Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Phantasm Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman April 7, 2017

Note: This version of the film is available as part of The Phantasm Collection.

It really hasn’t been all that long since Well Go USA released both Phantasm and Phantasm: Ravager on Blu- ray, and so the label’s decision just a few months later to revisit the Phantasm well with a new Phantasm Collection may seem at least a little risky, perhaps especially considering the fact that Shout! Factory offered up Phantasm II in its own “Collector’s Edition” several years ago, a version which is included in this release down to the Shout! banner at disc boot up. That would mean that some devoted Phantasm fans may already have three of the five films, albeit perhaps not in the version presented on this release with regard to the first and fifth film, since Well Go USA has sweetened the pot and offered up a handsomely packaged deluxe set with this new release, one with quite a bit of new bonus material (even for some of the previously released Well Go versions) and an in depth book as added allure.

Because Well Go USA has released this film with additional bonus content, this review's content will focus mostly on the supplementary material. For my thoughts on the film, please our original Phantasm Blu-ray review of the first Well Go USA release.

Phantasm Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Well Go USA has gone the extra mile by releasing this new version on a BD-50 as opposed to the first version's BD-25. That first version had a file size of around 16GB (give or take) while this new version boasts a significantly larger 28GB (again, give or take). To be frank, I didn't really have any major qualms with the video presentation on the first release, but I'm pleased to say that even any passing (and frankly pretty minimal) compression issues that were present on the first release have been ameliorated or even outright negated on this new release. For my general thoughts on the appearance of the transfer, please see our original Phantasm Blu-ray review.

Phantasm Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Well Go USA has upped the audio ante on this release, by making the two "supplementary" audio choices lossless this time around, with DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono mixes (our specs above include both 2.0 and Mono for clarity's sake). The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix on this release sounds identical to me to the one described in our original Phantasm Blu-ray review. The lossless versions of the two other tracks do help to up low end especially as well as to provide an overall fuller sound. I've upped the score for this release to indicate appreciation for the lossless presentation on all three tracks, especially since one of my few minor qualms with the first release was that it was housed on a BD-25, something that may have led to lossy "supplementary" audio tracks (as mentioned in my closing comments of that first review).

Phantasm Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This edition of Phantasm ports over the following supplements from the original Well Go USA release (some of the timings are just slightly different now, and the resolution has been upped from 480i to 1080p in some cases--consult our original Phantasm Blu-ray review to compare timings and resolutions):

• Graveyard Carz Episode (1080p; 11:23) is a fun vignette with Don Coscarelli and A. Michael Baldwin.


• Interviews from 1979 (1080p; 28:04) is an older tv show with Coscarelli and Angus Scrimm.


• Deleted Scenes: (1080p; 10:04) are now authored together rather than separately as on the first release.


• Phantasm 1979 Trailer (1080p; 2:15)


• Remastered Trailer (1080p; 1:52)


• Audio Commentary features Don Coscarelli, A. Michael Baldwin, Angus Scrimm and Bill Thornbury.

In addition, this version offers these new supplements:

• Interview Outtakes (1080i; 4:39)


• Phantasm Behind the Scenes Home Movies (1080p; 20:08)


• Additional Home Movies (1080i; 19:03) have no sound.


• TV Spots (1080p; 3:12)


• Radio Spots (2:35)


• Angus Scrimm 1989 Convention Appearance (1080p; 9:59)


• Fangoria 1988 Commercial With Angus Scrimm (1080p; 00:53)


• Still Gallery (1080p; 6:52) defaults to an Auto Advance option, but also allows for Manual Advance.


• Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Don Coscarelli, Co-Producer Paul Pepperman and Visual Consultant Robert Quezeda

Phantasm Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

This is the rare case where those with qualms about double dipping probably shouldn't have any. With more supplements and a more technically proficient video and audio presentation, this is a "no brainer", which in the context of what's housed in the silver spheres, seems perfectly appropriate. Highly recommended.