Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead" demonstrates an impressive transfer, offering a resolution of 1080p encoded in MPEG-4 AVC and featuring an aspect ratio shift to 1.78:1 from the original theatrical 1.85:1. Despite being a BD-25, the video quality remains consistent with the Collection version's BD-50, ensuring no noticeable loss in clarity or detail. This installment stands out within the series for its brighter visual tone, with Well Go delivering a commendable performance on this transfer. The film benefits from strong detail fidelity and a crisp overall picture, further enhanced by the vivid daytime sequences.

Depth of field is notably effective, with certain scenes providing a three-dimensional feel that is quite engaging and immersive. The depth and pushback in these moments offer a striking visual experience, while overall image spacing remains solid and free from distortion. Black levels are deep and well-rendered, although occasionally overly consuming, they generally complement the picture with shadows and darkness showing no signs of crushing. Color reproduction is vibrant, possibly the most colorful within the Phantasm series, featuring scenes with vibrant goo, filtered effects, and flashy attire that all add striking pops of color to the presentation.

Furthermore, flesh tones are handled with consistency and naturalness throughout the film, accurately preserving facial textures and details across different distances. Importantly, the transfer maintains a clean image free from noise or distracting artifacts, allowing viewers to fully appreciate the film's visual appeal without interruption. Overall, "Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead" on Blu-ray delivers a visually impressive experience that is both technically proficient and richly engaging.

Well Go USA’s Blu-ray release of "Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead" features audio tracks in English 5.1 and 2.0 DTS-HD, maintaining a high level of clarity and immersion. The 5.1 DTS-HD track stands out for its immersive surround sound experience, providing substantial layering and dynamic use of rear channels, particularly during sequences involving the iconic flying silver balls. The low-frequency extension delivers satisfying punch during action scenes like shotgun blasts and explosions, though it might fall slightly short for those seeking a more intense low-end impact.

Both the 5.1 and 2.0 DTS-HD tracks ensure that dialogue remains crisp and intelligible, with a clear emphasis on diction. Ambient sounds and environmental details are well-represented, with notable moments such as Reggie’s approach to a crackling fire, effectively engaging the rear channels and creating a vivid audio environment. However, the musical score occasionally takes a backseat to other elements of the mix, which may somewhat diminish its overall presence.

Overall, the audio presentation is clean and straightforward with effective panning and ambient sound usage that contributes to an engaging viewing experience. The English SDH subtitles provide an additional layer of accessibility, ensuring that all viewers can enjoy the film’s audio intricacies. While the 5.1 track offers a more aggressive surround sound experience, the 2.0 stereo track remains a reliable option for those who prefer a more straightforward audio presentation.

The Blu-ray release of "Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead" by Well Go USA presents a highly focused set of extras that, while comprehensive for casual viewers, may not fully satisfy hardcore fans expecting more extensive content available in prior editions. The bonus material, although trimmed down to essential elements, offers a fascinating glimpse into the film's behind-the-scenes activities. The disc features an engaging audio commentary with stars A. Michael Baldwin and Angus Scrimm, providing invaluable insights into their experiences. Additionally, the behind-the-scenes featurette captures on-set interactions and Coscarelli’s direction, complementing a brief deleted scene and the original trailer.

Extras included in this disc:

• Phantasm III: Behind the Scenes: A montage of on-set footage showcasing make-up, scene shootings, and cast interaction.
• Deleted Scene: A very brief cut scene from the film.
• Trailer: The original trailer for the movie.
• Audio Commentary with Stars A. Michael Baldwin and Angus Scrimm: Detailed commentary offering insights from the perspective of the stars.

Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead picks up immediately where its predecessor left off, continuing the intense saga of the dreaded Tall Man and his menacing entourage of silver flying spheres, deadly dwarfs, and now, zombies. The story tracks Reggie Bannister (Reggie Bannister) as he teams up with new characters like a hardened young boy (Kevin Connors) and a nunchaku-wielding badass (Gloria Lynne Henry) in an effort to rescue Mike (A. Michael Baldwin) from the clutches of the malevolent Tall Man. This installment showcases Don Coscarelli reclaiming full creative control after the more studio-driven Phantasm II, reintegrating the original cast members such as A. Michael Baldwin and Bill Thornbury. Despite some changes in the roster, the film seizes the opportunity to introduce engaging new characters that enrich the narrative further.

While it's notable that Phantasm III operated on a smaller budget and was released straight-to-video, this does not translate into a noticeable decline in production quality. On the contrary, the film maintains the steamrolling momentum of its predecessor. The blend of road trip elements and horror creates an enduring appeal, cementing Reggie as the main protagonist. The narrative continues its legacy of unexpected twists, delivering a stimulating blend of sci-fi terror, action, and impeccable gore effects. The mausoleum scenes particularly stand out for their eerie atmosphere, which contributes profoundly to the film's signature creepy aesthetic.

One of the film’s strengths lies in its seamless integration of humor amidst the horror, particularly through Reggie's perverse antics and some campy undead adversaries. However, it cannot be denied that this entry has somewhat polarized fans over the years. Despite this, Phantasm III retains much of what made its predecessor engaging—dynamic characters and unpredictable plot developments—while embracing a more campy but enjoyable tone. Overall, it keeps viewers on their toes and effectively carries forward the series’ unique blend of horror and dark humor.

Well Go USA's Blu-ray release of "Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead" offers a solid viewing experience consistent with previous versions, benefiting from a high-quality video transfer and robust audio presentation. The film stands out as a delightful continuation of the series, preserving the stylistic elements from its predecessor while introducing fresh facets. Despite the technical merits being comparable to the initial release, this edition is presented on a BD-25 disc rather than a BD-50, without noticeable degradation in quality.

When it comes to supplementary content, this release falls short. It includes minimal extras such as an audio commentary with A. Michael Baldwin and Angus Scrimm, a vintage behind-the-scenes segment, a brief deleted scene, and several trailers. However, it lacks newer bonus materials featured in the out-of-print Phantasm Collection Box Set, such as additional commentaries and in-depth featurettes. The extras provided are largely recycled from earlier releases and presented in a non-interactive format, making it less appealing for fans who missed the comprehensive box set.

In conclusion, this Blu-ray edition of "Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead" serves as a competent reissue for fans who still seek physical media. However, given its minimalistic extras, it feels like a missed opportunity compared to the richer content found in the now-elusive collection. The technical aspects are commendable, ensuring an enjoyable audiovisual experience, but the lack of new or extensive bonus features might disappoint dedicated aficionados. Nonetheless, it offers an accessible option for those desiring to complete their Phantasm library individually.