PHANTASM: RAVAGER (2016) Reviews and overview

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‘The final game now begins’

Phantasm: RaVager is a 2016 American supernatural horror film directed by David Hartman from a screenplay co-written with the director of the first four Phantasm films, Don Coscarelli.

Director David Hartman has said: “Having worked with Don [Coscarelli] before, and being a huge fan of the entire Phantasm franchise, it was a great honor to do RaVager with him. This film is a real turning point in the series. There’s real closure for the core characters that I hope fans will respond to. We were fortunate to shoot amazing new sequences with horror icon Angus Scrimm—he has terrific scenes with Reggie (Bannister) and Mike (Michael Baldwin) that are truly powerful.”

The movie stars Michael Baldwin, Bill Thornbury, Kat Lester and Angus Scrimm.

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Buy: Amazon.co.uk

  • All 5 Phantasm movies together on Blu-ray for the first time!
  • Limited Edition Bonus Disc featuring Exclusive Pheatures
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for all films
  • Exclusive 152-page book with new writing on the Phantasm universe from Kim Newman and Bill Ackerman alongside a wealth of archive material, all fully illustrated with original stills and posters
  • Replica Phantasm Sphere
  • Limited Edition Packaging with newly-commissioned artwork from Gary Pullin

Reviews:

“Coscarelli’s original movie has just been restored and re-released theatrically, and on VOD: why not just revisit it? The additional elements that Ravager supplies are negligible, and the CGI-intensive action scenes are distractingly ugly-looking. The camerawork is also amateurish, and the film’s drab, undistinguished dialogue is only interesting when it’s explicitly calling back to the original Phantasm.” Simon Abrams, RogerEbert.com

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“Does Phantasm: RaVager live up to its promise of a satisfying end to the long-running series? Yes and no. It is heartwarming to see the old gang back together again after all these years, and viewers invested in the relationships between Mike, Jody, and Reggie will find closure there. But in terms of the core conflict of the series—the ultimate showdown between Reggie and The Tall Man—RaVager whiffs, hard.” Katie Rife, A.V. Club

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“To say Phantasm: RaVager is rough around the edges might be the understatement of the century – it’s rough, period. That said, Phantasm fans will find all the necessary charms they’re looking for. Tenacious, scrappy supernatural storytelling that deals with life, death and a fearful obsession with the unknown. Who needs “quality” filmmaking when your movie has spunk, moxie and heart?” Matt Donato, We Got This Covered

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Phantasm: Ravager raises more questions than it answers, but it’s a Phantasm movie through and through, made with love for the fans of the series. Its heart was in the right place even if its shortcomings will likely turn casual viewers away. As it is, it’s still a fun sequel that fans should get some enjoyment out of and a fitting end for the series as a whole.” Joseph Lee, 411 Mania

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