking on an unconvincing path till the very last, (portraying the Pakistan's intelligence officers too in a similar comic tone), converting PHANTOM into a completely filmy take on a concerning theme that also becomes laughable at times due to the irresponsible and illogical execution as well as dialogues. In short, only few things make some kind of impact amongst the less engaging progression of Kabir Khan's PHANTOM. One is the camera-work, art direction and background score presenting the actions sequences well (especially the war-like ones in Syria). And second is the quite easy yet interesting murder sequence of David Headley in the first half providing the few thrills (appreciably using the real names of some known terrorists boldly). Other than that PHANTOM mostly remains an evenly paced unexciting spy thriller that ought to be a high paced, unpredictable, nail biting sensational killer-drama to be precise.The performances remain mediocre exactly like the film despite the earnest effort of Saif Ali Khan playing the lead. And the actor must be feeling betrayed both by his writers and directors together since he is not able to make any kind of connect with the viewers whatsoever in his last few films. Katrina Kaif is just there as the 'must-have' heroine like a typical 'bond-girl', whereas its quite sad to see an actor like Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub wasted in such a silly way along with Sabyasachi Chakraberty.Coming back to its basic subject of vengeance for the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai (unofficially planned by the Indian Intelligence), it gives me a feeling that the book on which the film is based upon must be many times better than its on screen depiction as it seems. However if Hussain Zaidi's MUMBAI AVENGERS (the actual novel) is also having the same improbable sequences projecting it all in such easy-going terms too, then that certainly makes it a questionable choice for adaptation by all means. Personally speaking (taking a clue from its title), I would love reading an old Indrajal Comics on the actual ghostly character of Phantom once again that unarguably used to have a much more logical, thrilling and entertaining narration if compared to this new-age PHANTOM.Still many might enjoy watching it, who can keep the logic home even while going for a political-spy thriller dealing with the dead- serious issue of global terrorism.

surnaik-38946 The movies like Chennai express and Dilwale making 100 crores at opening week and this movie is a making only 33 crores in India. May be Indian audiences doesn't need the meaningful movie. I mean come on 5.6 rating on IMDb Its far better than an average Indian movies and all we care about is star cast and same useless love stories again and again. If you want make some Oscar level movies in India I say this is the start of it. Best story and one the best action movies from India. India need more movies like these way to go Kabir Khan well written and directed movie. It has perfect pace and also contain Indian masala but don't no why Indian people like family and love dramas rather than sensible and meaningful movies

Dwaipayan Choudhury Phantom is a deep political thriller with certain technical flaws but a movie which is potential of delivering a strong fervor of the helpless patriotism. The movie is entirely a fictional one and an Utopian one but brings before the viewers the shrewdness of international relations. Apart from Saif and Katrina's works, one finds the vociferous Sabyasachi Chakrobarty and flickering brilliance of Md. Ayyub. The musical numbers are engaging. Going by the ratings, the movie is not bound to do well but do give it a watch if you are not much bugged by the ratings and if you're not a expert technician, acting as the jack of all trades !

amitabh-dutta3 I don't know why this movie is being rated low on IMDb....It should be rated 6- 7. I am giving a 10/10 because it touched my cord and gave me entertainment as an audience or moviegoer.Saif did great as an RAW agent, so does Katrina......They did their part with perfection...The movie is pacy, fun and make us feel proud of being Indian and hate Terrorism.. Kabir Khan brought another gem to display in the market like Bajrangi Bhaijaan.....No Spoilers.....Please go to theartre and watch...You will like it.....Greatttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt JAI HIND