PHANTASM RAVAGER is the final
(supposedly) and fifth
long-awaited entry in the PHANTASM series.
It serves as a continuation and somewhat conclusion to the series with
even a nod to Roger Avary’s unproduced PHANTASM script. Reggie (Reggie
Bannister) has been wandering
the desert as he comes across the guy who stole his card and he soon finds
himself spilt between three different realities (the others being Reggie in an
old folks mental hospital and the other being rescued in a post-apocalyptic
world overtaken by the Tall Man and his giant spheres. As an entry in
the seires, it is better than
PHANTASM OBLIVION, but the production values aren’t as good as the first
three. The HD Video look of the movie
looks too much like video and I wish the low budget production looked more like
film or they took the look in a different way in digital intermediate. I do
see this as an interesting way to end
the PHANTASM series if another movie isn’t made, but I think the first three
movies are stronger movies. It is sad
that PHANTASM RAVAGER was Angus Scrimm’s final appearance as the Tall Man
before his death. Watch the end credits
for a cameo appearance from one of the old characters in the series and a
montage of possible future adventures in addition to the copyright warning
against copying mentioning the wrath of the Tall Man.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Audio commentary by director
David Hartman and producer/
creator Don Coscarelli talk about the making of the movie and the locations
used and how small the crew was (about five people).
Behind The Scenes featurette
which shows some
behind-the-scenes footage, clips, and interviews with Reggie Bannister, Don
Coscarelli, David Hartman, and others in this brief five minute piece
A few deleted scenes hinting
at that PHANTASM RAVAGER
actually started life as a planned web series
Bloopers and outtakes reel
PHANTASM RAVAGER trailer and
previews for TRAIN TO BUSAN,
THE WAILING, and DEAD SNOW 2
FINAL ANALYSIS:
PHANTASM RAVAGER is an interesting way to end the series even though the
movie is as good as the first three in the series. I hope it isn’t the
last we see of the series
even though Angus Scrimm won’t be back to play the Tall Man (due to his death
after this movie was made). This disc
is a must buy for fans of the PHANTASM series.
This
review is ©12-13-2016
David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. Send all comments
to feedback@enterline-media.com
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