35 Years Later, ‘Phantasm II’ Remains the Franchise’s Most Accessible

I love the Phantasm franchise. The first four films give me such comfort with their depictions of parallel worlds and commentary on the nature of grief. And even the fifth has its moments. I came to love the series via the first chapter and would argue that it is easily the best of the bunch. However, I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s the most accessible in the series canon. That distinction belongs to Phantasm II. The second franchise installment had the biggest budget, the widest release, and probably stands as the least surreal of the series’ five installments. 

With Phantasm II celebrating its 35th anniversary on July 8, now is the perfect time to look back on what makes it so captivating and why it stands as a logical entry point for the uninducted. 

Phantasm II catches up with Mike (James Le Gros in this chapter) and Reggie (Reggie Bannister) several years after the events of the first film. We learn that Mike has been committed to a mental health facility because of his insistence that a sinister undertaker (known as The Tall Man) who killed his parents and brother is now after him. To secure release from the facility, he lies and says The Tall Man was all in his mind. Following his departure from the hospital, Mike and Reggie hit the road to chase The Tall Man and attempt to stop his escalating reign of terror with an array of custom-made weaponry and Reggie’s signature ride: A Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda.   

Well, I told you Phantasm II serves as the most accessible entry point to the series and now it’s time for me to back that claim up. For starters, the second film is quite a bit more straightforward than the original (and most of the other sequels, for that matter). The first series installment is steeped in dream logic and exists in a hazy landscape where it’s often unclear where the dream stops and reality starts (even after repeat visits). That works well on an artistic level and it makes for a great viewing experience. But for someone that doesn’t immediately embrace the macabre or surrealism, it can be a challenging entry point to the Phantasm series.  

Starting with the second installment in a franchise is sometimes a recipe for disaster. But not in this case. If you haven’t seen the first, no problem. Phantasm II recaps the events of the first film before carving out a path that’s pretty straightforward and relatively easy to follow. Accordingly, it’s a great place to start if you’re new to the property.

In addition to being especially accessible, Phantasm II is also responsible for the introduction of some heavy-duty weaponry that makes its mark on the series. Early on, Mike and The Reg Man help themselves to the inventory at a shuttered gun shop and use the premises to craft a quadruple-barreled sawed-off shotgun that ultimately becomes Reggie’s signature weapon. 

Aside from being an accessible entry point to the series, Phantasm II also marks the point where the franchise seemingly found its rhythm. The third and fourth films continue the road horror theme established here. This flick also imbues the series with the signature sense of humor for which it has since become known. Reggie had a couple of great one-liners in the first. But he really comes into his own as an action-horror hero here. 

My only real qualm with Phantasm II is that the studio insisted on replacing A. Michael Baldwin as Mike. They argued that the young thespian had been out of the industry for too long. As a result, James Le Gros stepped in. Le Gros did a fine job in the role, but Baldwin is the missing link. Le Gros makes Mike more confident and even a bit aloof, whereas Baldwin’s Mike was more reserved and contemplative. Even fragile. Every actor brings nuance to a role. But I think Mike works better when he’s played as more vulnerable. It makes him more relatable to the audience and it allows the danger that looms to feel even more imminent. With all that said, the casting switch-up is a fairly minor complaint and Phantasm II is pretty terrific exactly as it is.

All things considered, Phantasm II is an impressive sequel that set the tone for future franchise installments. Moreover, the film manages to serve as easily the most accessible starting point for anyone unfamiliar with the series.

If you’re due for a rewatch or keen to check the film out for the first time, I am sorry to say that it isn’t streaming free of charge anywhere right now. But it is available as a digital download or rental and on physical media. 

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