Legacy of a Legend (14m 14s, SD, 1.33:1)
Crash and Burn (3m 39s, SD, 1.33:1)
Super Duper 8 Prequels
-Attack of the Killer Tomatoes (17m 36s, SD, 1.33:1)
-Gone With the Babusuland (32m 29s, SD, 1.33:1)
Famous Foul (2m 21s, SD, 1.33:1)
Deleted Scene (6m 4s, SD, 1.33:1)
Killer Tomatomania (4m 33s, SD, 1.33:1)
Where Are They Now? (2m 51s, SD, 1.33:1)
Sing-A-Longs
-Main Theme (1m 49s, SD, 1.33:1)
-The Mindmaker (2m 4s, SD, 1.33:1)
-Tomato Stomp (1m 46s, SD, 1.33:1)
-Puberty Love (40s, SD, 1.33:1)
-Love Theme (1m, SD, 1.33:1)
Slated for Success (1m 56s, SD, 1.33:1)
Trailers (Under its own tab on the main menu)
-Attack of the Killer Tomatoes Trailer (2m 11s, SD, 1.33:1)
-Attack of the Killer Tomatoes Radio Spots (2m 2s, SD, 1.33:1)
-D.O.A.- A Rite of Passage Trailer (3m 48s, SD, 1.33:1)
Audio Commentary (Found when press play feature)
All of these special features are from the 2003 Rhino 25th Anniversary DVD set. They are ok with the making of being the standout. The short films are interesting, but Gone with the Babusuland is only viewable with a commentary track, which is a bit disappointing. This was something that happened during the DVD boom of the late 90s and early 2000s. The filmmakers or DVD producers would think that the audience didn’t REALLY want to see these deleted scenes or short film so they would make the audio commentary for them turned on and there was no way to turn it off. The Sylvester Stallone film Driven did this as well with their deleted scenes. The deleted scenes here too have only a commentary track. The rest of the features are passable in that you might watch them once, but never again. I do wish that there were a few new features, though. It would have been nice to hear what some of the filmmakers have to say now, but it would have probably been the same thing as the features here have, so it was probably for the best that there is nothing new here.
This is a two-disc set with a blu-ray and a dvd. The set also comes with a fold-out poster featuring the blu-ray cover. It is not reversible as that is what the film's theatrical poster looks like. This release also comes with a slipcover that replicates a video store rental box, but the one that I bought did not.
Both discs are REGION FREE
This 1080p presentation keeps the film’s original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and, for the most part, looks pretty good. Detail is good, but not great and clarity can be a problem at times. There is some grain, but it is not all that noticeable except for the stop-motion sequences in the film. Colors look good though and blacks can be fairly deep. This is the best the film has ever looked.
The provided LPCM 2.0 mono track handles everything very nicely. There are a few musical numbers in the film and they come through loud and clear. There are a few times where dialogue is muffled or hard to hear, but I think that is part of the film itself and not the track.
After a wave of reports of mysterious attacks involving people and pets being eaten by the traditionally docile fruit, a special government task force is set up to investigate the violent veggies and put a stop to their murderous spree. Included in this crack team are a lieutenant who never goes anywhere without his parachute, an underwater expert who's never out of his scuba gear, and a master of disguise who conceals his appearance by dressing as a black Adolf Hitler
Everything that you need to know about Attack of the Killer Tomatoes is right in the title. There is an attack of tomatoes that want to kill us. The fact that is it a comedy shouldn’t come to the surprise of anyone. The fact that it is a spoof might, though.
What exactly is the film spoofing? According to the commentary track and interviews found on the disc, the filmmakers were spoofing Japanese giant monster films from the 50’s. They also mention that America had never seen these films before so the audience wouldn’t even know what was being spoofed. The problem with this statement lies in the fact that Godzilla was very big in the U.S. (not as big as in Japan, but I digress). Most of the Godzilla films that had been released up to the point of Attack of the Killer Tomatoes’ release in 1978, had seen release here in the States as well. Seems kind of like they are trying to toot their own horn without finding out what they are tooting about.
So, with the film being a spoof of Japanese giant monster films, does the film succeed in being a spoof? Not really. Sure, it does feel like a monster film, but it doesn’t really have anything to do with Japanese giant monster films. There are a few big tomatoes, but nothing bigger than a person. There is also a Japanese scientist who is very obviously dubbed, but that is really where the joke ends. I think it would have been great if, at the end of the film, the dubbing just stops and it turns out that he has outstanding English skills.
So while this is a spoof of monster films, it is NOT a spoof of Japanese giant monster films. I would say that the film is more in line with monster films that came out in the 60’s, not the 50’s. In the 60’s, monster films took on another look and feel. They were more non-linear and floaty with their plot. The same goes here. There is a plot, but it is just an excuse to hang many jokes and “bits”. There are some good bits though. One involves one of the army guys being the “disguise guy”. He is told to go and infiltrate the tomatoes and learn to be like them. Later in the film, the guy is shown, dressed up in a tomato suit, talking to the tomatoes. This is actually a very funny series of bits that has a very funny payoff.
Other jokes don’t fly that high. One of the other army guys carries around a parachute at all times. There is no problem with this, but it is a used parachute that is never put back into its holder. The man even chases after some bad guys, yes, there are bad guys, and the parachute just keeps slowing the guy down. This was kind of funny at first, but it grew old fast.
The film has a good nature too it and it doesn’t try to offend anyone, which is something that doesn’t really happen anymore. Comedy has become very cynical lately and it was nice to see something that just tried to make you laugh. It doesn’t really succeed, but you can’t say that the film doesn’t try.
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes is harmless fun that anyone can watch. I think that younger kids will find the film interesting while adults will find it silly. They may even find some of the jokes funny. I did, for a bit. The film would probably play better as a short that is paired with another film that is just as goofy.
The blu-ray, from MVD Visual, is pretty good. The film looks and sounds great. The special features are a little underwhelming, but there are some good ones here and there. If you like goofy films, then this will be right up your alley. Also, if you are a fan of the film, then this is a must buy.
CHECK OUT PAGE TWO FOR MORE SCREENSHOTS!! REMEMBER THAT SCREENSHOTS MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!!
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