The Tall Man Strikes Back
Producing a sequel to a unique horror film like "Phantasm" had to have been a challenge, but somehow writer/director Don Coscarelli managed to strike gold twice. Arriving nearly ten years after its predecessor and in a decidedly different climate, "Phantasm II" shifts gears from the creepy, dream-like original to a unique action/horror hybrid and passes with flying colors. While the tone is noticeably different from the first, most of the elements that made the original so special are re-arranged to make something altogether different and ultimately, well, fun.Picking up where we left off in the original, Reggie (Reggie Bannister) and Mike (re-cast from Michael Baldwin to James LeGros) effectively send the Tall Man (Angus Scrimm) packing. Unfortunately, after spending a number of years in a mental hospital, Mike starts having visions of his foe as well as a mysterious young girl (Paula Irvine). Together with his surrogate big brother, he goes on a cross-country quest to track down the Tall Man and defeat him once and for all.
"Phantasm II" is a rare case of a sequel breaking away from the format of the original and succeeding in its own right. The film makes nods to horror movies of its time -- there's a bit of "Elm Street" and "Evil Dead" sprinkled throughout -- and it's remarkable how well it comes together. Coscarelli does an excellent job of keeping the pace going while balancing ambitious ideas and bizarre special effects. It's not quite as challenging as its predecessor, but that's part of the film's charm. Bannister is as game as always as the lovable Reggie, while LeGros steps into Baldwin's shoes effortlessly. The two have excellent chemistry together and the journey they take is every bit as fun and the frenzied finale the film offers.
From front to back, "Phantasm II" is good old spooky fun from the late '80s as only Coscarelli could deliver. And if that's not enough for you, there are still two more enjoyable sequels to plow through. "Phantasm II" is but a landmark in one of the most bizarre and unique horror series of its time.
score 9/10
Minus_The_Beer 23 April 2012
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw2601178/35714
Pages:
[1]