Jason versus Phantasm

Given the pending release of Phantasm: Ravager, and having only caught the second instalment in Don Coscarelli's cult franchise, I thought it best to go back and watch the entire series from the beginning. So how does the classic first flick stack up? Stick with me!

A young boy and his friends face off against a mysterious grave robber known only as the Tall Man, who keep an arsenal of terrible weapons with him.

This is one weird-ass movie; a dreamlike, often nightmarish film that only explains itself in the last few minutes. That's not to say it isn't a worthwhile ride, because it is, but Phantasm certainly isn't for everyone.

I get why people dig this movie. It's inventive and out there, and totally paved the way for more popular horror franchises like A Nightmare on Elm Street. Angus Scrimm is an iconic villain, as is the infamous ball that drills through people's heads. And there's more than a few shocks and scares.

Emphasis must be made on the movie's nightmare quality. I've never seen a flick that looks, feels and acts like a bad dream as Phantasm does. This goes a long way to the movie's success. That an a stubborn willingness to be it's own entity. I don't think Phantasm or Coscarelli care if we get it, and I respect the movie and the moviemaker for that. Is everything real, or are the events a coping mechanism for the main character, Michael, who recently lost his parents and brother? You decide.

Does this review make sense? I hope so. Suffice to say I'm giving Phantasm a Good, and look forward to checking the rest of the series out.

But it's a weird-ass movie . . .

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