Return of the Killer Tomatoes, 1988.
Directed by John De Bello.
Starring Anthony Starke, George Clooney, Karen Mistal, John Astin, Steve Lundquist, Michael Villani, Rick Rockwell, J. Stephen Peace and Charlie Jones.
SYNOPSIS:
Mad scientist Professor Gangreen is at it again as he prepares a new tomato army disguised as humans to take over the world. No, really…
It’s always fun to take a peek back at the early career of a current A-lister and the pre-superstar works of George Clooney are some of the most enjoyable to visit, especially as the man himself doesn’t appear to be ashamed of what he had to appear in to get noticed, unlike some (asking Renée Zellweger to sign a copy of Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation just to see the reaction ranks very high on the bucket list). Whether it’s the funny-for-all-the-wrong-reasons turd that is Combat Academy or the forgettable slasher Return to Horror High, Clooney was always better than the material he was working with but until E.R. made him a household name and From Dusk Till Dawn sent his movie career into orbit it was probably this belated sequel to 1978’s Attack of the Killer Tomatoes that was destined to be Gorgeous George’s calling card.
And why not, because despite the ludicrous title and dumb story Return of the Killer Tomatoes is a whole lot of fun, and not just because of George Clooney (although he is probably the best thing about it). The key to enjoying Return of the Killer Tomatoes is to accept that everybody involved knows exactly what film they’re making and is not taking it seriously one little bit; we even get a behind-the-scenes look as the film halts about halfway through for director John De Bello to announce there’s no more money and filming must stop, prompting George Clooney to suggest product placement to raise funds and giving way to a hilarious pre-Wayne’s World Pepsi plug and leading co-star Anthony Starke (Licence to Kill) to ask “Do we have enough money to finish this turkey yet?” in a gag that runs throughout the rest of the film.
But just because the actors are in on the joke and get their jibes in before the viewing audience can, that doesn’t necessarily mean the film is worth watching. Luckily, behind all of the self-depreciating comments and raised eyebrows lurks a pretty funny comedy. Although it is George Clooney as Matt and Anthony Starke as his buddy Chad who get most of the good lines, John Astin (The Addams Family) provides a huge dose of amusing mischief as Professor Gangreen, a mad scientist who has developed a method to turn tomatoes into anything he likes using music, so naturally he creates Rambo-like soldiers to help him and his imprisoned ally Jim Richardson (Rick Rockwell) take over the country. Yes, a mad professor can turn tomatoes into anything he wants to and must be stopped by two idiots who work in a pizza shop that sells pizzas without tomatoes on because tomatoes have been banned by the government – it’s as simple and stupid as that.
Return of the Killer Tomatoes is a film you’re either going to love or you’re going to loathe, depending on your tolerance for goofy late ‘80s comedies, but there’s no denying that a lot of care and attention actually went into making 88 minutes of silliness not quite as dumb as it makes out to be and if you’re on board with it then it is just as entertaining as any other food-based B-movie you care to mention (and there are plenty if you look). But just in case you need convincing Arrow Video have provided some extra material that includes a new audio commentary by writer/director John De Bello and a brand new interview with actor Anthony Starke, who has nothing but good things to say about making the film (and going to nightclubs with George Clooney), and along with a nicely cleaned-up picture this cult oddity has never looked or been presented any better. It may work better watching it with a crowd rather than sitting down on your own to enjoy it but nevertheless, it is very enjoyable and not the total turkey you would expect it to be, and it is certainly not the worst thing George Clooney has put his name to. On the contrary, he should be very proud.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★
Chris Ward
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https://youtu.be/b7Ozs5mj5ao?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng
Originally published June 27, 2016. Updated April 15, 2018.
