The flamethrower-wielding vigilante John Eastland returns to rid New York City of a drug lord and his gang.
Cast:
- Robert Ginty as John Eastland
- Mario Van Peebles as “X”, Gang Leader
- Deborah Geffner as Caroline
- Frankie Faison as “Be Gee”
- Scott Randolf as “Eyes”
- Reggie Rock Bythewood as “Spider”
- Bruce Smolanoff as “Red Hat”
- David Buntzman as Head Mafioso
1984 memories
This never hit my theater in 1984. If it did play in my town it would have been at the Drive-In theater, most likely the third movie of the night.
I first watched this as a video rental. As a kid I enjoyed the car crashes, explosions and all the action.
I don’t know how it holds up, but I’m guessing it won’t be good.
40th Anniversary Re-watch
Well, this one isn’t great. Yet I fully enjoyed watching it again! If you saw the original, The Exterminator, you’ll wonder why they made a sequel. You can’t underestimate the power of Cannon Films in the 80s. They could and would make any movie, good or bad.
Our man John Eastland is back and forced into the life of a vigilante again. Or maybe he never stopped. The Exterminator’s weapon of choice is a flamethrower. He uses it to great effect.
Eastland meets his old friend(?), Be Gee from Vietnam and they drive around in a garbage truck together. It’s unclear if Be Gee is an old Army buddy or if they just recognize each other.
Anyhow, they drive around and then head to bar to see Caroline, a girl Eastland is stalking? Maybe not, he is interested in her and Be Gee let’s them take the garbage truck back to her apartment. If a girl let’s you take her home in a garbage truck on the first date, it must be love…
A few days later Eastland and Caroline are having a picnic in the park when they are attacked by a gang of thugs. Caroline is brutally beaten, ends up in the hospital and can’t walk. As a dancer she thinks her life is ruined and can’t cope with the new reality.
At this point Eastland goes into full Exterminator mode and sets out to kill the gang and it’s leader. Quick note the gang leader, X, is played by Mario van Peebles. It’s Peebles first starring role and he does a great job as the psychotic gang leader.
Eastland recruits his friend Be Gee to help him, which doesn’t turn out well and Be Gee is killed. And then the gang kills Caroline! Eastland is distraught and even more determined to kill the gang.
Eastland fully armors the garbage truck and sets out to rid New York of their gang problem. The final battle scene is decent. Lots of firepower and explosions.
Exterminator 2 is a dark movie. The gang kidnaps a girl and tests their heroine on her in an under hideout. They crucify a man on the subway tracks. The attack on Caroline is brutal. The gang beats and murders people and The Exterminator chars the gang members to a crisp. The stuntmen must have had fun running around on fire during the movie. Good resume builder.
Favorite Line:
I am the streets!
The list of delete scenes is extensive and brutal. I’d bet Exterminator 2 would be rated ‘X’ if they kept all the scenes in the movie.
I don’t know if it’s a direct reflection of New York in the 70s and 80s but it seems close. All the movies of the era depict New York as a cesspool of crime and filth.
Ultimately, Exterminator 2 is kind of a mess. There’s no real plot, it’s more of an idea. The filming is a bit disjointed and jumps from scene to scene that don’t seem to connect. There were budget issues and extensive re-shoots which probably led to the problems.
Exterminator 2 released on 14 Sep 1984. It’s original budget was $1.5 million, but went over with all the re-shoots, coming in at $3 million. It made $3.7 million at the box office.
It’s a Cannon Film and gets a +1 bonus to the rating…
Did you watch Exterminator 2? If so let me know your thoughts in the comments below or on X(Twitter). The main Geekster channel is @GeeksterMedia and I’m @MileHighSamurai You can also find me on Bluesky @MileHighSamurai
6/10 stars
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