Official Synopsis:
“In a post-apocalyptic future where the earth is a desert and water is the most precious substance of all, a band of survivors must turn to a mysterious stranger to battle a ruthless gang of motorcycle psychos for control of the wasteland and the water. A glorious crash of guns, nuclear fallout, and synthesizers make this a must-see for anyone who’s been longing for the day in which they can finally get beyond Thunderdome.”
In the Year 3000, things are mostly the same, except there is no water and people have names like Alien, Trash, and Tommy.
Clearly capitalizing on the success of Mad Max, Exterminators of the Year 3000 takes the same concept and dumb it down to make an incoherent, but fun as hell film that despite all logic I couldn’t help but love.
We first meet Alien (Robert Iannucci), as he runs down some cops with his car in the desert. The beginning doesn’t really make a lot of sense, but that is calling the kettle black in this film. Let’s just say that this gives you a taste of what you’re in store for during the rest of the film. Car chases and loud electronic synthesizers. Alien loses control and flips his car, pinning him inside until someone comes along to save him.
Meanwhile, across the Wasteland, a band of survivors are trying to stay alive and find a way to sustain their own source of water. Here we meet Tommy (Luca Venantini), a boy with a robotic arm who enjoys playing harmonica to his pet hamster. Tommy learns that his father has not returned from a trip to bring a tanker full of water back to save the community. Fearing the worst, Tommy hides in the second caravan charged with bringing back water that is desperately needed.
The caravan is ambushed by a gang of thugs lead by Crazy Bull (Fernando Bilbao) who, for some reason, constantly refers to his comrades as ‘Mother Grabbers’. The caravan is destroyed and Tommy escapes, entrusted with the map to the location of the water and left to wander the desert. He comes across Alien and saves him.
These two unlikely companions, a boy with a robotic arm, and a scum of the wasteland with an odd name that is never explained, embark on a trek to get the water, each with their own motive.
If Exterminators of the Year 3000 seems like it should have the honor of being torn apart by the minds at MST3K, you’re right. I’ve never seen a film more worthy of it. You’ll have to get a group of friends and do it yourselves, however, as the film is rife with laugh out loud moments that will convince you that: “Yes, anyone can make a movie”.
The small inconsistencies of the film really don’t even matter. Is this the year 3000? They insert things to try to make the story more futuristic, such as robotic arms, sonic keys, and futuristic guns that sound as though they belong in a Sergio Leone picture. There are plenty of electronic beeps, just in case you forgot this was supposed to be set in the future. There comes a point where you just have to throw up your hands and accept that what you’re watching doesn’t make sense and is never going to. The story just kind of ends abruptly like they ran out of money, which is clearly spent on a million explosions in the last scene.
Video
The video is presented in 1.85:1 1080p. The picture is rather soft, resulting in a lack of sharpness throughout the film, making it blurry at times. However, many of the scenes look surprisingly good, and the vast desert landscape comes through nicely.
Audio
The audio for Exterminators is presented in DTS Master Audio Mono. The score is what makes this film, it is reminiscent of many films of the early 80’s such as The Omega Man or The Running Man, an intense electronic mix that overwhelms the film most of the time. Being an Italian film, many of the actors have to be dubbed, making it impossible to sync dialogue to the acting, even to the English speaking actors.
Special Features
It’s very interesting to hear Robert Iannucci share stories about the making of this film. The interview is rather strange, as it does not look professionally done, more like a ransom video as he sits deadly still in a small room. Regardless, it’s an interesting listen and well worth it.
Audio Commentary With Actor Robert Iannucci
Interview with Actor Robert Iannucci
Theatrical Trailer
TV Spots
Exterminators of the Year 3000 transcends bad. There is something about it that sparks enjoyment. Get your friends, get the beer, give this movie a shot and get ready for a weird but unforgettable ride.