Phantasm (film): Difference between revisions

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To date, four films have been made, the most popular being the 1979 original, which remains a [[Cult Classic]] admired for its atmosphere and originality. With ''Phantasm II'' in 1988, the series shifted away from quiet, creepy horror, giving the heroes some cool weapons and upping the excitement. 1994's ''Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead'' is more of the same with added comedy, while 1998's ''Phantasm IV: Oblivion'' is a lot more subdued, and takes time to explore (if not explain) things hitherto unexplored in the series, such as the possible origins of the Tall Man.

It is fair to say that the rules of [[Rule of Cool|cool]] and [[Rule of Scary|scary]] are the guiding principles of the series. [[~~Bellisarios Maxim|~~Bellisario's Maxim]] probably applies. While a coherent plot would have been nice, the films are entertaining enough and brimming with such memorable horrors - the [[Was Once a Man|ex-human]] lurkers, the brain-drilling flying spheres, Angus Scrimm playing the magnificently frightening Tall Man himself - that it hardly matters.

It is fair to say that the rules of [[Rule of Cool|cool]] and [[Rule of Scary|scary]] are the guiding principles of the series. [[Bellisario's Maxim]] probably applies. While a coherent plot would have been nice, the films are entertaining enough and brimming with such memorable horrors - the [[Was Once a Man|ex-human]] lurkers, the brain-drilling flying spheres, Angus Scrimm playing the magnificently frightening Tall Man himself - that it hardly matters.

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* [[Spirit Advisor]]: {{spoiler|Jody}} to Mike and Reggie.

* [[Sudden Sequel Death Syndrome]]: {{spoiler|Liz.}}

* [[Super Strength]]: The Tall Man, who despite his frail (yet imposing) frame, has demonstrated strength of the [[Neck Lift]], [[Barrier Busting Blow]], and [[Hoist Hero Over Head]] varieties. As a matter of fact, one of the first clues that there was something odd about the [[Creepy Mortician]] skulking around the local cemetery was Mike witnessing him ''heave a loaded casket into the back of a hearse''. With '''one arm'''.

* [[Super Strength]]: The Tall Man, who despite his frail (yet imposing) frame, has demonstrated strength of the [[Neck Lift]], [[Barrier-Busting Blow]], and [[Hoist Hero Over Head]] varieties. As a matter of fact, one of the first clues that there was something odd about the [[Creepy Mortician]] skulking around the local cemetery was Mike witnessing him ''heave a loaded casket into the back of a hearse''. With '''one arm'''.

* [[This Is a Drill]]: The silver spheres kill by drilling into the brain and spitting the blood out the end.

* [[Undignified Death]]; The caretaker in the first film. Not only is he the first Sphere kill in the films but {{spoiler|he then urinates himself all over the floor when he hits the ground.}}