2016 | Dir. David Hartman | 87 Minutes
"You're not even real. You are my bad dream."
Hunted by the evil supernatural undertaker known as the Tall Man, aging every man-turned-action-hero Reggie reaches the end of the search for his lost friends. While the Tall Man's control over Reggie's world strengthens, Reggie's sense of reality fractures.
Directed by veteran animator David Hartman, Phantasm: Ravager perfectly exemplifies everything appealing about Don Coscarelli's resourcefully independent and highly imaginative horror film series. Centered squarely on Reggie's quest to find Mike and Jody, the movie introduces several wrinkles to the series' plot, blowing it wide open for interpretation. Reggie is simultaneously a wandering hero, a dying mental patient, and an exhausted warrior in a post-apocalyptic hellscape. By design, the true nature of Reggie’s reality is never made clear but emotionally, every single one is valid. As the heart of the Phantasm series, Reggie must come to terms with his own mortality, and he ultimately refuses to bargain with the Tall Man, the very embodiment of death, providing a fitting end to his journey.
Dreamlike in structure and clearly produced on a small budget, the visual effects of the movie look relatively cheap but are incredibly ambitious in scope. There is more silver sphere action in this film than in all previous Phantasm movies combined, with several people (and even a horse!) on the receiving end of the grisly drill-and-drain treatment. The film introduces a new spikey kamikaze exploding red sphere and giant-sized spheres firing city-leveling lasers. While the effects work is far from top-notch, the film's earnestness and entertainment value makes up for what it lacks in presentation.
Reggie Bannister is the undisputed star of this entry of the series, doing a fabulous job carrying the film with equal parts humor and pathos. A. Michael Baldwin returns as Mike, appearing all-too-briefly as emotional motivation and support for Reggie no matter in every reality he cycles through. After decades of acting against each other, there is real tangible affection between the two actors and it shows on screen. Angus Scrimm appears for the final time as the Tall Man, flashing his signature raised eyebrow and sharing several great scenes with Reggie. The film also features the return of Kat Lester as the Lady in Lavender, last appearing in the role in the original Phantasm, looking lovely as ever and positively terrifying. Series newcomers Dawn Cody and Stephen Jutras are fun additions, Cody as the target of Reggie's futile attempts at romance, and Jutras as a fierce warrior of small stature called Chunk. Featured in one extended action scene, character actor Daniel Roebuck meets a bloody end fighting a silver sphere with Reggie in a barn. Series regular Bill Thornbury appears as Jody in what ultimately amounts to a painfully brief cameo appearance towards the end of the film.
Exploring themes of death, mortality, loyalty, and enduring friendship Phantasm: Ravager is a bumpy but highly entertaining head-scratcher, very much like the first Phantasm film. More discerning audiences may be turned off by its low budget special effects and disorienting plot, but series fans ought to find much to love about this one, especially those who adore the character of Reggie.
MID-CREDITS STINGER
Badly injured from his attack on the Tall Man, Chunk emerges from a portal in the desert and is saved by Rocky (Gloria Lynne Henry reprising her Phantasm III role). The pair are picked up by Reggie and company in Jody's Hemi Cuda. Together, they ride towards a devastated city with giant spheres hovering over it.
FRAGMENTS
- The film is dedicated to the memory of Angus Scrimm who passed away nine months before the movie was released
- The closing credits feature a montage of action scenes consisting mostly of clips not featured in the movie's narrative
- At the tail end of the closing credits reads these legal disclaimers:
"The characters, places and incidents portrayed herein are entirely fictitious and similarity to any real places or people, living, dead or undead is purely coincidental. This motion picture photoplay is protected pursuant to the provisions of the laws of the United States of America and other countries. Any unauthorized duplication, copying, distribution, exhibition, or any other use of any kind may result in civil liability, and/or criminal prosecution and the enduring wrath of the Tall Man."
- The tail end of the credits also features a thank you message to Phantasm "phans"
