Exterminator2

The Exterminator 2 (1984)

Vietnam Vet John Eastland is back to clean up the streets of New York City again in this sequel to the exploitation “classic” The Exterminator. This time another street gang crosses paths with John as they are trying to take control of the cities (or at least part of it) drug supply. Unfortunately for them they cross paths with John and his girlfriend. Before they even realize what is going on John is coming after them in an armored Garbage Truck (nope not kidding). But it isn’t just them he goes after, but the mobsters that are doing business with them as well.

As far as sequels go this isn’t a bad one. The movie does a great job getting to the action quickly and setting up the characters. This allows for the bad things to happen to John’s friends fast so we can get right to the revenge parts. The action sequences are set up pretty well and are fun. Though at times the movie can get a bit over the to and absurd I was still entertained. There is a good bit of random violence, so fans of cheesy ‘80s action movies will have some fun with this one as well. The Exterminator 2 also boasts a very goofy street gang (the kind that can only exist in the movies) lead by X, who is played by Mario Van Peebles. Like much of the action Van Peebles is playing X way over the top and is chewing up the scenery. Though for this sort of movie he plays the villain perfectly. Actor Robert Ginty is back as John Eastland, and does a good job playing the character again.

Now there are a few things that I didn’t like so much about The Exterminator 2. Since this is a sequel and I’m a big fan of the first movie I was a bit disappointed. This is very much a movie that reflects the year it was made, that being 1984. We still get to see some cool bits and pieces of New York City, but much of the sleaze from the 1st installment is gone. It is replaced by a lot of dancing, which works for the story, but is a bummer. This results in John killing off refuges from the Warriors instead of the sleaze bags. Call me old fashioned, but I kind of liked the scum of the Earth, or at least NYC, getting what was coming to them. The first installment also had a more serious tone. I swear to God that as the montage was playing showing the Garbage Truck being turned into an armored vehicle of death I could almost hear the A-Team song playing in my head.

So I guess the question is whether I would recommend The Exterminator 2. While I didn’t enjoy it as much as the 1st movie, I still had some fun with this one. This one is far less exploitation and far more ‘80s action flick. If you dig that sort of movie then yeah I’d say check it out.

2 ½ out of 4

reviewed by John Shatzer