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Phantasm In 1979 writer/director Don Coscarelli produced a movie that would define a new genre. A genre that would effectively combine horror with science fiction in this entertaining shocker. We begin with a murder. No ordinary murder though. When the friends of this murder victim go to the funeral, the bizzare reality reveals itself to a young boy named Mike. As the funeral party disperses Mike sticks around and watches the funeral director (The Tall Man) pick up his friend's coffin (by himself!!!) and load it back into the hearst. Obviously no one believes him so he goes to investigate on his own. At the funeral home we are introduced to small hooded creatures (that look like jawas) that help the Tall Man. And let's not forger the icon of the Phantasm series: The flying Sentinels. With proof in hand Mike turns to his older brother and their friend Reggie for help. Together they delve into the madness of The Tall Man (played by Angus Scrimm). What does he do with the deceased? What's with the flying silver balls? Who are the dwarves helping the Tall Man? Get the answers to all of these questions, go and rent Phantasm and prepare for the yellow gore!!! |
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Phantasm II Nearly ten years after the original Phantasm created world wide phandom, Phantasm II comes at us with an extension of the original story. Apparently, the entire first movie is played off like it was just a dream that Mike had. After Mike is released from a psychiatric hospital, Reggie (played again by Reggie Bannister) tries to persuade Mike that the Tall Man doesn't exist and that it was all in his imagination. But Reggie's opinion is quickly changed when his house (and his family) go up in flames because of a gas leak in his house, and Mike predicts it before it happens. The quest for The Tall Man begins... We are introduced to a new female character who has been linked psychically to Mike and the Tall Man. Through their dreams he reveals his secrets and his plans. We find out where the dwarves come from and what the flying balls are. We get a cross country glimpse of the desolation the Tall Man leaves in his path. A series of dead towns where the residents have been murdered and their graves robbed. It's an evil escapade of other worldly proportions. Prepare for the climax where Mike and Reggie confront the Tall Man and try to send him back to wherever he came from. If you enjoyed the first Phantasm you're going to love this sequel. Mr. Cosacarelli tries to give this movie an action feeling to it. Our heroes arm themselves with some pretty wild weaponry. Not to mention a kick-ass vehicle, the 1970 Barricuda Hemi. |
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Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead If you haven't watched part two yet, I won't spoil the conclusion. But this film starts off right at the end of the second one. Mike's new found girlfriend becomes a casualty so quick, she doesn't have any lines. After a hearst accident Reg finds an unconscious Mike and them both surrounded by The Tall Man and his army of drawves. It's here The Tall Man discloses his intention. For some reason he wants Mike alive, as if he plays a key role in some grand picture. With the drarves closing in Reggie threatens to take out the both of them with a grenade. So the Tall Man withdrawls. For now. As the plot unfolds we find out that Mike's brother Jody has been transformed into one of the spheres. Now he's a servant of the Tall Man, with a mind of his own. While visiting, Jody unwittingly leads the Tall Man to Mike. A kidnapping occurs and Reggie is left all alone. But that doesn't stop him. He keeps searching for The Tall Man and his friend. Along the way we bump into a group of predators that fall prey to a young boy (with a great shot!!). He tells Reg a story of the Tall Man and how his parents died. Together, they make an unlikely due against the forces of darkness. Then they meet Rocky, a bad ass militia woman who gets dragged into the cavalcade when her friend gets whacked by a sentinel. The duo becomes a trio as the action gets hot. The climax is bleak but entertaining. What does the Tall Man want with Mike? How does he create the dwarves and the spheres? It's all here. Give Phantasm III a view. |
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Phantasm IV: Oblivion This latest film in the Phantasm series deals mostly with unused footage from the first film. It's a hard watch because of the bounced around timeline. In this film we get to watch where the Tall Man came from. Turns out he was human at one time. Even a nice man!! Until a doorway to another world consumes him and returns his flesh possessed by the evil. The Tall Man's beginning. During the film we get to meet more calling cards of the infamous grave robber. Some new villians and witness the death of old friends. Reggie journeys to desolation to find his friend Mike who has been altered in body but maybe not in mind. The climax is sadly non-existant. At the end of this film I felt like there should have been more and I couldn't believe it was the last one in the series. But it wasn't. There's a new script written by Roger Avary (who I've contacted for confirmation). Apparently, it's the best Phantasm yet. It's just a matter of budget and production. Mr. Coscarelli would love to make it, and I'd love to watch it. Phantasm IV ends with a notion that all the other films never existed. I'm hoping the next film rectifies this pretention and brings a more definitive story. Phantasm IV, worth a view or two. |
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