Phantasm II (1988)

Simply Perfect

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

To all those who have watched it: I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

I was surprised when I recently watched "Phantasm" that I actually enjoyed the film and thought its biggest strengths were its excellent writing, originality and creepiness. Well, it's now back with "Phantasm 2" and it still has creepiness...though not much more. Despite what you saw in the last film, Mike is now as indestructible as The Tall Man and he's back...even though you saw him being drug off to God-knows- where by The Tall Man at the end of the first film. To try to get around this serious problem (since Mike is a major character in the sequel), they had to re-write a new ending for the first film and he actually managed to escape!As the film begins, Mike (not the same actor...some faux Mike) is about to be released from a mental institution. After all, when he tells folks about what he's seen, everyone thinks he's lost his mind! This time, however, instead of Mike's brother, inexplicably Reggie is back to go on a never-ending road-trip to try to find The Tall Man and stop him from turning the dead into dwarf zombie slaves. In addition, Mike has a new girlfriend with which they share an odd psychic bond (huh?!?!) and there's another new girl there to show off her boobs and earn the film an R rating.So is this any good? Yes and no. If you love action...mindless action...you're in for a treat. You get all sorts of violence and mayhem--with better late 80s special effects. If you want a story that makes sense and adds to the story, well you'll be pretty disappointed. I think I'll try one more Phantasm film...and if it's like more of the same, then I'll think I'll stop instead of going on to "Phantasm IV" (which was made, according to the director, strictly for money) or the recent and final one, "Phantasm V: The Quest to Squeeze Even MORE Money Out of the Franchise". And, incidentally, actor Angus Scrimm is REALLY dead and beyond reanimation.

This is probably my favorite film in the "Phantasm" series, and not to mention one of my favorite films during the VHS revolution of the 1980's and early 90's. The sequel to the cult classic "Phantasm" contains all of the campy weirdness and comical elements that made that era so significant for true horror film fans. Taking place much later after the events of the first film, an already grown Mike (James Le Gros) is released from the Morningside psychiatric facility unconvinced that the "Tall Man" (Angus Scrimm) and his dwarf minions are products of his imagination. He must persuade his long-time friend and companion Reggie Bannister that the events from 8 years ago were in fact a reality. After Reggie's house explodes along with his entire family, its time to hit the road with the classic 1971 black HemiCuda 426 and shopping carts full of weapons to stop the Tall Man's quest to rob every grave and kill every person who inhabits the small towns of the North-western United States. This is classic 80's action-horror-comedy film-making with Director, Don Coscarelli once again at the helm for what is a wild, twisted and bizarre journey into skewered reality and fantasy. Every device from the original Phantasm is back and better including the flying killer silver spheres which get much more screen time in this chapter. A likable cast is in top form including Mike's love interest (Paula Irvine) whom he as a psychic link with and the unfortunate Father Meyers (Kenneth Tigar). Reggie and Mike make a great team of hunters battling the forces of the undead with flamethrowers, chainsaws, modified shotguns and other various weapons. This has much more gore and bloodshed than the first film, and the relationships between the characters, (especially Mike and Liz) have good chemistry. There's never a dull moment, and plenty of comic relief make this a memorable addition to the ultra-weird world of Phantasm. Reggie and Angus return for Phantasm III in 1994.

The Tall man and his balls are back (Err, that's not what it sounds like). This time the action is ramped up, the gore is plentiful, and one of the actors has been replaced. Reggie and Mike are out for revenge, and follow the Tall Man across America, with modified guns and a flamethrower. Looks like they're finally going to get to the bottom of the enigma of Phantasm, right? Wrong! What you do get is more flying spheres attacking folk, more weirdness, bigger set pieces, and a lot of fun. It's not quite up to the quality of the first film, but the sequel certainly holds its own. This time Michael's searching for a girl who's been dreaming about The Tall Man, who is getting bolder and emptying entire towns (not to mention the graveyards). It's hard to describe a plot which involves people chasing each other about, but this time our heroes have also got to contend with the Tall Man's assistants (all of whom meet very gory deaths). The film is a lot more linear than the last one, so 'linear' fans might get a kick out of that.

The late 80's was a great time for sequels for classic 70's horror films. With The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Evil Dead getting really good , but different and effective sequels it was now Phantasm 's turn to resurface. While the previously mentioned franchises crossed comedy with horror , Phantasm II combines action with horror . Reggie and Michael ( replaced by James Le Gross) hit the road to find and kill The Tall Man. Armed with some cool weapons ( a 4 barrelled shotgun and a flamethrower ) our heroes can more than hold their own against the forces of evil. Reggie is a very tough and charismatic action hero with a cool car and stylish skullet to boot. Reggie and James Le Gross make a good team and have great chemistry. Plus there are hot chicks, great f/x , as well as great atmosphere, story and sci fi weirdness that made the first film great. Phantasm II is a great movie and an excellent follow up to the original film.