The Killer Tomato movies

[chainsaw midget]

Since there's a new one, I thought I'd go back and take a look at all the other previous Killer Tomato movies. 

So I did. 

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes is an absolute must watch for bad movie fans.  I've heard mixed stories about how serious this was supposed to be  or how much of a parody or satire it was supposed to be, but regardless of whatever they intended ... I think they failed.  HOWEVER, they seemed to fail in a way that still comes off as creative and out there enough to justify watching.  It's not a good movie, but it's an entertaining one. 

Return of the Killer Tomatoes however IS a good movie.  It's a hilarious one that openly mocks the idea of bad movies.  You can't tell me you don't love the product placement jokes.  I won't believe you. Even the jokes and clips from the previous movie they reused come across as better and funnier (likely due to some editing and narration.)  John Astin is hilarious as always and this is the movie that also introduces George Clooney.  Also there's a fight between cowboys and ninjas that has nothing to do with anything going on. This is also the movie that gave us Big Breasted Girls go to the Beach and take their tops off.  Another MUST see.  Have you seen it yet?  Then I DEMAND you go do that now. 

Return of the Killer Toamtoes then inspired an animated series that was pretty fun.  THAT, I haven't watched in a while, but it did greatly influence the next two movies. 

Killer Tomatoes Strike back comes across as perhaps too silly, and not in a good way.  At time it feels like two movies stitched together.  The parts with Igor and Professor Gangreen are great and hilarious, but the cop and the tomato-ologist feel like they're too silly and trying too hard to be funny. 

Killer Tomatoes Eat France is better than Strike back, but there's not a lot else going for it.  They've been heavily inspired by the toons at the point and have given various tomatoes faces, voices, and personalities.  There is one scene with a giant killer tomato that eats people and breathes fire that comes across as sort of creepy, but there's not a lot else it's got.  At least it's not as insultingly silly as the last one. 

I might have to go track down the old cartoons now.

[M.10rda]

Well, uh... never saw the original (and should). As a kid I rented A sequel from the nearest supermarket - it was the only one they had. I presume it wasn't RETURN, but... 

Back in those days I would sit through the entirety of anything, no matter how bad or boring it was. This was called "an attention span" and many kids had those in the 1980s, before social media. I still had mine until about 15 years ago. (I don't dig on social media - I just finally realized that I was wasting my precious life watching worthless crap all the time.)

But even back in the mid-to-late 80s, I couldn't make it more than 10 minutes into this sequel. I realized something about this movie was different from the "Groovy" bad movies presented by my friend Commander USA. These filmmakers weren't even trying.

Back to the supermarket it went, only 10 minutes in. I probably didn't even rewind. 

[Rev. Powell]

I remember the first one as a mildly amusing spoof in the vein of a less-funny AIRPLANE. Never saw any of the sequels.

[bob]

I own the first one

it's okish, seems like it would be more fun to watch with the right crowd

I never saw any of the sequels

I do remember seeing the Killer Tomatoes cartoon as a youngster

[Dr. Whom]

The first one is wonderfully inept, but it is carried along by its unflinching commitment to silliness.

I did see the second one, but I only have vague memories of it. They did smooth over some of the rough edges of the first, but that lost the charm of the original. It did have Karen Mistal in it, who then went on to do Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death.

[HappyGilmore]

I love all of them.
They aren't great, by any means. Enjoyable though.

[olivianaylor]

[spam]

[M.10rda]

.......I hear spam goes great w/ killer tomatoes! 

[WingedSerpent]

You know, I've never seen any of the actual movies.  I did watch the cartoon series of it though.

[chainsaw midget]

I'm surprised by the number of people here on a BAD MOVIE forum that haven't seen the Killer Tomatoes movies. 

What's next?  Are you people all going to tell me you haven't seen Plan 9?  Highlander 2? 

[claws]

🍅 Killer Tomatoes Ranked & Reviewed

1. Return of the Killer Tomatoes! (1988) — 2.0/5 (Fair)

A rare case where a sequel actually improves upon the original, though given the franchise standard, that isn't saying much. This entry embraces self-aware meta-humor, featuring shameless product placement gags and an early, hilarious performance by a young George Clooney. It's lighthearted, absurd, and easily the most entertaining and competent film of the bunch.

2. Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! (1978) — 1.5/5 (Barely Sufficient)

The low-budget cult classic that started it all relies heavily on goofy slapstick, giant rolling foam tomatoes, and an iconic parody song ("Puberty Love"). While its zero-budget charm and pop-culture legacy make it historically notable, the comedic pacing drags significantly between set pieces.

3. Killer Tomatoes Eat France! (1992) — 1.0/5 (Poor)

Moving the madness overseas does little to revive the joke, resulting in a tedious spoof that relies on tired French stereotypes and recycled sight gags. John Astin tries his best to camp it up as Professor Gangreen, but the forced absurdity quickly wears out its welcome.

4. Killer Tomatoes Strike Back! (1991) — 0.5/5 (Very Poor)

Scavenging for laughs in an exhausted franchise, this third installment is a sluggish chore to sit through. Despite a brief appearance by John Astin, the film suffers from terrible production values, uninspired comedic timing, and bottom-of-the-barrel tomato antics.

Revised Summary Note

Return of the Killer Tomatoes! stands as a rare case where the first sequel is actually better than the original. That isn't saying much, considering every entry in the franchise ranges from bad to terrible! Still, if you haven't seen any of them, the original 1978 film is worth a look purely for its legendary cult status.