WE REACH THE END OF THE PHANTASM SEQUELS WITH PHANTASM: RAVAGER

In the conclusion to the Phantasm franchise, Reggie finds himself unstuck in time (or  is the past, present, future, and all realities converging? Or is he just suffering from dementia?) as he tries to track down The Tall Man in an attempt to end his madness once and for all, and bring back Jody and Mike. 

This final chapter hearkens back to the first Phantasm, and it is closest in tone to the first than any of the other sequels. There are some nice callbacks to previous films (Reggie gets to play his guitar again, SWEET!), but the story is sure to make your head spin, doesn't feel fully thought out, and is even a little slap-dash at times. The effects are also the worst in any of the Phantasm films (They are quite painful on the eyes).

Don Coscarelli returns to co-write and produce Ravager, with newcomer David Hartman co-writing and taking over the director reigns. The flick does tend to feel more than a little like a fan film at times, and the production value is quite poor. The score isn't terrible, but still can't hold a candle to the first Phantasm's.

Angus Scrimm returns for a final time as The Tall Man  and is just as great as ever. He brings it home one final time, and was in the film more than I expected him to be (his first scene had me on the verge of tears as he literally looks like he is on death's door. Luckily, this is the only time in Ravager that he looks like this). A. Michael Baldwin returns as Mike, and while he is sprinkled throughout the film, this is his best performance as Mike since the first Phantasm. Bill Thornbury also makes a small cameo near the end as Jody. He isn't given much to do, and fails to make an impression. 

Reggie Bannister as Reggie is the focus of this outing, and Ravager cements Reggie as the heart and soul of the entire franchise. He is still great, cool, funny, and lovable. Reggie puts on one last memorable performance to close out the story.

While Phantasm: Ravager's ending isn't the most satisfying, this film is still decent (despite most of the minor characters dong bad acting jobs). You can't help but wish we got a more conclusive ending to the franchise, but in the end I'd say that Ravager is still worth a peek for long time Phantasm fans.

2.5 STARS