Warriors of the Year 2072

Lucio Fulci never fails to intrigue me with his incredibly ambitious projects and dedication to the craft. Not one to let a budget stand in his way, Fulci takes on large effects heavy films and delivers regardless of the visual appeal. Sometimes the effects in his movies are just downright ugly. But he makes it look so good. Warriors of the Year 2072 is no exception. It’s beautiful. Vibrant and crisp. A stark contrast to what I would think the future would have looked like.

Written and Directed by Lucio Fulci and featuring a cadre of screenwriters including Dardano Sacchetti (The Beyond, City of the Living Dead, and Amityville II), Elisa Briganti (Zombie, A Blade in the Dark, and 1990: Bronx Warriors), and Cesare Frugoni (Island of the Fishmen). We are treated to an early Running Man type story of vengeance, complete with gladiatorial fights and motorcycle chariots. Fulci's mastery of practical effects is on full display, with impressive miniature work reminiscent of Ishiro Honda's iconic creations. The art direction is superb, and the use of wax work, particularly in the melting faces and walls, adds a grotesque yet mesmerizing touch. His willingness to experiment with various practical effects techniques is evident throughout the film. There is even a bit of animation and rotoscoping.

“Okay Raven, now I want you to zap me with your magic stick!”

American actor Jared Martin plays our lead. He grew to fame on the TV show, Dallas in 1978. He's actually really great in this and I would have loved to have seen him in some other Italian features. He plays Drake, the biggest TV star in the world, who was recently framed for taking the law into his own hands and murdering his wife's assailants. He's given a chance to clear his name if he competes in a new gladiator-esq TV show for a struggling network, the WBS Gladiator Contest. And once the movie starts heating up, Martin holds his own. It was easy to get on his side as he’s pretty likable. And his attempts t...