Phantasm:
Ravager
(2016/Well Go USA Blu-ray)
Picture:
B Sound: B Extras: C+ Film: C+
2016
was a big year for Phantasm - the original 1978 Don Coscarelli
(Beastmaster, Bubba Ho Tep) film was remastered in 4K
high definition (reviewed elsewhere on this site and also available
from Well Go USA) and re-released by J. J. Abrams and this newest
installment, the fifth in the series, David Hartman's Phantasm:
Ravager was also released in a limited theatrical and VOD
release. This is definitely a film that you will get more out of
having seen the other films in the series, especially the original
but that doesn't necessarily make it bad.
With
many returning members from the original cast (including Reggie
Bannister in the lead), Ravager puts a button on the end of
the franchise, especially seeing that The Tall Man himself Angus
Scrimm is no longer with us in this reality. While Ravager
has some fun moments, what weighs it down the most is its ambitious
screenplay for its not so ambitious budget. Much of the film is
plagued by bad digital effects (even the muzzle flashes on the guns
look bad) and some laughably bad acting and direction. Still,
Bannister gives the performance his best shot, and it is nice to see
Angus Scrimm as The Tall Man one last time.
Reggie
(Reggie), Mike (A. Michael Baldwin), and Jody (Bill Thornbury)
continue in their quest to stop the evil, dimension-spanning evil
known as The Tall Man (Scrimm) - who can shape shift and command a
lethal armada of killer Sentinel Spheres.
Presented
in 1080p high definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.77:1,
the film looks and sounds fine on Blu-ray disc, though as mentioned
previous the digital effects are very poor and this is even more
evident thanks to the clarity of high definition. The sound mix is
standard and not too bad with a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
track that brings out the nice score by Christopher L. Stone, which
revisits the Phantasm theme from the original film.
Special
Features include...
Audio
Commentary with Director David Hartman and Producer Don Coscarelli
Behind
the Scenes
Deleted
Scenes
Phantasm
Blooper and Outtakes
Trailer
If
you're a fan of the series, you will get more out of this one than
most. Otherwise, the film is pretty average, yet still fun to watch.
-
James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
