June 10, 1996 -- The parade of comic book characters popping up on the big screen continues with "The Phantom."

"The Phantom" is a masked man in purple spandex who lives in the jungle and fights for truth, justice, and the Indian way. He has a secret identity, of course, Kit Walker (played by Billy Zane). The story goes like this: The Phantom finds out from pretty newspaper publisher's daughter Diana Palmer (spunkily played by Kristy Swanson) that the evil Xander Drax (gleefully played by the talented Treat Williams) means to take over the world with the supernatural power of three priceless skulls.

The Phantom goes to New York to face Drax and stop his evil plan. That's about it for the story. It is really just an excuse for a series of cliff-hangers. The story was written by Jeffrey Boam, who wrote "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." The film shares much with the Indiana Jones films, including the fact that it is set in the same time period as "Raiders of the Lost Ark."

In addition to a high energy level, the film is very stylish. The 1930s sets are impressive and the Thailand locations are spectacular. There are plenty of jokes thrown into the mix as well. At one point the Phantom's sidekick says, "No smoking in the Skull Cave!" "The Phantom" doesn't measure up to the "Indiana Jones" films, or to some other comic book movies like "Batman" or "Dick Tracy," but it is a good effort. One problem is the Phantom character isn't interesting. Zane plays it so low-key, he's almost inert.

The stunt work and special effects are also a little subpar. This kind of film really lives and dies by stunts and special effects, especially when there's no real drama. It rates a C+.