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'The Exterminator' must be one of the most controversial American revenge movies of the 1980s but I truly wonder why it has gained such a reputation. Those who want to see a rough, violent action movie shouldn't bother to check out this one. Yes, many critics said it was violent and disgusting but if they deem this film violent, they obviously haven't seen many films.
'The Exterminator' starts during the Vietnam war. John Eastland (Robert Ginty) is nearly killed by evil Viet Cong warriors but his life is saved by his army buddy Michael Jefferson (Steve James). This pre-title sequence also includes a graphic (though fake looking) decapitation and is the best and most effective part of the film. Putting the scenes with the best impact first is never a good idea, though, and the rest of the film can't live up to this opening.
Anyway, the films picks up again some years later in New York. Michael gets beaten up and ends up paralyzed after he gets into trouble with some low-life punks. John swear revenge over his best friend and conducts a terrible revenge. He doesn't stop there, though; he also goes after mobsters, pimps, a gay phedofile etc.
His ways of murder are often brutal. They consist of (Oops! BEWARE OF SPOILERS!) flame thrower, letting punks get eaten by rats and most notoriously: a meat grinder. But those who hope for gore galore will be thoroughly disappointed as this films is not nearly as blood soaked as it is reputed to be. The killings are often just suggestive; we usually just see the wall while the victim screams in pain. So with most of the killings occurring off screen, this movie has little to recommend it by. It's just an average exploitation film, with the exception that it's not really very exploitative.
Relatively good cast, though. Robert Ginty gives an intense and believable performance and so does Christopher George as the cop on his trail. Steve James' part as the Nam buddy who dies is all too brief but good. At last there's Samantha Eggar as Christopher George's doctor-girlfriend. Eggar also gives a strong performance but her character serves no purpose in the plot what so ever. She is completely wasted and seem to be in the film only to fill up the time.
I guess, 'The Exterminator' is OK but it remains a big disappointment none the less. 4 1/2 out of 10.
score 4/10
johanim 13 May 2001
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0175469/ |
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23-2-2021 18:07:18