Phantasm: Ravager (2016)

It's hard to believe that the Phantasm series started back in 1979 and sporadically released it's 5 movies across the decades.What's even harder to believe is that every major player from the franchise has stuck through it and is right here in 2016 for the final chapter.Reggie returns one last time to reunite with his friends, fight the forces of evil and go toe to toe with the Tall Man for the ultimate confrontation.Now I don't think that the Phantasm franchise is that great, I think they are original titles and I applaud them for lasting as long as they have but they've tended to be confusing disconnected movies.Alas this is no different, in fact I have to say it's the most confusing of them all. Regardless it's a nostalgia trip, everyones along for the ride including the films original creators.Though the sfx are ropey and the plot makes very little sense Ravager isn't that bad, it's just not a fitting finale for a series that has lasted this long! What makes it worse is that the highly ambiguous finale does it no favours.I'd say this is essential viewing for fans of the series but all things considered it should have been considerably better.RIP Angus ScrimmThe Good:Nostalgia filledSome new and interesting ideasThe Bad:Plot isn't greatPacing is a bit of a messFinale is terribleThings I Learnt From This Movie:Reggie Bannister is immortalWhen a franchises sfx haven't improved since the 1970's you need to have serious words with your sfx guys

Phantasm Ravager is the most recent(and final?) installment to the Phantasm series. While the film is very low budget, as a fan I enjoyed this quite a bit. It has been a while since I saw the last couple of direct to video sequels and seeing this makes me want to check them out again. This film takes us full circle with the original cast of Reggie, Michael, Jody and of course The Tall Man. This story is taken from Reggie's perspective on his search for Michael and his hunt for The Tall Man. This film jumps around to multiple realiities/universes, which ultimately leaves it up to the viewer to decide what is real and what is a dream. Reggie gives a great performance as lead and aging action hero at battle with the forces of evil. In the little down time that he has, he still plays a mean guitar and has some game with the ladies. There are nods to Bubba Ho Tep and while I can't say this film blew me away, as a fan of the series I was satisfied and entertained with this. Reggie Bannister is a very charismatic leading man, his performance here is great and is very under rated in my opinion.

I've been a die hard Phantasm phan for almost 30 yrs ..And,I've waited for this movie to come out for almost 20 yrs .. I have never been SO damn disappointed in a movie and it's creator in my life !!..The movie ended the way it should of began !!!..It didn't have the dynamics like any of the previous sequels​(including Phantasm : Oblivion).. Nothing to scare you , excite you or make you even give a sh*t about the story anymore .. I think,NO pretty sure,that the series died when Scrimm died !!Now , Coscarelli has not only sold-out the phans ...But,now he's selling the rights to the highest bidder from any Hollowood studio !..BTW ,Where did they find that sh*tty rapper to do that Disney-style pop-rap song during the end credits ??

I think filmmakers should be made to fill out long, complicated forms if they want to use digital cameras. This movie is a fine example. It looks like a college project and has that awful live TV look. There's lots of post production coloring which is simply nasty. I bet you can guess my opinion of the CGI? It's a dirty shame things turned out this way.I think it best we treat Phantasm: Ravager like Creepshow 3 and pretend it never happened. Now go watch the first flick and enjoy yourself.