Review of Phantasm: Ravager (2016) by Ian B — 23 Sep 2017

As a life-long Phantasm fan, this is an extremely depressing review to write. Like all fans of the franchise, I was surprised and excited when a new sequel was finally announced (it's been 18 years since the last one), but I was a little skeptical when it was revealed series creator Don Coscarelli wouldn't be returning to direct.

I kept my expectations in check after the somewhat disappointing fourth entry, but I never saw this train wreck coming. Ravager is a cheap looking, horribly written and directed mess with some of the worst effects I've ever laid eyes on.

This feels more like a fan-made film, shot over the weekend on someone's iPhone, rather than a true Coscarelli sequel. The only highlight the film has to offer is seeing the original cast back. Unfortunately, even they don't have much to do this time around, except Reggie Bannister, who's become the driving force behind these movies.

It was bittersweet seeing Angus Scrimm play the Tall Man one last time, and his few brief scenes are really the only reason to watch this mess of a sequel. I know the Phantasm films have traditionally not made much sense, but it's like they weren't even trying this time.

Since this is probably the last Phantasm flick we'll ever see, it's extremely frustrating that it doesn't even attempt to answer any of the series' long-lingering questions. It's a shame such a fun and original franchise had to go out on this sour note.

The fans, and these characters, deserved better.