Movie Review - 'Phantom' - One Of The BEST Movies Of The Year

Rating: ****

Let the fact be stated, this is one of Kabir Khan's best films ever. The man has an impeccable record in last four films. I loved New York and Kabul Express, relished Bajrangi Bhaijaan and didn't think much of Ek Tha Tiger. Now Phantom stands right up there in the league of New York. It is super engaging, thrilling, classy, stylish, real and above all, entertaining.

Now this is something that was pretty much expected from it, considering the fact that it is a Sajid Nadiadwala production. The filmmaker has believed in telling stories for a larger audience and though at the onset Phantom may have given an impression of being a unidimensional action affair with patriotism thrown in for good measure, the fact remains that he hasn't turned away from the commerce angle.

This means that Phantom unfolds as a super entertaining thriller, and how! With several edge of the seat moments, the film never loses place and for that, full marks to editor Aarif Sheikh (Drishyam, D-Day) who puts together the series of events so wonderfully well, despite these taking place in different geographies and locations. The inter-cutting of scenes is simply brilliant and that makes Phantom a captivating thriller for it's little over two hour duration.

In fact the only place where Phantom stops being a film it is when the old lady episode in Pakistan unfolds. Even at just 7-10 minutes, it seems like an interruption in the thrilling scheme of things and suddenly, the proceedings get into Zindagi channel mode! However, once Saif steps into his final mission of taking on the terror mastermind at the rally, the tension builds to an all time high. Coupled with the parallel sequence of a doctor and you get much more than just a paisa vasool affair.

For the wholesome entertainer that Phantom turns out to be, one has to acknowledge the manner in which executions are shown in the first half of the film. The opening chase, the sequence at the apartment, the war shown at Syria and the biggest of them all, the killing at the Chicago jail - each one of them leaves a massive impression in one's mind. Moreover, the two songs that play in the background (Nachda, Saawre) are adequately placed while 'Afghan Jalebi', in a similar setup as 'Dama Dam Mast Kalandar' (D-Day), keeps the narrative going.

As for the actors, Saif does well to embrace a serious avtar while leaving behind his flamboyant self from Agent Vinod. In a part which requires him to plot schemes and indulge in action instead of demonstrating histrionics, he does it all. As for Katrina, she is balanced, sorted and delivers a good act which is beyond the beauty quotient. As a RAW agent, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub is good, though one would have wanted more of him. Sabyasachi Chakrabarty as the RAW chief is believable too and so are each of the actors playing Pakistani terrorists.

As the end credits for Phantom started rolling, a child sitting near me whispered in the ears of his parents - 'Can't this be true?'. He must be 10-11 year old. Still, the very fact he got the core intent of the film pretty much seals the deal for Phantom.

Kabir Khan has got it right.... again. And how!