Review of Phantasm (1979) by Mjs M — 23 Oct 2009
What is The Tall Man? He?s no mere serial killer, he?s not a vampire, he doesn?t really appear to be an alien, and he?s not any kind of ghost I can readily identify. I can?t really put a label on what The Tall Man is, he doesn?t fall into any existing horror movie trope, and that?s the main thing that makes this movie special; it?s original.
The fact that Angus Scrimm is a very creepy presence also helps, and so does the really gory death scene midway through the movie. What do no help are the poor performances by everyone involved other than Scrimm, nor do the film?s occasionally shotty production values.
Don Coscarelli does not strike me as a master filmmaker, and I don?t think he?s really able to make this film everything it could have been, but for the aspects that work it is worth a viewing.
This review of Phantasm (1979) was written by Mjs M on 23 Oct 2009.
Phantasm has generally received positive reviews.
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