Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Phantasm Ravager

(2016)***

In 2012 I tackled the Phantasm series and after Oblivion I was left confused with far too man unanswered questions. I so wanted this final installment to answer those questions and leave me with a satisfied feeling of conclusion but alas I walk away unsated and slightly more confused. The film starts off with Reggie reentering our world through a desert portal only to find himself being pursued by the relentless death balls. As he fights these balls it seems like we are in for just another Phantasm installment like the ones before but everything changes when Reggie goes to sleep. Each time he closes his eyes they reopen to an entirely different life, one where he is residing in what looks to be a nursing home and he is told by a visiting Michael that he has Alzheimer's disease. The film continues as such flashing from Michael & Reggie fighting the Tall Man and his brood to Reggie's confines of the nursing home. A welcomed reappearance of Jody reunites the original cast and the addition of a bad ass little person who fights along side of them make all the weirdness and disjointed plot turns fun  to watch nevertheless. Somewhere along the way it dawned on me that Reggie is to Phantasm what Ash is to Evil Dead, the character is such an essential part that the series just wouldn't be relevant without him. I can only imagine how fully immersed into the story the writers must have been to create the complexities of the Tall Man's world. There are so many levels, it was like stepping through a an unending vortex. If you are a fan of the series Ravager is a must see even if it's only because it was the last film for Angus Scrimm, just to hear him say "Booooooy" one last time makes it fully worthwhile.

6 comments:

JPX said...

I have been DYING to see this, how did you catch it? I love that the same cast has been involved for 40 years!

Catfreeek said...

It's available on both showbox & megabox

Johnny Sweatpants said...

What the hell is showbox and megabox? I'm relieved that you gave it at least ***. It's been many years since I've seen the others. I kinda want to revisit them before seeing this installment.

Catfreeek said...

Both are android apps us Apple peeps are out of luck. Tony has an android.

AC said...

Excellent job finding and watching this! Three stars isn't that bad for a late installment in a series.

DKC said...

RIP Angus. We're still here watching your flicks! I think I only saw the first two or maybe three of these. That is pretty awesome that the whole cast shows up.

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