Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge Blu-ray Review
Score: 73
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
Arrow's release of 'Phantom of the Mall: Eric’s Revenge' impresses with solid technical merits and an exceptional extras package, delighting its cult fans.
Disc Release Date
Video: 70
Arrow Video's Blu-ray of 'Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge' delivers a vibrant and engaging 1080p AVC 1.85:1 presentation, enhanced by a 2K restoration from a 35mm interpositive. Despite some graininess and minor shadow crush, it surpasses previous releases with improved detail and lively colors.
Audio: 75
"Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge" boasts a sprightly LPCM 2.0 audio track, delivering clear dialogue and solid midrange support for its eclectic 80s music cues. Despite being mono, it offers decent push and clean sound with no hiss or distortion, ensuring a consistent audio experience. Optional English SDH subtitles are available.
Extra: 86
An expertly crafted Blu-ray collection for 'Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge' boasts engaging featurettes, insightful commentaries delving into production details, and an array of extras including a sturdy slipcase with unique artwork, a 60-page booklet, and a surprise for sleuths.
Movie: 51
Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge struggles with tonal imbalances and cliched slasher elements, yet gains cult status for its campy charm and 80s nostalgia. Despite production drama and script tweaks, it combines an old tale with modern mall chaos, offering some humor and memorable, albeit ghastly, kills.
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Video: 70
Arrow Video's Blu-ray presentation of "Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge" offers a robust AVC encoded 1080p transfer, restoring the film to its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. This release is built upon a newly performed 2K scan of an original 35mm interpositive, undertaken by R3Store Studios in London. Technicolor, Hollywood was instrumental in scanning, while subsequent grading and restoration processes were cohesively executed at R3Store Studios. The video maintains stable stereo audio through a remaster of the original optical sound negatives, supporting the vivid visual soundscape.
The visual quality overall presents an engaging spectacle with vibrant colors characteristic of a late 80s mall setting, featuring hues such as reds, blues, and purples. Despite some passing rough patches, particularly in scenes with extensive shadow where blacks occasionally flirt with blue undertones or present crush, the brightness in well-lit scenes reveals commendable fine detail. Grain appears slightly chunky, with a noticeable yellow tint at times—nonetheless, this uniform granularity adds to the nostalgic ambiance. While minor age-related wear is detectable, it’s negligible against the comprehensive enhancement over previous VHS and DVD incarnations.
This rendition meticulously respects its source material, offering significant improvements in depth and detail compared to preceding home video releases. Despite being derivative of a generational intermediate from the original negative, filmed with Panaflex cameras and Panavision lenses, it preserves natural skin tones effectively and maintains color delineation through most scenes. Ultimately, Arrow's release triumphs as a commemoration of "Phantom of the Mall," successfully revitalizing this cult favorite's visual appeal while addressing the inherent challenges presented by its archival foundation.
Audio: 75
The audio presentation of "Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge" on Blu-Ray showcases an LPCM 2.0 track that efficiently supports the film's quirky dialogue and integrates source cues from obscure 80s bands. Noteworthy is the solid midrange, which enhances various musical moments, providing a robust auditory experience. Dialogue is delivered with clarity throughout, ensuring that viewers can easily follow the film's narrative. The inclusion of optional English subtitles adds an extra layer of accessibility.
This English 2.0 mono LPCM track, despite its single-channel origin, offers a commendable auditory push, particularly in its score and music elements. Dialogue exchanges are maintained at a discernible level, even with Eric's distinctive processed vocals appearing later in the movie. Sound effects vary from crisp to conventional but are consistently clean without any residual hiss, crackle, distortion, or dropouts. This makes for a purified listening experience that maintains the integrity of the film's original sound design. Overall, the audio track provides a solid technical foundation for the film, balancing music and dialogue effectively.
Extras: 86
The Blu-ray extras for "Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge" offer a comprehensive exploration of the film's production and cultural impact. Notable inclusions are the engaging audio commentaries, with director Richard Friedman and Michael Felsher providing insights into the film's creation, while Ewan Cant and Amanda Reyes deliver a detailed analysis of its production nuances. Complementing the commentaries are audio interviews featuring composer Stacy Widelitz and associate producer Robert J. Koster, which present lively discussions on their careers and contributions to the film. The "Shop 'Til You Drop" featurette is particularly compelling, offering in-depth interviews that enrich the viewer's understanding. The bonus content is further enhanced by a robust assortment of trailers, deleted scenes, and a thought-provoking TV Cut that presents alternate edits. Arrow Video has encapsulated these elements within an elaborate package that includes reversible artwork, a detailed booklet, and a surprise for audiences.
Extras included in this disc:
- Audio Commentary with Richard Friedman: Discusses the director's background and film production thoughts.
- Audio Commentary with Ewan Cant and Amanda Reyes: Analyzes cast, crew, and original script intricacies.
- Audio Interviews with Stacy Widelitz and Robert J. Koster: Features career insights and film-making experiences.
- Shop 'Til You Drop: The Making of Phantom of the Mall: Engaging featurette with in-depth interviews.
- The Vandals Go to the Mall: Interview with Joe Escalante about the film's theme song.
- Alternate and Deleted Scenes: Content from the TV Cut.
- Domestic Trailer: Original trailer presentation.
- International Trailer: Alternative trailer version.
- Image Gallery: Collection of promotional images.
- TV Cut: Recreation with unique scenes in standard definition.
- Composite Phan Cut: Combines footage from Theatrical and TV Cuts.
Movie: 51
"Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge" encapsulates the classic 80s slasher aesthetic but struggles with an identity crisis, fluctuating between horror and unintentional comedy. The film's notable inclusion in VHS rental history and as a TV staple owes much to its blend of cast-driven intrigue and peculiar camp, featuring pop culture icons like Morgan Fairchild and Pauly Shore. However, once the film transitions to its core narrative, expectations may fizzle due to exaggerated performances that veer more towards desperation than drama. Directors Richard Friedman anchors his project within familiar slasher tropes akin to "Doom Asylum" and "Scared Stiff," offering just enough to surpass mediocrity but lacking cohesion.
The screenplay, co-written by Scott J. Schneid and Tony Michelman and later modified by Robert King, adapts Gaston Leroux’s tale into a late 20th-century shopping mall context. This initial creative endeavor aimed to transpose the phantom mythos into a modern domain, subverting the notion that a bustling mall lacked inherent terror. Yet, the inconsistent tone and character dynamics significantly dilute potential suspense. Eric, played by Derek Rydall, embodies the titular phantom lurking beneath the commercial veneer, exacting vengeance intertwined with stale romantic motivations involving Melody (Kari Whitman) and her friend Susie (Kimber Sissons). The narrative meanders through an anthology of threats rather than honing the haunting ethos characteristic of its source material.
Visually, "Phantom of the Mall" offers sporadic gruesome sequences without surpassing expectations for gory inventiveness. Critics frequently cite tonal imbalances as a pivotal flaw, suggesting a straight-up parody might have served better than this eccentric fusion. As discussed in supplemental material on the Blu-ray release, behind-the-scenes discourse reflects an intriguing parallel to the chaos portrayed onscreen, highlighting interwoven tensions among the film’s creators. Despite its shortcomings, the film stands as an intriguing artifact of its era, meriting examination as much for its internal production drama as for its narrative aspirations.
Total: 73
Arrow Video's Blu-ray release of "Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge" successfully elevates this cult classic through its meticulous presentation and generous supplementary offerings. This package includes multiple versions of the film which cater to both new viewers and long-time fans, providing an enriched viewing experience. The technical aspects of the release are commendable, with solid video and audio quality that enhance the eerie atmosphere of the film. The restoration effort is evident in the clarity and fidelity across different formats, catering to enthusiasts who appreciate a well-executed preservation.
The standout feature of this release is the comprehensive extras package, which offers an in-depth look into the film’s production history and legacy. These supplements include an engaging making-of featurette, interviews with cast and crew, and archival materials, which add significant value for fans and collectors. Arrow Video continues to set a high standard for genre film releases, ensuring that viewers not only enjoy the film but also gain a deeper understanding of its uniqueness within the horror landscape.
In conclusion, while "Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge" might not offer a fresh take on Gaston Leroux's tale compared to other adaptations like "Phantom of the Paradise", it remains a distinctive entry for its quirky charm. Arrow Video’s release is a definitive edition for those who appreciate niche films, providing quality and depth beyond the original cinematic experience. For fans and collectors, this Blu-ray serves as an impressive homage to a film that has withstood the test of time due to its dedicated following and unique approach within the horror genre.
Blu-ray.com review by Jeffrey KauffmanRead review here
Video: 70
The bulk of the film pops very well, with good densities and a rather vibrant accounting of an almost candy colored palette....
Audio: 80
Eric's Revenge features a spry sounding LPCM 2.0 track that offers good, consistent support for the film's daffy dialogue and some source cues by bands even diehard 80s aficionados have probably never...
Extras: 80
Image Gallery (HD) Disc Two TV Cut (HD; 1:28:36) is a "recreation" of the TV Cut, containing alternate, re-edited and deleted scenes, which includes some standard definition inserts for footage unique...
Movie: 40
like Morgan Fairchild and Pauly Shore, which may temporarily raise fans' hopes that the film will at least offer some camptastic allure, but once the actual movie stars, those hopes will probably deflate...
Total: 50
It might be interesting for Schneid and Michelman to resurrect their original concept and see if they might be able to get it made the way they initially wanted, but that might presuppose the two are actually...
The Digital Bits review by Tim SalmonsRead review here
Video: 85
Depth and detail are much improved over lower grade VHS and DVD releases, though a tad soft due to being a generation away from the original camera negative....
Audio: 85
Dialogue exchanges are discernible, even when Eric’s processed vocals kick in late in the film, while sound effects range from crisp to stock in nature....
Extras: 100
The first commentary featuring director Richard Friedman and Michael Felsher is a pleasant discussion between the two about Friedman’s background, the making of the film, and his thoughts on it....
Movie: 70
Certainly not one of the top horror films of its era, it managed to eke out a minor cult following with genre fans who appreciated it for its cast, its camp, and its attempts at mixing an age old tale...
Total: 85
Eric’s Revenge, as well as the excellent extras package that accompanies them, definitely enhances the appreciation of the film more than anything else....
Director: Richard Friedman
Actors: Derek Rydall, Jonathan Goldsmith, Rob Estes
PlotA brand-new mall opens to the public amidst celebrations and eager shoppers. However, it harbors dark secrets. Beneath its bustling surface, a disfigured young man named Eric hides within the labyrinthine structure, seeking revenge for the fire that previously destroyed his home and left him for dead. As the mall's construction was responsible for his tragedy, Eric vows to make those responsible pay for their misdeeds. Unbeknownst to the patrons and staff, he has made his home in the hidden crawl spaces and storage areas, watching their every move. His presence is first hinted at through a series of mysterious and frightening incidents, witnessed by various employees and guests who start to suspect that something is amiss.
Eric's former girlfriend, Melody, who believes him to be dead, starts working at the mall alongside her friend, Buzz. Melody begins to notice strange occurrences around them as customers vanish without explanation and unexplained accidents occur. While investigating these incidents with Buzz, she experiences eerie encounters and hears rumors of a 'phantom' haunting the premises. As she delves deeper into the mall's mysteries, Melody begins to suspect that Eric may be alive and closer than she ever imagined. Her search intensifies as she doggedly pursues the shadowy figure lurking in the mall's shadows, unaware that his thirst for vengeance could have dire consequences for everyone involved. With the mall’s sinister underbelly revealed, Melody must piece together Eric’s story before it's too late.
Writers: Scott Schneid, Frederick R. Ulrich, Tony Michelman
Release Date: 01 Dec 1989
Runtime: 91 min
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English