Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

A long time ago back when I first got on the Internet I found that it was a great tool to find rare cult films much like this one, The Phantom Empire.

Back in the day (pre-Blockbuster) people were able to find small little video chain outlets that carried fun, low-budget films on VHS. Once Blockbuster cornered the market, unfortunately it was no more. Blockbuster makes and breaks films in the video rental market, not the customer.

With no outlet to find my favorite low budget gems I have turned to the Internet time and again. Mostly I am stuck purchasing films I have never seen, but have an interest in (be it the actor, or director, etc.). Now, in this day and age of broadband (cable, or xDSL modems for example) connections low budget film fans have a new alternative.

There are many new sites opening up on the Internet that showcase public domain films, and even have a few good low budget films. I happened upon a site called http://www.sightsound.com and man, did I rejoice! It doesn't have too many films in it's catalogue yet, but what they do carry already makes me a very happy person. Tons of Troma, Fred Olen Ray, and other 'cultish' type films. I love them already.

The Phantom Empire is a film directed by low budget filmmaker Fred Olen Ray who is best known for T & A campy fun sci-fi horrorish films. I have tried to find this film for quite some time now. Back when I first got on the Internet I tried ordering it from many places. Every place I tried had no copies left. Out of print and out of luck I thought, until now.

Sightsound.com is a pay-per-view site that allowed me to download the whole film and practically own it (I can burn it on CD or store it on my Hard Drive to watch over and over again...as long as I do not lose my Windows Media Player Key) for only $3.95! Who can beat that? Sure I'm stuck watching it on my computer for the time being (until I get that TV-Out adapter), but for $3.95? Yippie!

The Phantom Empire I decided after some debate would be the first film I ever watched on my computer. Starring a b-film lover's dream cast it was a pretty easy choice.

I have always been a huge fan of Michelle Bauer's. She's constantly in Olen Ray's films and usually those are his best. Re-Animator's Jeffrey Combs has a major role in this film too. I couldn't believe my luck! I love Mr. Combs' work as well. Yes, a big selling point for the movie also was the presence of Ms. Sybil Danning. She's here, although not as much of a major player as Olen Ray's marketing people would have us believe.

When a hideous cannibalistic monster attacks a couple outside of a cave, entrepreneur Denae Chambers (Susan Stokey) sees an opportunity to get rich quick. After the monster attacked the couple, it was killed. Around it's neck was a necklace with precious stones worth millions.

Ms. Chambers hires private investigator Cort Eastman (Ross Hagen). They assemble a team to go into the cave that the cannibal monster came out of. Hopefully they can find the source of the jewels. Together the team ventures forth into the deep cave. Andrew Paris (Combs) is apparently the hunk of the film (a first that I've seen for Mr. Combs). The ladies of the group flirt and tease each other over him. As the group ventures deeper into the cave, they follow tunnels that seem to go on to the center of the Earth itself.

The crew meet up with a very upset cave bunny (the credited term for a cave woman). Michelle Bauer is officially in the film now and she's doing her best Rae Dawn Chong in Quest For Fire impersonation. Instantly the cave bunny is attracted to Mr. Paris. After a little while the group find out just why their little cave bunny is so frantic. A whole mass of cannibalistic monsters attack!

So sets the stage for one of the coolest b-movie casts I've seen in a while. Combs and Bauer in the same film? What could get better? How about a space vehicle carrying none other than Ms. Sybil Danning herself! She (an alien who crash landed on Earth) arrives on the scene to capture and enslave the men. This is especially (or not) troubling for Mr. Paris as he's caught her eye as well (this guy gets all the babes)!

I don't think Jeffrey Combs can be in a film unless it references H. P. Lovecraft. There are some as Mr. Paris is from 'Miskatonic University' and the center of the Earth is 'R'lyeh', clever.

The Phantom Empire contains neat Fred Olen Ray budgeted special effects in the film like dinosaurs killing each other, Robbie the Robot shooting lasers, and cool space vehicles.

A pretty great little film. I'm surprised I haven't heard much about it compared to other Olen Ray films. Fans of films like Slave Girls From Beyond Infinity should eat this up deliciously. I did.

The quality of the picture I would say is a low grade VHS recording taped on EP. Of course I am watching it on my computer monitor and not a television and that should degrade the picture quality substantially as well.

I am really happy I found Sightsound.com. The picture quality may be a little sub par compared to what we DVD junkies are used to, but it's a great place to check out some cool cult films. No longer do I have to fork over 20-30 bucks to buy a film I'm hoping will be good. Be prepared for a long download though. It took over two hours of downloading even with my xDSL modem! Unfortunately, I'd have to recommend non-broadband users to steer clear away from this medium. It would take forever to get these films.

Now that I know The Phantom Empire is so good, if only it would come out on DVD..., Fred, you listening?

Websites Of Interest

http://www.aipfilm.com
-Fred Olen Ray's American Independent Films

http://www.sightsound.com
-The movie site I've been writing about.


Recommended: Yes

Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age