Return of the Killer Tomatoes!

Dir: John De Bello

1988

*****

Return of the Killer Tomatoes! is a masterpiece that has never received the full appreciation that it truly deserves. This time round John De Bello concentrates more so on spoofing the horror sci-fi b-movies of the 1950s (something audiences expected more of from the original) but also of film making and the film industry itself. It is also an attack on sensationalism in many respects, as well as propaganda, as seen in the first film. Many of the 50's monster/sci-fi/horrors were a reaction to society’s fear of the atomic bomb and the threat of Communism. Killer Tomatoes goes some way in showing up that way of thinking for being the ridiculous propaganda that it was, the Killer Tomatoes aren't a bomb or a political movement, they're a government lying to its own people for control. Of course it is also a silly comedy, and sadly most only see it as being the latter. In this episode of the Killer Tomato series we learn that not all tomatoes are bad, most are under the control of great power and manipulation, scapegoats of a higher danger. It's about as political as a film could be but it is also a good excuse to send up other idealistic and stereotypical Hollywood films. One of the tomatoes is a pretty women and our heroes love interest (although she is really the films hero), another is a furry 'good' tomato who squeaks and end up being sold as a toy at the films hilarious conclusion. The viewer is constantly reminded that this is a film, something that doesn't always work in comedies that try but I believe it's never worked as well as it has here. There is a scene whereby the director instructs the whole cast to stop filming as the budget has suddenly run out. Lead actor Anthony Starke confronts De Bello quite seriously, telling him he passed up a really good pilot to shoot the film. At this point, George Clooney, in what was arguably his first biggest role in a feature film, casually turns to both director and viewer and reminds them that this is the 1980's, product placement is key in modern cinema. This cuts to the next scene whereby Clooney advertises multiple products while talking to a customer in his restaurant. This scene was shockingly plagiarized in 1992's Wayne's World where not only do the characters repeatedly break the forth wall but they also advertise many well-known products in what is now a highly regarded comedy sketch. Once again, John De Bello's creative vision was picked dry by comedy films that came after, without any of them once giving credit where it was due. A huge influence and a better film, Return of the Killer Tomatoes! was ahead of its time and still to this day is overlooked and ignored for being something that it isn't. A 80s classic that only really failed due to misconception and poor circulation. It's a masterpiece and the rule book on how to make a spoof film that is both intelligent and funny. It also stars the great John Astin as a mad scientist as a bonus.