All Hail the Boob Spheres! The innovation of these films just keeps on coming. I am a recent fan to the Phantasm series and I have to say that after seeing all four that I am surprised I didn't find interest sooner. That absolute insanity of everything is awe inspiring. These films take twists and turns that leave you either confused or with a giant smile on your face...like the boob spheres.
Anyways, Phantasm 4. I felt this film lost a little bit of steam compared to the last 3, but when I say a little bit, I mean a very little bit. There are tons of flashbacks to the original film which turned me off a bit, but in the end it actually helped the story along. After doing a little research it sounds like the original footage was something like 3 hours long so half the movie was cut out. Knowing that made the flashbacks more comfortable because I just could not remember any of that stuff happening in the original Phantasm.
The story was great I thought. If you were to somehow jump into this installment without seeing the previous 3, you would hate it. My favorite part of all of these is how they tie together. Part 2 seems to be lost on them, but that was my favorite of the 4. The story does however get confusing. I am really going to have to have a marathon of all 4 back to back to truly understand what is going on...at least from writer/director Don Cascarelli's point of view. For the most part I caught on and very much enjoyed it. I enjoy how much of these films is left up to audience interpretation. No indepth explanation of certain things. I think this is a risky thing to do in this society because people want straight forward answers...but it is my feeling that if there were to come out and say it, this series would die. Too many people want to believe one thing or another and to just say it ruins the whole damn thing. Most likely the explanation could never live up to the speculation.
Which leads me to the ending. Wow, did not see that coming. The ending is completely open ended and explanationless. All of the films pretty much end open ended, but this one really kicked the door wide open for interpretation. Was it all a dream? Did they travel through time? Is it a flashback? etc. etc. In either case I desperately crave another phantasm movie...and soon! It is my understanding The Tall Man, Angus Scrimm, is coming up on his 80th birthday so this project needs to get moving, and quick! I need better closure than that. But, in the grand scheme of things leaving it like that is pretty cool...because I can create my own ending.
All in all - see the film. Watch them all in a row first otherwise you will go crazy. Even if the story confuses you, there is plenty of new spheres, creatures, and kick ass one liners throughout to keep you smiling. Lest not forget blowing away evil midgets with a four barreled shotgun. That alone is worth the wait...EVERYTIME!
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Showing posts with label Phantasm. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Phantasm. Show all posts
Sunday, August 15, 2010
BAD MOVIE REVIEW: Phantasm II (1988)
Over 20 midgets gave their lives to make this movie...well not really but there were quite a few of them that perished throughout this film. Their deaths filled the voids between action scenes and plot twists. I wouldn't have it any other way.
I enjoyed Phantasm 2 way more than I did the original. The original is in its own right amazing, but Phantasm 2 is everything Phantasm is not. It is easily one of the top 5 horror sequels of all time. The Tall Man returns wreaking havoc and mayhem all throughout the northwest. He comes and goes leaving entire towns empty and lifeless turning them all into his loyal army of nasty little dwarf minions.
There is no real way to explain this film without making it sound completely absurd...so I won't. The two survivors of the original escape from the house and go on an all out Tall Man hunt across the northwest United States. The lead character is telepathically linked to a woman whom is about to encounter the tall man and he is mysteriously drawn to her. As they grow nearer the obstacles get more fierce as they battle an army of midgets, flying spheres of doom, creatures from another dimension, and the undead! Let's not forget that unforgettable chainsaw duel. Greatest thing ever to grace my television screen. Two men, two chainsaws, only one can survive.
This movie is just amazing. It is very outlandish but that's what makes it so damn fun. There aren't many kills but its mostly about the story and the characters than anything else. When people do die however...its so worth it. It's pretty much a couple of ass kicking Bruce Campbell wannabes. I'm ok with that. If you have not seen Phantasm 2, then I highly suggest you find a copy and see it. You will not be disappointed.
I enjoyed Phantasm 2 way more than I did the original. The original is in its own right amazing, but Phantasm 2 is everything Phantasm is not. It is easily one of the top 5 horror sequels of all time. The Tall Man returns wreaking havoc and mayhem all throughout the northwest. He comes and goes leaving entire towns empty and lifeless turning them all into his loyal army of nasty little dwarf minions.
There is no real way to explain this film without making it sound completely absurd...so I won't. The two survivors of the original escape from the house and go on an all out Tall Man hunt across the northwest United States. The lead character is telepathically linked to a woman whom is about to encounter the tall man and he is mysteriously drawn to her. As they grow nearer the obstacles get more fierce as they battle an army of midgets, flying spheres of doom, creatures from another dimension, and the undead! Let's not forget that unforgettable chainsaw duel. Greatest thing ever to grace my television screen. Two men, two chainsaws, only one can survive.
This movie is just amazing. It is very outlandish but that's what makes it so damn fun. There aren't many kills but its mostly about the story and the characters than anything else. When people do die however...its so worth it. It's pretty much a couple of ass kicking Bruce Campbell wannabes. I'm ok with that. If you have not seen Phantasm 2, then I highly suggest you find a copy and see it. You will not be disappointed.
BAD MOVIE REVIEW: Phantasm (1979)
Phantasm is a wonderful, wonderful horror movie. It has so many great things that are good about it and so little to disappoint. If its your first time watching it, you have to have an open mind. Remember its made in the late seventies, and had contenders like Alien during that time and I highly doubt they had similar budgets.
Angus Scrimm is amazing as "The Tall Man." Whom I've just become familiar with. His walk, his stare, his....voice are just terrifying. He has such a strong presence on screen that you almost forget that he hardly says anything at all. You don't need words to know exactly what he's thinking and what he's about to do.
Those fucking orb things the Tall Man has are awesome. When I first heard about it, I thought it was dumb as hell. Then I saw them in action. Sweet. They blades sticking to the skull and the drill pumping out large amounts of blood. That was cool. I was eating when the first attack happened and I had to put it down for a minute until it was over before I started up again. I also thought at first that the "dwarf" army would be dumb. How the hell is a midget scary? When they prance around like a bunch of creepy looking Jawas and attack from the dark, it makes them pretty scary. I liked the explanation they give for them at the end.
Sometimes the acting in the film was kinda bad but for the most part it was pretty good. I can understand it since most of them are unknowns and still are unknowns. But they did a good job for what it was.
Did NOT see the ending coming. These days that ending would've pissed me off. It's been done enough to make a guy sick. But in the time it was made, it is a spectacular twist. A Nightmare on Elm Street had a similar ending. ANOES being a lot less believable than this one.
Phantasm is a horror classic. It has held its own for years, and will remain to hold its own for many more. I hope they can make a few more than the already 4 part series.
Angus Scrimm is amazing as "The Tall Man." Whom I've just become familiar with. His walk, his stare, his....voice are just terrifying. He has such a strong presence on screen that you almost forget that he hardly says anything at all. You don't need words to know exactly what he's thinking and what he's about to do.
Those fucking orb things the Tall Man has are awesome. When I first heard about it, I thought it was dumb as hell. Then I saw them in action. Sweet. They blades sticking to the skull and the drill pumping out large amounts of blood. That was cool. I was eating when the first attack happened and I had to put it down for a minute until it was over before I started up again. I also thought at first that the "dwarf" army would be dumb. How the hell is a midget scary? When they prance around like a bunch of creepy looking Jawas and attack from the dark, it makes them pretty scary. I liked the explanation they give for them at the end.
Sometimes the acting in the film was kinda bad but for the most part it was pretty good. I can understand it since most of them are unknowns and still are unknowns. But they did a good job for what it was.
Did NOT see the ending coming. These days that ending would've pissed me off. It's been done enough to make a guy sick. But in the time it was made, it is a spectacular twist. A Nightmare on Elm Street had a similar ending. ANOES being a lot less believable than this one.
Phantasm is a horror classic. It has held its own for years, and will remain to hold its own for many more. I hope they can make a few more than the already 4 part series.
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