Warriors of the Year 2072 (1984)

Such a frustrating disappointment

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Directed by Lucio Fulci, it's all about a future world where criminals battle one another on motorcycles for TV ratings. But really, it's an excuse for Italian film fans to get another chapter of Mad Max and Escape from New York. From 1990: The Bronx Warriors to The New Barbarians, Exterminators of the Year 3000 and so many more, post-apocalyptic films replaced westerns, slashers and sword and sorcery films, so of course, Fulci would make one.This one's written by Dardano Sacchetti and Elisa Briganti, who also worked on all of Fulci's classic films like House by the Cemetery, The Beyond and City of the Living Dead. It was originally part of a two picture deal, followed by Blastfighter (Lamberto Bava ended up taking over), but Fulci had issues with the producers and had to go to court. In fact, Fulci had issues with the producers from the start, as he envisioned a futuristic Rome covered by domes instead of the skyscrapers that ended up in the finished film. Really, this is a film beset by issues — it's the last time Sacchetti would work with Fulci.Read more at bandsaboutmovies.com/2017/08/03/warriors-of-the-year-2072-1984

Out of all of Fulci's films, this and CONQUEST get derided most frequently. It's a rather unfair reputation, considering the joys to be had from both movies if one is willing to suspend their more critical faculties. THE NEW GLADIATORS operates as a mashing of BLADE RUNNER and ROLLERBALL, with a neon skyline rising out of Rome's antiquities (there's even a giant flashing ad a la BLADE RUNNER) and a populace addicted to and placated by a non-stop stream of reality TV, with prime time fodder like Killbike! mopping up the competition. The personal dramas and motivations of the characters are uninteresting and sometimes unfathomable, though the actors are fun to watch, Fred Williamson in particular. The dialog is often laughable - "He's no murderer, he doesn't have it in him!" said of the main character, who is in fact champion of Killbike! and spends his first few minutes on screen murdering his competitors. The real interest is in the constant dropping of futuristic pop-culture and the filmmakers' invective towards the media. Fulci's cynicism and idiosyncrasies shine through, making THE NEW GLADIATORS a thoroughly watchable B-movie.

A very entertaining science fiction flick with motorcycles, Fred Williamson and theological discussion about the source of evil... who can ask for more? the film even portrays Nietzsche's saying that god is dead, in a very entertaining way. Who can ask for more? Maybe you! Fulcci displays did some very interesting work on some of the scenes. Interesting shooting, wonderful sets (reminded me of blade runner) and great eighties music which reminds one of Dario Argento film. this film is a precursor for running man and like Lloyd Kaufmann says on the DVD edition I watched - it is certainly much much better than Ridley Scott's Gladiator...For anyone who considers himself a Fulcci fan, this film is a must.

Entertainingly goofy science-fiction from Lucio Fulci. The story takes forever to get started, and the part of the film that may attract most viewers - the recreation of the gladiatorial battles of the ancient Rome - is too short. But, the effects are amusing, the sets almost psychedelic, and the decapitations plentiful! This is a picture that I wouldn't care to see twice, but certainly one viewing is recommended. (**)