Phantasm (1979)

Before I could dive into Phantasm: Ravager, I needed to get back into the series by revisiting the classic Phantasm. When I saw it on Shudder, I was excited to reenter one of my favorite horror films. So, without anymore of my babbling here on Christmas Day, the next review it the 1979 low budget classic Phantasm.

Plot/ A teenage boy and his friends face off against a mysterious grave robber known only as the Tall Man, who keeps a lethal arsenal of terrible weapons with him.

As I mentioned last night in my review, Phantasm is one of my favorite horror franchises and a movie that left a lasting impression on me as I was growing up. When I decided to revisit the remastered version, I already knew what to expect, and it is a movie that can be very polarizing for viewers. There is so much to love in this low budget horror classic, featuring both surrealistic and sci-fi/fantasy elements. Set in an atmospheric and layered storyline, there are many elements that make it a strange ride into its own dimension of horror. Complete with the Tall Man (Angus Scrimm), the silver blood draining spheres, and the crazy superhuman dwarfs, the emotions of love and loss, as well as coming of age are all woven into the scripting. Yes, the performances are uneven and some of the overall feel is incoherent, but those factors are easily overlooked when immersing yourself into the story. In the end, this is one of the most memorable horror films of the 1970s, and a movie that is a must see for horror fans. If you have not seen it, shame on you! Highly recommended.

Phantasm: Ravager (2016)

As I settle down for the Christmas Eve adventure, I decided to finish a review on one of the first movies I watched on the new television. In many ways, this flick, while an ending of an era, served to be the perfect movie to start my new television with, because it made me also revisit the source material (which will be reviewed soon-maybe tomorrow). This movie is the 2016 entry Phantasm: Ravager.

Plot/ Reggie is wandering through the desert seeking out his friend Mike and the evil The Tall Man. Along his journey; he is hunted down by the dangerous spheres and stumbles upon the gorgeous Dawn. Out of the blue, he finds himself in an institution with Mike explaining that he has dementia and then in another dimension.

Being a fan of the series from the start, I was definitely saddened by the word of the passing of Angus Scrimm, but I knew we would have this last entry to complete the saga. While this one may not be as great as some of the earlier entries in the series, I definitely enjoyed many of the dimensional aspects and of course the use of the spheres. I also loved the way the storyline revolved around Reggie and the way he was dealing with a real life turmoil that in many ways plagues all of us in some way. The performances and effects work and in some ways the storyline and its surreal nature does serve as a solid ending to the franchise. Of course, this story may not be for everyone because of the way it is portrayed and with the fact that there are a bunch of unanswered questions lingering inside the different dimensions, but to me, that was fine. In the end, this entry will definitely have mixed reviews. For me, who watched the original in my youth at the drive in, it was a solid yet subdued entry in a classic franchise.

Satanic (2006)

After revisiting Lizzy Borden, I decided to venture back into the flicks that sit in my review backlog. Honestly, I had very few options.  Being in the middle of a deep freeze, it is hard to watch something I arm interested in with the girls constantly awake since school has been closed or delayed because of the sub-zero temps. In catching up, I decided to go back to the 2006 indie entry Satanic. 

Plot/ The powers of darkness converge to claim the soul of a young girl who may have made a deal with the devil. After a devastating car accident claims the life of her father, Michelle wakes up in a hospital with no recollection of the events leading up to the traumatic tragedy. 

Low budget horror can go many different ways, and often it leaves you scratching your head wondering what you just watched. That is definitely the case with this one, as there are very few redeeming qualities to even mention. Yes, there is nudity and some interesting cinematography moments, but that in no way can save this one from the weight of the incoherent and hole-filled script. The CGI is bad, the characterization worse, and the acting is extremely uneven. In the end, there are much better low budget flicks out there, you can definitely pass on this one.

Phantasm IV: Oblivion (1998)

After a few days I decided to venture back into the world of the Tall Man and watch 1998s Phantasm IV: Oblivion. (Note to self: While I have not done it yet, at some point soon I will revisit the original masterpiece and do up a review.)

Plot/ Taking off immediately where the last one ended, in this episode Mike travels across dimensions and time fleeing from the Tall Man, at the same time he tries to find the origins of his enemy, and what really happened the night that his brother died. Meanwhile, Reggie (accompanied by a beauty he picked up on the road) battles the spheres and the undead in a quest to find Mike before the Tall Man can complete his transformation.

I Know it may be hard to fathom, but honestly, this may be the best and most interesting installment of the Phantasm series since the original and it is definitely the most atmospheric. Yes, there is a lack of gore and even action, bit this series and film are definitely on another plain, focusing on surreal aspects that tugs on emotions. Again, the acting, story and cinematography are very good, with especially great usage of flashbacks throughout. Sure, it opens more questions about the Tall Man and his world and yes, the ending leaves a bit to be desired, but those also can be considered benefits. To me, this series has been more cerebral and entertaining because the focus was on the characters and storyline vice action and gore, and this truly carries on that tradition. While not for everyone, it is truly a work of art and one of the best sequels in any series.

Phantasm II (1988)

After watching Phantasm III, I could not help but to jump into another entry from that franchise, with the second installment of one of my favorite horror series, Don Coscarelli’s Phantasm II from 1988.

Plot/ Mike, now released from a psychiatric hospital, continues his journey to stop the evil Tall Man from his grim work.

This installment of the Phantasm series was a very important film from my youth. I had seen the original as a kid and was disturbed by the imagery, but for the life of me could not remember the name of it. That was until the trailer, and those words, the ball is back. Yes, to me, this one could never have the power of the first flick, but it is still a good film in its own right. While it did lack the creepiness, it did add some more action and better special effects than in the first film. The acting (although raplacing A. Michael Baldwin was noticible) and story were solid and as usual Angus Scrimm was terrific. In the end, this is not a spectacular film, but it is really enjoyable. Different from the original, absolutely, but still a tremendous effort in its own right!

Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead (1994)

Continuing to watch movies that have shaped me and starring some of the people I met at Monster-Mania, like A. Michael Baldwin. With that in mind, I decided to dive into the third installment of one of my favorite horror franchises, Don Coscarelli’s Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead from 1994.

Plot/ The Tall Man, that imposing menace from Morningside Mortuary, is back and once again haunting the thoughts of the now-adult Mike and his friend, ex-Ice Cream vendor Reggie. The two continue their hunt for the mysterious figure and in his path of destruction encounter a variety of dangerous situations, friends and enemies. They also must contend with the resurrected dead plus a growing number of the infamous and deadly silver spheres which aid the Tall Man as he sets his sights on indoctrinating Mike and finishing the fight begun so many years ago.

If you are like me and enjoy this series, you should enjoy this installment. Yes, it is again a bit different than the previous installments, but it does a great job at keeping true to the original idea. It is definitely a gory and exciting entry in this creative horror fantasy. Again, the scenery, acting and plot are solid. The scripting is inventive, mixing the darkness and story of the Tall Man (Angus Scrimm) with a slight dose of dark humor. Is it a perfect flick, No! But, it is definitely fun and a movie that should be enjoyed by fans of horror and the Phantasm series.