Attack of the Killer Tomatoes

 



Director - John De Bello (Return of the Killer Tomatoes!, Killer Tomatoes Strike Back!)
Starring - David Miller (Speak of the Devil, Ghost Riders), George Wilson (Gas, Love Brewed in an African Pot), and Sharon Taylor
Release Date - 1978
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Tagline - "You've never seen a film like it"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Most of my friends and acquaintances in the horror community know that I have different tastes than most when it comes to the genre.  Most want the sleaziest and goriest horror films they can find.  Personally, I want something fun.  I love horror and all the sub-genres but the horror comedies are what I truly adore. Attack of the Killer Tomatoes was a huge part of my childhood and I'm sure it shaped my love of the genre.  I was a huge fan of the animated series, the video game, and absolutely adored the movie.  Recently MVD released the film on blu as part of their MVD Rewind Collection.  I was lucky enough to get a review copy.  Thanks MVD.

     The film follows the U.S. as it is in a state of panic when your average everyday tomatoes become sentient and start attacking people all across the country.  The president puts together a team of experts to fight the menace while the press secretary tries to convince the public that there is nothing to worry about.  They try to stop the tomato menace before they claim more lives but a conspiracy around them threatens to stop them.

     Movies are meant to entertain.  Some horror fans want their horror movies to be vile and disgusting but lack story.  I have never fully understood the reasoning behind that but to each their own.  What I like about Attack of the Killer Tomatoes is that is parodies horror films of the time while keeping it light hearted and humor rich.  It holds your attention very well.  The acting in this one is very high-brow and high energy.  The characters are very well written and stand out very well making the humor stand out even more so.  The story for this one is intended for those with a sense of humor and a love of cinema.  You have to appreciate movies to really get all the jokes found within this aside from the obvious puns.  The story moves as a steady pace and the laughs build the way they should.  I love the writing of this film and wish more horror comedies would take their timing from this.  Finally, this isn't a blood and gore flick.  Instead, we get giant paper mache tomatoes and cheesy gags.  Nothing visually stunning.  Overall, Attack of the Killer Tomatoes is still one of my favorite films to this day.  I love that it plays out as if Leslie Neilson himself had written a black comedy.  I can not recommend this one enough and the blu release from MVD is spectacular.  Check it out.