Phantasm IV: Oblivion (1998)

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Director:

Don Coscarelli

Writers (WGA):

Don Coscarelli (characters)
Don Coscarelli (written by)

Release Date:

13 October 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Fantasy | Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

The sequel with balls!

Plot:

Taking off immediately where the last one ended, in this episode Mike travels across dimensions and time fleeing from the Tall Man...

Plot Keywords:

Tall Man | Undead | Dwarf | Grave Robbing | Mausoleum

Cast

A. Michael Baldwin	...	Mike
Reggie Bannister	...	Reggie
Bill Thornbury	...	Jody
Heidi Marnhout	...	Jennifer
Bob Ivy	...	Demon Trooper
Angus Scrimm	...	The Tall Man / Dr. Jebediah Morningside
Christopher L. Stone	...	Music & Dwarf Creatures (voice) (as Christopher Stone)
Chloe Kay	...	Background Player
Sylvia Flammer	...	Background Player
David Gasster	...	Background Player
Sasha Kassel	...	Background Player
Aidan Kassel	...	Background Player
Eric Avary	...	13th Morningside Volunteer Infantryman
Andy John	...	13th Morningside Volunteer Infantryman
George A. Craig	...	13th Morningside Volunteer Infantryman
Steven C. Kassel	...	13th Morningside Volunteer Infantryman
Robert Gates	...	13th Morningside Volunteer Infantryman
Todd Mecklem	...	13th Morningside Volunteer Infantryman
Jason Jacobs	...	13th Morningside Volunteer Infantryman
Michael Perkins	...	13th Morningside Volunteer Infantryman
Colin Jessup	...	13th Morningside Volunteer Infantryman
Stanley Potter	...	13th Morningside Volunteer Infantryman
Yrava Regor	...	13th Morningside Volunteer Infantryman
Brett Schweinfurth	...	13th Morningside Volunteer Infantryman
Robert Tomaszewski	...	13th Morningside Volunteer Infantryman
Roger Avary	...	13th Morningside Volunteer Infantryman (as Yrava Regor)

Directed by
Don Coscarelli

Writing credits (WGA)
Don Coscarelli		(characters)
Don Coscarelli		(written by)

Produced by
A. Michael Baldwin	....	co-producer
Don Coscarelli	....	producer

Original Music by
Reggie Bannister
Steve Morrell
Fred Myrow
Malcolm Seagrave
Christopher L. Stone

Cinematography by
Chris Chomyn

Film Editing by
Scott J. Gill

Production Design by
Naython Vane		(as Naython Williams)

Art Direction by
Mike Roth

Set Decoration by
Brett Schweinfurth

Costume Design by
Shelley Kay

Makeup Department
Soo-Jin Yoon	....	chief hair stylist
Soo-Jin Yoon	....	chief makeup artist

Production Management
Rosa Gonzalez	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jeff Shiffman	....	first assistant director
Dawn Stewart	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Kristen Deem	....	property master

Sound Department
Kevin Jones	....	sound
Michael Kreple	....	adr supervisor
Greg Mauer	....	foley editor
Peggy McAffee	....	sound effects editor
Paul N.J. Ottosson	....	sound designer
Rick Owens	....	foley artist
Jonathan Wales	....	sound re-recording mixer

Special Effects by
Chris Hanson	....	special effects makeup
Gigi Fast Elk Porter	....	special affects makeup coordinator

Visual Effects by
D. Kerry Prior	....	visual effects creator

Stunts
Bob Ivy	....	stunt coordinator
Bob Ivy	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Colin Hudson	....	Steadicam operator
Adam Janeiro	....	director of photography: additional photography
Scott Libolt	....	still photographer
Peyton Skelton	....	gaffer
Daniel Trachtenberg	....	key grip
Joe Waistell	....	first assistant camera
Justin Zaharczuk	....	assistant camera

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Kristen Deem	....	costumer

Editorial Department
Donald Milne	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Jon Lewin	....	music editor

Other crew
Kristen Deem	....	script supervisor
Guy Thorpe	....	funeral coach coordinator
Guy Thorpe	....	hearse coordinator

Thanks
Roger Avary	....	special thanks

Distributors

• Warner Bros. Pictures (1998) (USA) (theatrical)
• AVU-Video-Vertriebs-GmbH (2001) (Germany) (DVD)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• Beam Entertainment (????) (Japan) (DVD)
• Creative Axa Co. Ltd. (????) (Japan) (DVD)
• Highlight Video (????) (Germany) (VHS)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (????) (USA) (VHS)
• Orion Home Video (????) (USA) (VHS)
• Silver Sphere Corporation

Special Effects

• Electric Eye
• K.N.B. Effects Group (special make-up)

Also Known As:

Phantasm IV
Phantasm IV: Infinity (USA) (alternative title)
Phantasm: oblIVion (USA) (video title)

MPAA:

Rated R for horror violence/gore and some strong language.

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Australia:MA | Germany:16 (cut) | Germany:18 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Lone Pine, California, USA

Trivia:

Filmed in 23 days.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Michael meets Morningside, as he backs away, he backs into an old lady sitting in a chair. Morningside touches her hand, then walks behind the chair and gestures with his right hand towards Michael, yet when the camera goes back to the old lady, she's still holding his right hand.

Quotes:

Michael: I just had to be sure, before I killed my own brother.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Phantasmagoria (2005) (V)

Soundtrack:

Have You Seen It?

Second best out of four

If you remember the first movie at all, and you approach this movie with an open mind, you will find OblIVion quite satisfying. Though not as atmospheric as the first movie, there are several creepy scenes scattered throughout, including the opening scene and a dream sequence involving Reggie. In addition, there are several scenes from Phantasm (I) cleverly woven into the storyline creating continuity between the two films. Some, but not all questions are cryptically answered, which steadfastly adheres to the "nothing is as it seems",non linear flow to the movies. It definitely leaves room for one last movie. Maybe the last movie can spell it out (or at least somewhat) for "phans" needing closure.

In conclusion, if your not a fan of the Phantasm movies, or are just randomly renting movies out of boredom, I strongly suggest you don't bother and keep your cynicism to yourself. But if your willing to at least watch the first film, or if your addicted to Phantasm I, Phantasm IV will clearly keep you wanting more.