If it was popular in America, you can bet your life that there'll be at least one cheap Italian equivalent; and 2019: After the Fall of New York is, of course, the Spaghetti answer to John Carpenter's Sci-Fi action hit, Escape From New York. Like many Italian rip-offs, this one does it unashamedly; and just about every major plot point from Carpenter's film has managed to find its way into this one. We've got a mission into a New York that has fallen into the hands of the 'lower classes', a Kurt Russell look-alike, a climatic car chase and more; but it's all in good fun. It's actually a bit of surprise (and my main reason for watching) that this film was directed by the same man responsible for a number of Italy's best films; the great Sergio Martino, but I guess he was well paid by the end. As mentioned, the plot is almost identical to Escape From New York; only this time, the ultimate prize is the last fertile woman on Earth, which the 'New Confederacy' intends to regenerate the human race with. A noble cause, I'm sure you'll agree...
This film features the first performance from Michael Sopkiw. His career was unfortunately very short, but given what I've seen here and in Massacre in Dinosaur Valley; he may well be on course for the title of Italy's most ridiculous actor. That being said, his looks and style suit this film very well, and it's actually a very good performance considering the type of movie. Sopkiw is joined by an array of unknown Italian actors, and a George Eastman; who makes a memorable special guest appearance as 'Big Ape'. 2019 has room for a number of over the top characters, and these provide the film with most of its plaudits. Aside from the obvious loss in quality between this and his more credible films, this also isn't the best directorial performance from Sergio Martino; as despite creating a bleak impression of the future, many of the action sequences are lethargic and the film plods along rather than moving swiftly. The final car chase is well ripped off, however. Overall, this film isn't brilliant and won't be turning up on any lists of great Italian films; but it's a decent Sci-Fi romp, and fans of cheap trash cinema will no doubt appreciate it.
This film features the first performance from Michael Sopkiw. His career was unfortunately very short, but given what I've seen here and in Massacre in Dinosaur Valley; he may well be on course for the title of Italy's most ridiculous actor. That being said, his looks and style suit this film very well, and it's actually a very good performance considering the type of movie. Sopkiw is joined by an array of unknown Italian actors, and a George Eastman; who makes a memorable special guest appearance as 'Big Ape'. 2019 has room for a number of over the top characters, and these provide the film with most of its plaudits. Aside from the obvious loss in quality between this and his more credible films, this also isn't the best directorial performance from Sergio Martino; as despite creating a bleak impression of the future, many of the action sequences are lethargic and the film plods along rather than moving swiftly. The final car chase is well ripped off, however. Overall, this film isn't brilliant and won't be turning up on any lists of great Italian films; but it's a decent Sci-Fi romp, and fans of cheap trash cinema will no doubt appreciate it.