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Full disclosure: Phantasm II is my least favorite Phantasm movie. Fuller disclosure: the Phantasm movies comprise my favorite horror franchise, making the first point irrelevant to anyone else except my feeble little mind. So, even though it sits last on my roster, it’s still one of ’88's best horror movies, loaded with non-stop action, top-notch effects, and another towering and glowering turn by Angus Scrimm as The Tall Man. This is the super-sized and slick Phantasm movie that a lot of folks turn to when they have to scratch that graveyard itch.

To be honest, I wasn’t even aware that a sequel was on the horizon when I opened my local newspaper that hot summer night in ’88 looking for something to watch on the big screen. Yet there it was in the ad: the unmistakable glare of Scrimm, two unrecognizable teens, and series mastermind Don Coscarelli’s name plastered all over it.

Reviewed By: Chris Wright, Morehorror.com

Directed By: Don Coscarelli

Written By: Don Coscarelli

Starring: James Le Gros (Mike), Reggie Bannister (Reggie), Angus Scrimm (The Tall Man), Paula Irvine (Liz), Samantha Phillips (Alchemy), Kenneth Tigar (Father Meyers), Ruth C. Engel (Grandma), Mark Anthony Major (Mortician), Rubin Kushner (Grandpa), Stacey Travis (Jeri), J. Patrick McNamara (Psychologist)

“You think when you die you go to heaven? You come to us!” “Phantasm II” picks up initially where the original left off; despite the fact the original was made 9 years prior to this film, which quickly fast forwards to the present. It’s risky tackling a sequel after this much time has passed, but Don Coscarelli pulled it off pretty good. It helped further solidify my love for this series!

The plot takes place with Mike (James LeGros) leaving his psychiatry unit after all these years after he convinces them he no longer believes...

Phantasm II is one of the best representations of the Hollywood horror movie boom of the 1980s. After years of genre filmmakers scrambling for cash to get their productions up and running, many studios were looking to cash in on the terror craze. Universal chose to throw money at Phantasm and give it the opportunity to go bigger and better.

This sequel picks up immediately after the first film. Mike convinces Reggie they must track down the Tall Man before he and his minions kill everyone in their path. The two go on the road, traveling one dead town to the next while following a trail of unearthed graveyards.

Director Don Coscarelli did what any filmmaker would do in his position. He took the studio's money and ran with it. Phantasm II is a horror spectacle to be seen. He ups the ante on everything. There are huge explosions, more mechanical flying balls,...

When someone mentions the Phantasm series, The Tall Man is the first thing that comes to mind. Who is he? Where does he come from? Our only information about him is that he poses as a mortician and is bent on turning human corpses into little dwarf creatures, but even the reason for this is a total mystery. The old adage of “the less you know about something the scarier it is” definitely applies, and the enigmatic nature of the character I beg is much of his appeal.

Phantasm II has this cosmic undertaker being hunted by Reggie (Reggie Bannister) and Mike (James LeGros) seven years after the events of the first film. After a stay in a mental hospital, Mike reunites with Reggie to destroy the interplanetary evil and save the human race. This is a road trip movie at its heart, and while on their journey, the two...

Chicago – Real horror fans know the names Don Coscarelli & Stuart Gordon. They are two of the most important genre directors of the ’80s, men who found ways to get their visions to the screen and redefined the cult horror film in general. Coscarelli made his biggest waves with the “Phantasm” films (and later with “Bubba Ho-Tep”) while Gordon’s biggest hit is probably still “Re-Animator,” although is closely followed by “From Beyond.” That sci-fi/horror masterpiece was just released in a lavish new Blu-ray edition with Coscarelli’s attempt at studio game, “Phantasm II”. Both are must-owns for horror fans.

“From Beyond” is the better of the two films but I must admit that “Phantasm II” is significantly better than I remembered. I had kind of lumped it in my memory with the inferior sequels and forget how much fun Coscarelli was allowed to have with his bigger budget while...

I’m a bit of secret fan of Phantasm II. Whereas the first film was a lucid waking nightmare, Phantasm II hit its hardest like that great sequel, Aliens, in every single way. Plus, a four barreled shotgun is always freaking cool no matter what. Scream Factory sent along specs, cover art and ordering links for the home video release of that film, and the Empire classic From Beyond, released on March 5th, and March 26th respectively.

Phantasm II Collector’s Edition

The Tall Man is back with a vengeance inPhantasm II, the second chapter in the cult classic Phantasm series! Released after seven years in a mental hospital, Mike convinces his old pal Reggie to join forces with him to hunt down and destroy The Tall Man once and for all. Mike’s visions lead the two to a quiet little town where a horde of flying killer balls...

Fans of the Phantasm films have been waiting for a more substantial (should we say “ballsy?”) release of the series' second installment, and that day is nearly upon us, thanks to the folks at Shout! Factory. Their horror division Scream! Factory has just announced the complete rundown of bonus features included in their upcoming Collectors Edition of Phantasm II... Audio Commentary with director/writer Don Coscarelli and actors Angus Scrimm and Reggie Banister “The Ball is Back!” Documentary – featuring new interviews with writer/director Don Coscarelli, actors Reggie Banister, Angus Scrimm, Paula Irvine, Samantha Phillips and more Vintage Behind the Scenes footage: Makeup Effects Vintage Behind the Scenes footage: On the Set “The Gory Days with Greg Nicotero” Featurette Deleted Scenes from archival film elements from Don Coscarelli’s archive Additional Scenes – alternate takes and deleted gore footage from the workprint Original TV Spots Trailers for Phantasm , Phantasm II & Phantasm III...

We announced earlier that The Scream Factory would be releasing the classic films From Beyond and Phantasm II onto Blu-ray for the first time here in the States, and now the company has drawn back the curtains a little farther for us to see what to expect from the Tall Man in HD.

From the Press Release:

This spring 2013, Scream Factory further invites horror enthusiasts and movie collectors to feast their eyes on more gory goodness and spark their senses when Don Coscarelli’s Phantasm II Collector’s Edition unleashes on Blu-ray and DVD on March 5, 2013; and H.P. Lovecraft’s From Beyond Collector’s Edition – Unrated Director’s Cut Blu-ray + DVD combo pack hits home entertainment shelves everywhere on March 26, 2013.

Both movies debut for the first time on Blu-ray. Each collector’s edition feature anamorphic widescreen presentation, exciting bonus content, newly rendered retro-style artwork, a reversible wrap with theatrical key art and more!

Phantasm II is one of the many horror classics making its way to Blu-ray thanks to Scream Factory and we now have the list of bonus features assembled for its upcoming collector’s edition release.

Phantasm II Collector’s Edition

“The Tall Man is back with a vengeance in Phantasm II, the second chapter in the cult classic Phantasm series!

Released after seven years in a mental hospital, Mike convinces his old pal Reggie to join forces with him to hunt down and destroy The Tall Man once and for all. Mike’s visions lead the two to a quiet little town where a horde of flying killer balls aim to slice and dice their gruesome way through everyone.

Exploding with special effects, unparalleled thrills, horror and suspense, Phantasm II climaxes with a blood-curdling conclusion that you have to see to believe.”

Widescreen (1.78:1)/DTS Master Audio 2.0, 5.1/1988/Color/95 minutes

Phantasm II...