Return of the Killer Tomatoes (1988)
Company: Arrow Video
American Distributor: MVD Entertainment Group
Starring: Michael Villani, John Astin, Karen Mistal, Anthony
Starke, George Clooney
My Review and Thoughts:
First off if you know me, then you know that I am passionate
about B-movies and over the top Cheesy styles of cinema. I grew up with the all
night Drive-In’s and Ghoul Hosted late night Television. I always have one
answer when someone asks me what is your favorite B-movie, or guilty pleasure,
and it’s easy for me, it’s Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. There is nothing
close to this crazy film, but that is the beauty of it.
Now this Blu-ray I am reviewing is for the sequel of the
Killer Tomatoes, better yet the Return of the Killer Tomatoes. As of this
writing sadly no one has brought the first one out on Blu-ray and that’s a
total shame. But I will settle with this brilliant Blu-ray being brought out by
one of the greatest companies to exist in the DVD, Blu-ray world. Arrow Video
is a one of a kind company that supplies brilliance to fans of Cult cinema, Low
budget cinema, Drive-In late night fodder for the masses of those who love this
style of entertainment.
Return of the Killer Tomatoes is in my B-movie loving
reality, a true Ace of guilty pleasure perfection. Arrow Video has brought out
a stunning Blu-ray for this ultimate cheese fest of a film. IT has never looked
any better. Vibrant and crisp in imagery. Sound is perfect.
There is nothing better than a simple, silly, comedy and
Return of the Killer Tomatoes is one of those ultimate experiences of late
night fodder.
The plot is set 10 years after the horrible rampage of
Tomatoes in Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. Now the government has outlawed
tomatoes, but there are those few who smuggle tomatoes. Your main characters
Wilber Finletter, Chad Finletter, Matt Stevens. The Finletters run a Pizza
place that makes pizzas without tomatoes. Add in the villain, the mad Professor
Mortimer Ganggreen along with his assistant Igor, who plan to unleash another
terror of killer tomatoes. Not just any tomatoes, but the professor can change
tomatoes into human looking. His plan is to take over the United States of
America with his diabolical plan.
This is a perfect comedy horror that is totally ludicrous
and that’s the beating heart of it. Directed by b-movie guru of cheesy cinema
John De Bello. Bello has done all the Tomato movies, the B-movie masterpiece
Attack of the killer Tomatoes. Plus, the one I am reviewing right now Return of
the Killer Tomatoes. Also 1991’s Killer Tomatoes Strike Back, and 1992’s Killer
Tomatoes Eat France. De Bello is a true B-movie god of silly over the top perfection.
He has given the world some of the weirdest and yet perfectly B-worthy cinema that
sticks with you. I am a huge fan of the whole series including the Killer Tomatoes
Animated series that De Bello produced. Keep an eye out, because like Alfred
Hitchcock, De Bello makes cameos in all of his Tomato movies. De Bello did it
all, wrote it, had a part in it, directed it, produced it, he truly is a Killer
Tomato.
Arrow Video like always has done a lovely job in
transferring this to 1080p Blu-ray. A fantastic new outlet to experience this
wild film. I hope Arrow Video or some other company releases the others on top
quality Blu-rays. Arrow Video shinned yet again in picking a truly
unforgettable guilty pleasure film.
Audio/Video:
This has never looked any better. An amazing quality. The
1080p presentation stands out above and beyond any other transfer of this film.
Arrow Video did a fantastic job in giving a new outlet to this priceless Cult
Favorite.
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
Original Stereo audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Extras:
Brand new audio commentary with writer-director John De
Bello
Brand new interview with star Anthony Starke
Original Theatrical Trailer
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned
artwork by Matthew Griffin
Fully-illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing
by critic James Oliver
Overall:
Arrow Video aced this Blu-ray with total perfection in
transfer, sound quality and most of all a product that is worthy to own and
experience. I highly recommend this over the top B-movie, and this fine example
of how to treat a film on a lovely high class Blu-ray by Arrow Video.
INFO: