Metascore

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critics What's this?

User Score

Mixed or average reviews- based on 9 Ratings

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 22
  2. Negative: 6 out of 22
  1. Reviewed by: Andrew O'Hehir
    Feb 28, 2013
    80
    In this classy, taut white-knuckler – largely shot inside a real-life decommissioned Soviet sub – Robinson asks us to consider more than the hypothetical possibility that the world nearly ended in 1968. He reminds us that we have no idea how many other near-misses may have happened in the behind-the-scenes history of the modern age and also, more troubling still, that long after the Cold War has faded into memory we continue to have difficulty telling the crazy people from the sane ones.
  2. Reviewed by: Michael Atkinson
    Feb 26, 2013
    60
    Manly, sharp-edged submarine B movies don’t come along often anymore — so consider this Cold War off-white-knuckler a welcome blast of recycled air.
  3. Reviewed by: Mark Olsen
    Feb 28, 2013
    60
    Phantom is a relatively tight, gripping story told with efficiency that makes room for its fine roster of actors to explore old-fashioned ideas on honor and loyalty.
  4. Reviewed by: Frank Scheck
    Feb 28, 2013
    30
    Despite the world-changing ramifications inherent to the plot, the results are more tedious than thrilling.

See all 22 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 5
  2. Negative: 2 out of 5
  1. Ed Harris stars as a washed-up Russian submarine captain (is there any other kind in movies?). His final mission includes a KBG agent (David Duchovny) with diabolical plans. None of it matters because this is one of the slowest, most talky war movies ever. Since it takes place in the small confines of the sub, tension should be built-in, but the only drama is provided by obnoxious ominous music and painfully portentous dialogue. Even worse, the action is often confusing If you enjoy Cold War sub conflict, you might find it worthy. Otherwise, stay above the surface. NOTE: Look for Johnathon Schaech hiding behind a giant moustache. Expand
  2. I was very excited to see Phantom because of Ed Harris but it seems like water adventure films do stink bad. Phantom was gripping in the middle but the pace drops at the end and then boom, The End. I like Ed Harris, but with this film he has disappointed me. Expand
  3. Don't see Phantom. It's not horrible but it's dull, boring and completely lacking in memorability. Not one character or plot-point sunk in, and I found my mind wandering throughout. The acting's okay for the most part, sometimes decent and stupid at others. There's a couple "so bad it's good" moments but they're short, sporadic and not worth seeing the whole thing for. The only reason why I saw it in the first place is cause it was my dad's turn to pick the movie, and because he's a veteran he goes nuts for any movie that involves the military, this being no exception. Just... don't see this. You won't be traumatized by outright badness but it's not worth spending your time and money on. 40/100 Expand
  4. Ed Harris has a bad lead performance which is unusual for him, but more importantly its badly written and just all around stupid in every way.

See all 5 User Reviews

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