Battle #226: Phantasm (1979) VS Phantasm 2 (1988)

[Hellbilly]

http://www.christalfilms.com/officialsites/weekend1000thrills/images/phantasm.jpg VS http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/~madison/worst/occult/phantasm/phantasm2.gif

[maybrick]

PHANTASM 2 was compromised by mainstream Hollywood studio interference. Universal insisted upon a standard linear storyline and a prettyboy in the lead. It's a good film for what it is, but it could have been so much better.

[Agent Z]

First!!! (Damn!)

Second!!!

Phantasm!

I like the sequel, but all the polish and higher budget can't capture the unique feel of the original.

[MorallySound]

Phantasm II.

[thrashard76]

Phantasm 2

[fceurich39]

love em all went with the fisrt one of course

[zompirejoe]

i think the first one stands the test of time a lot better than the other three(minus the '70's fashions, which kind of add to the films charm)

[maybrick]

i think the first one stands the test of time a lot better than the other three(minus the '70's fashions, which kind of add to the films charm)

I agree and actually, 70s fashion is "in" right now. If one of them is more out of date in that regard, it's PHANTASM II. Anybody caught dead with the main chick's hair today would be completely disregarded as trailer trash.

[evildeadfan123]

Love them both, but have to go with Phantasm. Saw it at a Drive-In Theater when it first opened.

[Shokk]

The original Phantasm is a great example of budget filmaking and still pretty damn effective as of today.The sequel is fun and ups the gore but cannot touch the original.

[satans-sadists]

The original Phantasm is a great example of budget filmaking and still pretty damn effective as of today.The sequel is fun and ups the gore but cannot touch the original.

Well spoken, I totally agree! The original is a creepy little film that holds up very well. I love The Dunsmuir House. That was a great shooting location. It was also used for Burnt Offerings.

[Erick H.]

I just watched the whole box set last month and with them fresh in my mind I'll vote for the original PHANTASM.It's the template for the whole series and has that unique feel that only low budget horror films of that era have.

[DrHerbertWest]

Still haven't seen the second one (or the third one). Just the 1st & 4th. I'm voting for Phantasm, mainly because it's hard for me to fathom any sequel beating it out.

[Bobbywoodhogan]

I think Phantasm 2 is the best of the films, 3 and 4 suck and 1 is just OK but I really I enjoyed 2.

[RyanPC]

I love them all, but I had to go with the original because overall it's the best film in the series.

[shape22]

2 is definitely paced more like today's horror flicks, which is probably a big selling point for some. I enjoy it a lot. But I prefer the original. It was definitely a more original work.

[zompirejoe]

i used to watch PHANTASM and A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET back to back quite a bit. ANOES seem to "borrow" a few things from PHANTASM (more than once). it's understandable because they are both about dreams, hallucinations, and boogeymen. but i'll always love PHANTASM more. part 2 was kind of an uneven film, but i dig it as well. it's just amazing to me that this little film that i saw in a drive in as a child has been so influential, and it deserves the recognition. and yes i agree that Cammy's hair in the 2nd one is heinous.....:D

[DVD-fanatic-9]

Phantasm II was awful. I went with Phantasm.