I'm a big fan of films that fall into the so bad it's good category, bad films can provide so much joy. Unfortunately, The Executioner II is not one of these films. Actually, it falls into the so bad it's bad category. It's not hard to screw up an exploitation formula based on commercially successful films; this film screws it up royally. It takes itself way too seriously and that's its main downfall. It seems as if they actually felt they were making a quality film, that's pathetic

Following some poorly executed scenes supposedly taking place during Vietnam (it looks more like a watering hole you would have vacationed with your family at) we are introduced to the Executioner. He's a masked man who fights crime, ALA every super hero in the book. I think the story is supposed to take place in NY City, but I'm not sure. Insert any major metropolis here. Anyway, there's a crime lord, Cassals (what is he in charge of actually?) who spends the entire running time wondering where his money is (what money?) and why his driver hasn't gotten him any new young girls recently ("sorry boss"). Dialogue is full of people called sarge and commissioner (do people actually say these things?) and it looks like the cast is made up of friends and family of the filmmakers (I shudder using the word "filmmakers"). Night scenes are so dark, you can barely make anything out of it, but I'm getting off track. Basically, The Executioner goes around killing muggers, rapists, and anyone else doing bad things. Local girls are strung out on drugs of some sort, and some resort to prostitution to get their fix. Throw in every cliché in the book and you've got The Execcutioner II. I'm especially fond of the gang members wearing white T's and bandanas, it looks like a Michael Jackson video.

Despite the fact that this may sound like the makings of a nice slice of exploitation believe me when I say it's not. The complete absence of violence (barely any blood and the fight sequences are pitiful) and nudity (except for a brief glimpse of a woman's bare chest, must have been an accident) we are given next to nothing to enjoy (except for shoddy sets, bad acting, and sad editing). We get periodic Vietnam flashbacks and the same stock footage explosions throughout the film (at least 6 or 7 times).

The Executioner II (there is no part 1, surprise, surprise) plays off like a Troma film, but without the fun that a Troma film would bring. They really had a chance to make another Toxic Avenger, Dolemite, or SnakeEater, but they blew it big time. Just another case of cool cover art, and lots of empty promises. It's not the first time I've been burnt and I'm sure it won't be the last.