Digi-Schlock: EXTERMINATORS OF THE YEAR 3000 (Scream Factory Blu-Ray)

A while back, Code Red released a DVD of a little Italian post-apocalyptic action flick called Exterminators Of The Year 3000. It boasted some nice new special features but the only available source materials for the transfer were full-frame. Thus, it was a nice surprise when Scream Factory picked up this title for release: it contains the extras from the earlier Code Red disc and also boasts an A/V upgrade.The disc's new transfer is a big improvement in a lot of ways: the 1.78:1 image comes from nice-looking source materials, resulting in a clean and colorful image. There has been discussion in some reviews of there being DNR done to the transfer but if that's the case, it's not a crippling problem and the results are light years beyond the old DVD. The DTS mono track does well by the film's quickie dubbing job, with the blend of effects, dialogue and music coming through nice and clear.There are also a few extras, most of them revolving around the film's leading man, Robert Iannucci. They begin with a commentary track that pairs Iannucci with Code Red honcho Bill Olsen. It's relaxed but pretty informative as Iannucci has fond, often funny memories of the shoot, particularly when he gets to talking about his castmates. Olsen has an unfortunate tendency to rag on the film's shortcomings but Iannucci thankfully takes it in stride, showing a likeable sense of self-deprecation. The actor's stories about the shoot make it worth a listen for Italian genre film fans.There is also a video interview with Iannucci that acts a nice complement to the commentary track. He talks about how his career as a model led to his role in this film, the challenges of dealing with poor approximations of English dialogue in the film's script and getting stung by some financial double-dealing on the part of the producers. He also gets into his subsequent career after this flirtation with stardom, including a successful career as a fashion designer.A few trailers round the package out. A nearly four-minute theatrical spot feels more like a highlights reel of the film than a true trailer while a pair of t.v. spots give the film a more conventional trailer-style sell.All in all, Scream Factory has done nice work with a obscure film that few would have expected to see on blu-ray. If you're into Italian genre fare from this era, it's well worth snapping up.