Year: 2016
Director(s): David Hartman
Writer(s): Don Coscarelli, David Hartman
Region of Origin: US
Rating: Unrated
Digital, Color, 87 mins
Synopsis: The final chapter… (Source)
To me, there’s a simple reason as to why the Phantasm films have held up for so long – the series simply plays by its own rules. Don Coscarelli’s constantly evolving, waking nightmare has never cared for narrative logic, but rather emotional authenticity, exploring ideas of loss, brotherhood, grief and afterlife amidst unapologetically bizarre haunts. Despite the cryptic mythology behind it, these films are rooted in sincere, relatable ideas, and it’s this same charm that carries Phantasm: Ravager over the finish line. Directed by David Hartman, the final chapter is all about the fans, paying off Reggie, Mike and Jody’s decades old journey by pitting them against the Tall Man and his undead army one last time. Like its predecessors, the film still feels very much like a family affair, making up for its noticeable lack of budget with rapturous imagination and endearing characters. Ravager is a mighty fine way to go out, in the biggest way possible, and with an emotional payoff that feels cathartic.
The film picks up directly from its predecessor. After fighting an uphill battle through numerous dimensions, Reggie (Reggie Bannister) and his four-barrel shotgun make it back to Earth, alone, but as a survivor. With no where to turn and his friends thought dead, he picks up a hitcher and finds shelter in her home. Of course, things take a grisly turn, and before he knows it, Reggie awakens to finds himself a patient at a convalescent home. It’s here where he’s greeted by his friend, Mike (A. Michael Baldwin), miraculously alive and well, and claiming that Reggie has been suffering from dementia for the past few years. With the tables turned, Reggie is blindsided by the revelation. Before he can gain his bearings however, he’s transported into yet another reality, this time a post-apocalyptic nightmare in which the Tall Man (Angus Scrim) and his spheres have taken over. Split between these three alternate planes of consciousness, Reggie has no idea what’s real anymore, only that he has one last shot at potentially taking down the Tall Man for good.
Casual viewers will mostly likely find themselves at a loss, but this one last hurrah is sure to please the faithful who have been there since the beginning. Fittingly, the film plays out like a greatest hits mixtape of the series, upping the stakes and dialing everything to eleven as each scene barrels headfirst into absurd abandon. Again, we’ve got dreams within dreams, lots of gore, one-liners, and the late Angus Scrimm, turning in one last performance as the menacing Tall Man. Hartman does a great job of making each shifting plane of existence distinctive. For example, Reggie’s time at the hospital and his psychological torment transforms into full on warfare during the post-apocalyptic sequences. This also gives the film a few big set pieces, going for broke and taking the mythology to epic levels, as Reggie links up with a spunky rebel army who’ll stop at nothing to destroy the Tall Man. The film never stays in one place too long, making it a disorienting affair in which it’s virtually impossible to tell which part of the story is right side up. This has always been the fun of the series, though, and on that front Ravager never disappoints, with Hartman’s main focus on wringing Reggie and Mike’s relationship in a way that feels earned.
Since the actors have grown up through these roles, they’re synonymous with their characters at this point. We don’t feel like the primary cast is acting anymore, they just are the people we see on screen – it’s a surreal, sort of meta-touch that pushes everything that much further. As Reggie, Reggie Bannister headlines the entire thing, with the film centering around his splintered idea of reality and perception. Banister is as charming as ever, and it’s great to see where his transformation over the series has lead to, starting out as a happy-go-lucky ice cream man who has now turned into a lean killing machine. Along the way, he’s never lost his everyman charm, or sincerity. As Mike, A. Michael Baldwin gives Bannister an emotional anchor, holding his own throughout the film and with his own set of surprises. Playing the Tall Man for one last time, the late Angus Scrimm is as great as ever. His piercing gaze and intimidating, looming presence is still irresistible. He gives himself completely to the roll, bringing a tongue-in-check villainy that treads a line between sinister and fun. As one of the rebel soldiers, Chunk, played by Stephen Jutras, is a blast of new blood, reinvigorating a few scenes and adding excitement with his offbeat humor and commitment to absurdity. Of course, there are a few cameos throughout, so make sure to stick through the credits.
The best thing about Phantasm: Ravager is that it feels like the series is going out on its own terms. It’s defiantly outlandish, leaves things in a fitting kind of stasis, and most importantly, has a lot of heart. You can sense the passion within the film’s irreverence, and it pays off here in full, with an ambitious last stand that equates to B-movie heaven. We’ll see you in our dreams Tall Man…
SG
