The Exterminator (1980) - Not much to see here

I don't know why, but watching 'The Exterminator' made me think that someone in the production team must have watched one or two of the seventies' 'Death Wish' films and tried their best to copy that.  It has the same gritty seventies vibe (despite being made in 1980), but just doesn't really seem to go anywhere.

It's about an American ex army veteran whose best friend is murdered by a street gang once they have returned to civilian life now back in New York.  And he goes out for revenge.  Nothing particularly new in terms of plot, but there have been plenty of 'revenge' films which have worked, despite a lack of originality.  There's a cop who suspects who's the killer and is on his trail, plus the Government are sniffing around, but neither plot element really adds that much to the proceeding.

There are no major actors involved here, the script is just so-so and there's no real 'action' besides the odd killing here and there.  If you're looking for any 'interesting' kills or gore - again, none here.  Everything's as vanilla as it comes.  As I say, there are plenty of 'revenge' films - made around the time like 'Death Wish' and right up until today - which are better than this.  It's not terrible, but there's just nothing here that's original enough to make it stand out.

4/10