Watch Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead For Free

It's complicated... I really like the directing, acting and writing but, there are issues with the way it's shot that I just can't deny. As much as I love the storytelling and the fantastic performance but, there are also certain scenes that didn't need to exist.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Escaping from the cemetery, the two friends come together to warn them about The Tall Man and his nefarious plans which leads them to a deserted town where they are able to reclaim their friend from his grasp and luring the group into a final showdown for the fate of mankind.While not as clever or as scary as the first two, this is still a solid, enjoyable entry. One of the film's best factors is that it does some much-needed exposition on the series which was sorely needed at this point as it blends in what has been giving so far. The true story of The Tall Man is given here, and while not exactly clever does have a convincing aura of the series and is nicely appreciated. Finally giving the secret behind the Silver Spheres is also a nice touch, and their revelation is quite spooky and really chilling. There's also no shortage of action in here, from the opening ambush in the cemetery escaping from the original encounter to the dispatch of the crooks around his house and even including the customary hearse chase that ends in a big crash and fireball, which is one of the greatest ones done. There's even a spectacular showdown that takes place in an incredibly chilling Gothic mausoleum, with long, empty corridors, one-off rooms and plenty of equipment inside which is the film's highlight sequence. Filled with inventive fight techniques, some really clever chases and a nonstop pace, this here is a really glorious ending that sends it out on an appropriate high-point. This even manages no shortage of gore here, including the still-messy head-drilling-silver-sphere sequence that still unleashes a gallon of blood, as well as some quite fun kills and plenty of stellar creature effects. The Tall Man is at his most creepy here, finally being able to do something constructive to his evil personality and he even has a really creepy scene, being lit by a suddenly-changing light during a chase down a hallway that only shows his outline in the darkness. With a fun, workman-like pace and a couple of neat throwbacks to the other entries, this here is a pleasantly-entertaining entry as this doesn't have a whole lot of problems. The biggest one here is that the film doesn't make a lot of sense, despite answering several questions about the series. There is still no explanation for what's the actual plan of The Tall Man's attack of where he came from, and these are perfect questions to answer this deep in the series. They prevent it from being a stand-alone film like the first two, which could be enjoyed despite not having seen the other, and this one needs the others to make sense. There's also a couple of unnecessary sequences in here, most noticeably the orphanage scene, that served nothing to the series and doesn't seem to have any reason to be there. These aside, this is a really good overall entry.Rated R: Extreme Graphic Violence, Graphic Language, Nudity and a mild sex scene.

I generally prefer my horror films to have some semblance of internal logic that applies throughout—I don't care how crazy things get, just so long as the film sticks to its own set of rules. I cut the Phantasm films a lot of slack, however, because they're just so much fun.So what if writer/director Don Coscarelli repeatedly changes what is possible within his realm, has his characters come and go at whim (whilst alternating the actor in the role of Mike), adds convenient new details to suit his ever expanding story-line (which I'm positive he is making up as he goes along), and generally plays everything extremely fast and loose? As long as there's plenty of insane action, warped humour, gloopy gore, and flying spheres a-go-go, then I'm one happy chappy.Lord of the Dead follows on immediately from Part 2 and continues in much the same vein, with Reggie (Reggie Bannister) continuing his hunt for The Tall Man after he kills Liz and abducts Mike (A. Michael Baldwin returning to the role). On his quest, Reggie teams up with orphan Tim (Kevin Connors), who is a dab-hand with a razor-edged Frisbee and a crack shot with a pistol, and tough soldier Rocky (Gloria Lynne Henry), who uses her nunchuks to crack skulls and keep men at bay (like Reggie, for example, who takes a shine to her).Phantasm III is a another consistently entertaining entry in the series, with great effects, suitably cheesy performances from its cast, and imaginative direction from Coscarelli; bonkers highlights include Tim's cool booby-trapped house, The Tall Man's severed hands turning into scuttling critters, Reg's erotic dream featuring Rocky, and, of course, lots of outrageous sphere-related carnage, all topped off with the now obligatory 'shock' ending (that is unlikely to catch fans off-guard but which is enjoyable nonetheless).7.5 out of 10, rounded up to 8 for IMDb.

Phantasm III keeps its promise of continuing with the Phantasm story and the Phantasm characters. Mike and Reg are back - and so is Jody from the first Phantasm. And let's not forget one of the creepiest screen villains in the last 30 years - Angus Scrimm as the ubiquitous Tall Man. This time around Reg and Mike continue to battle the Tall Man from the last scene in Phantasm II - eventually Mike is kidnapped and Reg finds some new pals - an eleven year old that has holed himself up in his house whilst battling intruders and killing many of them as well as a martial arts using woman with that Grace Jones look and the sizzle of speech that a film like this needs sometimes. We get the spheres, the mausoleums, the suspenseful, frightening scenes you know are coming but still are ill-prepared for, and some imaginative script-telling and directing from Don Coscarelli. Phantsm III has all that one might look for in a sequel like this and keeps the Phantasm flame burning gloriously brightly. The acting is as always very solid. Reggie Bannister is particularly good in his reprising role, and let's face it when Angus Scrimm says, "BOY!" that he makes even the most lithe heart beat a bit faster. Some of the plot elements like the little eleven year old are somewhat far-fetched as the three thugs in living and non-living form became tiresome. The layout of the film with its vast empty towns and sense of decay in the American heartland as well as the hugely reverential-look given to the mausoleum showcase Coscarelli's skills as a director with a wonderful eye for detail.

Unlike many other reviewers, out of the Phantasm series, I liked this one the best. They really had fun with this one and didn't take themselves too seriously. And it was actually funny!The movie picks up where the second one ended, but I don't think you necessarily need to see the first two movies to enjoy this one. There are plenty of flashbacks and, frankly, it's a pretty crazy story to follow in any case. I think this one actually made more sense than the first two.The first Phantasm was an amateur pet project that was literally a bunch of friends working weekends putting together a horror movie for fun. It was and is a cult hit.The second movie had more money behind it but, in my opinion, tried to take itself a little too seriously for such ridiculous subject matter.For me, this movie had the perfect balance of horror and comedy. It was hilarious, horrific, and sometimes both at the same time. Good fun with decent make-up effects and an amazing car stunt with a hearse. I also really liked the way they introduced one of the main characters, the kid. I could see that idea being a great movie on its own: Home Alone done as a horror movie.In the DVD commentary (yes, believe it or not, I even listened to the commentary) Baldwin asked Angus what the fan reaction to this movie was. He said that people either hated it for the comedy element or loved it because of it. I'm in the latter category.If you're looking for top-notch acting and dialogue or a story that makes sense, this is not your movie. But if you like b-horror movies on the humorous side, I definitely recommend you give this one a shot.