Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead: Review By killerman200

Well, it looks like '93 was it for the Phantasm series, theatrically that is. The crew and everyone were set with the script. The movie was done, but they couldn't handle the budget to put it into theaters, even by putting a year off. Too bad. I guess that's the reason for these films being released every other ten or six years: '78, '88, '94, '98. No wonder the recurring actors looked way older than the last Phantasm you saw them in.

But you know what? Who cares? This movie is good, which is very rare for third installments. Phantasm 3 succeeds where others have failed, which earns this movie it's well deserved credit. New monsters, returning cast members, and cool weapons helped to make this film amazing. Coscarelli does it again by giving his audience another great sequel in this series.

Coscarelli and Reggie Bannister, both did extraodinary jobs with bringing the 'kick-ass, womanizing' role out of the Reggie character. They made this guy into a true hero and memorable, as well. What makes him a great protagonist is that he's a very 'human-acting' character. Most action heroes are kind of stiff and courageous, showing no signs of fear, but Reggie does everything: acts as a comic relief, unsure of himself, courageous and scared at the same time. Not to mention his slick-ass gun. It was good to see Michael Balwin, whom's character's brother is used brilliantly, back in this one, but man, he really turned into a chump, in this film. He just let's the Tall Man push him around and show ownership over him. For at least once, he should just say, "Look, old man, i know your super strong, and you can kick my ass whenever you feel like it. But, I'm going on 30 years old. I ain't no boy. I'm a grown ass man.". Instead, he just allows this freak to operate on him, with no sign of fight. I mean even the little kid, who had some bad-ass skills with that gun, shooting down one of silver balls, showed him up. That's embarrassing. Also, there is the best looking babe I've ever seen in this movie, who can also kick some ass, to add a very good dreamgirl, as well.

Lord of the Dead is mystical and suspenseful. It gives you a puzzle board. Only giving you the side pieces and edges, while holding onto the big main pieces, to keep you begging for more and more. It wets your appetite with thrilling scenes, astonishing visuals. But it doesn't even matter how much you liked or disliked, now. Your on the third chapter. Your in too deep, now, just to leave. You can't leave without seeing the finale. Once you watch anyone of these Phantasm movies, you just can't leave alone in your mind. Hah, those *ssholes who thought this film wasn't going to get noticed, just because it went straight to video. They thought it was all over. IT'S NEVER OVER!