"Phantasm II": The Tall Man's Back (and So is the Fun?)

Okay, so I finally got around to watching "Phantasm II." I know, I know, I'm late to the party. Been diving deep into Kurosawa lately, but I needed a good dose of 80s horror cheese. And boy, did this deliver! The first "Phantasm" was...well, it was weird, dreamlike, and a bit low-budget. This sequel definitely cranks up the special effects (sometimes for the better, sometimes...not so much, haha). The flying spheres are still terrifying though, particularly how they latch onto people's heads. And The Tall Man... Angus Scrimm owned that role. So imposing and creepy, especially with that menacing stare. Mike (James Le Gros this time, instead of A. Michael Baldwin) and Reggie are a fun duo. Their dynamic is quite entertaining. I have to admit, Mike's dream sequences with Liz were a bit... odd? I'm not sure if it really added much to the story. Honestly, some of the dialogue felt a little clunky, but hey that's part of the 80s charm, right? Especially the bits with the priests? Just over-the-top! Remember that one scene in the mausoleum? That was insane! I think what I enjoyed most was the unapologetic commitment to the bizarre. It doesn't try to explain too much, it just throws you into this nightmarish world and hopes you can keep up. The pacing is pretty relentless too, which keeps you engaged. Overall, "Phantasm II" is a solid sequel that ups the ante on the crazy. Is it high art? Absolutely not. But is it a fun, gory, and memorably weird experience? Absolutely. Defintiely a watch with the lights off!