Exterminator 2 (1984)

Judging by all the negative reviews floating around the internet concerning this movie, it seems that it is almost universally despised by genre fans and movie fans in general. I beg to differ. While it doesn't have the same originality or edgy suspense as the first in the series, EXTERMINATOR 2 is very similar to other early '80s vigilante cinema, take DEATH WISH II for example. I would even go so far as to say that this is the better film, and at least it's not so unpleasant. EXTERMINATOR 2 is an action-fuelled follow-up to the infamous cult classic that finds our hero Robert Ginty arming himself with a welding mask and a flamethrower to continue his campaign of justice on the streets at night. Except this time he's up against one gang only (but it's a big gang), a gang who end up murdering two of the people he is closest to.Once again this is a very nihilistic film, indeed at the end, it turns out that of the entire cast (that's every character to appear in a speaking part) only Ginty is alive! The formula is very predictable, with an act of violence being carried out on one of Ginty's friends or family and Ginty following it up with an act of violence on the bad guys, and so on with things culminating into a huge (and impressively staged) battle in a warehouse where all of the bad guy gang end up getting deep fried! The acting isn't brilliant but it'll pass, with Ginty actually getting a chance to smile occasionally unlike in the original movie. Actually, Ginty makes a good focus point for the movie, a likable and charismatic hero, not to mention a believable one (at least to me). There's strong support from Frankie Faison playing a garbage collector who becomes an ally. Jennifer Brandon has a worthless role as the girlfriend who gets crippled and killed, while Mario Van Peebles certainly seems to be enjoying himself as he goes way over the top as 'X', the leader of the punk gang who delights in death, destruction, and torture.The violence is pretty strong and gritty with it, although as this film was released uncut in the UK you can tell straight away that it in no way matches the original's brutal, grisly bloodshed. Lots of people get fried in loving slow motion, while another character is killed off screen by getting run over by train! The stickiest fate is left for the end of the movie, unsurprisingly. The modified garbage truck that Ginty creates is an impressive piece of weaponry and there's a fair amount of explosions and mindless destruction to enjoy. Also, you've gotta love that BREAKDANCE-inspired interlude in the park; cool stuff! While not on par with the original, EXTERMINATOR 2 successfully carries the same kind of gritty on-the-street atmosphere and you could do a lot worse, so if you like the first then give it a go.

The man with the flamethrower, vigilante John Eastland (Robert Ginty) returns to drink a beer in a bar and to fry some more villains. Between two fries, he finds some time to make love with a very tender dancer at the bar, Caroline(Deborah Geffner). "Attractions" this time: a garbage truck that makes cleaning among villains, a coffin with drugs and others not so very well inspired. It has a lot of music in it, it is clear that the director (Mark Buntzman) or the producers liked 80s music, especially the breakdance genre. In fact, all the film can be considered a long music video with some action (fries) in between. The actors are questionable if not lamentable. Deborah Geffner is most compelling. Noted John Turturro in a minor role. Just to have a sequel, as usual, much lower than the first part.

"Exterminator 2" brings back the great Robert Ginty as flamethrower wielding vigilante John Eastland, but has nowhere near the impact as the first film. That's not to say that it's not enjoyable, but overall it's silly stuff.Directed by Mark Buntzman, who produced the first film, it sees Eastland start to date an exotic dancer named Caroline (Deborah Geffner) and make friends with an outgoing garbageman named Be Gee (the excellent veteran character actor Frankie Faison). Eastland agrees to take on a job as a garbageman (!), but finds his happiness threatened by the activities of a street gang led by the fiendish "X" (Mario Van Peebles, in a breakthrough role). Of course, Eastland has already been up to his old tricks by torching various criminal scum, but is he going to be ready for this particularly sadistic gang?The viewer can have an interesting time checking out the early appearances by actors who would go on to become busy and recognizable if not famous: Irwin Keyes, Arye Gross, Thomas Calabro, and John Turturro, who has a bit. The gang members basically come across as cartoons and there's a certain goofy quality to a lot of the dialogue, performances, and situations. (If nothing else, the audience may find "Exterminator 2" laughable enough to be entertaining.) The music is also particularly amusing, providing the perfect accompaniment for assorted violent goings on. Ginty is reasonably engaging although his character of Eastland was a more compelling individual the first time. Faison is superb and shows off a natural charisma. And Van Peebles makes the most of his demented & depraved role, making for a pretty good antagonist.Especially entertaining is seeing Ginty turn Faisons' garbage truck into an assault vehicle and watching the final cat-and-mouse chase between hero and villain. There's plenty of characters going up like Roman candles to keep the viewers interested.All in all, this is decent enough, and it might be worth watching it along with, say, "Death Wish II" and/or "Death Wish 3" for a dose of vigilante vs. gang escapism.Six out of 10.

Exterminator 2 isn't that bad, it's a great low budget vigilante flick. It's got action, violence and more of the Flamethrower, in the first movie he only used it once and that was just to scare someone while in Exterminator 2 he uses the Flamethrower to kill. The film sees John Eastland still being a vigilante known as The Exterminator but he's also now got a girlfriend who dances at a club, meanwhile a gang is trying to take over the streets and the leader's name is X, John Eastland soon meets up with another old Vietnam war buddy. Soon after killing X's brother he wants revenge and after following him they cripple his girlfriend, John and his friend then go out to get revenge for this so after capturing one of the members they plan an attack by turning the garbage truck into a fully armed battle tank. John then must take on X and his gang before they take control of the streets in New York.Exterminator 2 is a great sequel to the 1980 classic The Exterminator. Check it out. 10/10