User reviews

1978's Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes was an unexpected cult gem that despite looking ridiculous actually managed to entertain with it's Naked Gun (1988) style humour.

With the sequel set a decade later and following on from the events of the first I expected more of the same so was disheartened to see they had gone in a different direction.

The style of humour is the same though not as quickfire, but the content simply isn't Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes! Instead of rampaging killer vegetables we instead have a sinister plot that involves Tomatoes in human form.

Starring the original Gomez Adams John Astin and a young George Clooney this silly but still likable comedy doesn't provide the laughs alike the original but still has enough about it to be entertaining.

You may have to wade through some unfunny stuff to get to them but the jokes are there and most are delivered by Clooney who demonstrates once again that he has a natural affinity for comedy.

It's hard to believe this franchise was born at all let alone that it spawned 4 movies across 3 decades and even a television show!

The Good:

George Clooney is hilarious

The Bad:

Doesn't have the novelty value or charm as the original

Things I Learnt From This Movie:

Big Breasted Girls Go To The Beach should have been a real film

Anchovies go great on pizza with gummy bears

Rasberry Jam Calzone should be a thing

A teddy bear yelling rape is one of the most traumatising sounds imaginable

I want a FT doll

If the movie was remade the confederate flag would probably not be on the good guys uniform

Big Breasted Tomatoes go to the beach and take their tops off should also have been a real film

This sequel to "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" has actually very little to do with it. It's also a much better film. It does get a bit too juvenile for its own good toward the end, but it's entertaining (at times), with bits of surreal humor, jabs at moviemaking itself and decent acting. Half the time you'll be laughing, the other half you'll be looking at your watch. (**)

Picking up a couple of years after the original, tomatoes are now banned - which has ruined the pizza industry - and the unseen mad scientist who chalked up those giant killer tomatoes in the first film, Dr. Gangreen (John Astin) is up to his old tricks again, only this time he's using music to make tomatoes into people, and depending on the type of music being played, that determines who/what the tomato becomes. Playing sexy jazz music produces sexy blond tomato women, playing Salsa music produces Carmen Miranda, playing Church music produces the Pope, playing pop produces either a pre-white Michael Jackson look-a-like or a Don Johnson look-a-like, or if you play rock music, you get big, burly military tomato men.

As Charlton Heston's character from "Soylent Green" would say: "The killer tomatoes are PEOPLE!"

Our hero, Chad Finletter(Anthony B. Starke) falls for the attractive one time tomato Tara (Karen Mistal). Unfortunately, Tara can be changed back into a tomato whenever she hears a certain musical chord.

Full of gags (like the aforementioned multiple musical interpretations of a tomato) that include a prison dividing its cells between "Really bad guys" and "former political aids", the mime stalking Chad & Tara during their musical montage dating sequence, pot shots at how films have to feature tons of marketing in order to have a budget to get made, pot shots at bad movie marathon hosts and game shows, and let's not forget MY personal favorite, the talking teddy bear that calls out for help when Rock Peace tries to smother it. Film also features a more coherent "plot" (as it were) and served as the blue print for the animated series that later aired on Fox Kids.

Keep an eye out for it. George Clooney makes his film debut as Chad's friend and pizza co-worker Matt.

This movie is trying so hard to be silly it isn't fun any more. And I love silly movies (Toxic Avenger for example), but this one was a major disappointment.

Story involves mad scientist who re-introduces killer tomatoes (from the first movie, which I haven't seen yet), in the form of humans like 'Tara', who main character Chad falls in love with.

Whole movie consists of silly jokes, which more often don't than do work, with the whole 'we need money to make a movie so let's use product placement' thing as a huge downer. Maybe the joke is fun for like a minute or so but to use it throughout the second half of the movie... it was wearing really thin.

The makers of this movie tried to get away with the 'we're spoofing and hailing bad movies so we're making one as well' attitude, but there are tons of 'better bad movies' you can see. Not even (very!) young George Clooney can save it, so skip this one...

3/10.

i found this sequel to Attack of the Killer Tomatoes to be a slightly better movie.for one thing,it's high energy and not boring.plus,the music in this one is actually not annoying.however,i still didn't think it was funny at all.some of the gags are just too stupid too be funny.but that's just my opinion.again,i wouldn't watch it again in a long time.it wasted just over an hour and a half when i had nothing else to do.again,it's all about the novelty factor with this one.there's a third one entitled Killer Tomatoes Eat France,which is likely more of the same,so i'll be skipping that one.for me,Return of the Killer Tomatoes!is a 5/10

This film ranks up there with the best of the spoof movies, such as Naked Gun, Airplane!, and Top Secret! I rented it as part of a bad horror movie marathon, along with Leprechaun in Space. It has some of the funniest moments I've ever seen in any movie. The running joke about the film's low budget was one. Also, the fight in the bar made me laugh hysterically. Why did the fight occur? I have no idea! Keep in mind that I don't enjoy this movie on a campy, b-movies-are-cool level. I regard this movie on a One of the Funniest Movies Ever Made level. George Clooney has large hair and does a pretty good job. Also, look out for Rick Rockwell, TV's Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire? millionaire in one of his rare movie appearances! He plays a shady villain.

I found it's take a while for anything to really happen, I was not laughing at this movie as much as I though I would.

This did have a bigger budget and the acting is better in this.

The down side to this was there was no tomatoes,that actually killed people.

Was that why the first was so much more fun? , I didn't mind the plot, tomatoes turning into people sounded OK.

The other thing that really annoyed me was that, when the same person keeps falling down, it's funny the first few times it happens, But every times the person on screen, it just milked it dry.

4 out of 10 for this movie, first was fun, this one I found some- what boring, as there was not much tomatoes action.

Years after the original batch of evil tomatoes was destroyed by the song "Puberty Love", a new batch has been created -- a batch that can be transformed into a humanoid appearance, to blend in with the human population. Wilbur Finletter, the original hero, returns as his nephew unknowingly falls in love with Tara, a tomato and the girlfriend of the evil Dr. Gangreen.

While there's something to be said about sequels not being able to surpass the originals, I find this to be an exception. The humor is campier, and the jokes are lamer. But for some reason, I really appreciate it. The visual gags are stepped up to the level of "Airplane!" or some Mel Brooks movie and I do not think this one should be neglected. Even in the beginning when clips are shown from the first movie, the clips are well chosen to really bring out the funniest and most important parts, adding something to the new saga.

The original film was actually a student film at UC-Davis, and was redone in 1977 as what we know today. That could have been the end of the series, but by early 1980s home video came around and gave the original a new lease on life and a sequel was inevitable... this time even produced by New World (who had no input). The bar was set higher (or lower) and they succeeded.

George Clooney appears. Actually, he more than appears -- he is on screen more than just about anyone. This is before he was big, and he has a long-haired look as though he was auditioning for the part of Jesse on "Full House" (but I guess he lost to John Stamos). Clooney is very lovable in this film, pulling a Charlie Sheen act of women-chasing that suits him well. There is something funny in retrospect about him running a "Meet Rob Lowe" contest to meet women, when now (2016) the women would much rather meet Clooney than Rob Lowe (though Lowe has come back in the last few years).

Some of the jokes are more subtle, at least as subtle as a film like "Killer Tomatoes" can be. Take, for example, the Oliver North Federal Prison. At the time, this was probably pretty funny. Today, the audience who "gets it" will be much smaller (they'll say "Isn't he a commentator for Fox News?"). And there are plenty of sex jokes, but despite their prominence I never felt the film crossed into the childish realm of "gross-out" humor. Even the nudity was more or less tastefully done (I expected much more).

For me, the scene (or scenes) with the product placement running joke are among the funniest. We get the characters to break the fourth wall, we get some slight jabs at low budget film and consumerism... and just in general the whole concept is funny. Some have pointed out that the gag was stolen by "Wayne's World"... how much this film (or "Wayne's World") were actually paid by the companies they use in the joke remains unclear.

If you liked the first film, I cannot see why you would not love this. And if you grew up with the cartoon, you will want to see this film since this is the one the series was based off of. I have yet to see "Killer Tomatoes Eat France", but I think it is safe to say that "Return" is the high point in the movie series.

As always, the best way to see this film is on the blu-ray released from Arrow Video. Besides the priceless audio commentary with creator-writer-director John DeBello, there are also TV spots and other promotional items. Anthony Starke provides a nice interview concerning how he got involved and the use of product placement. Clooney, unfortunately, is not interviewed, but that is not really a surprise. Stephen Peace, a series regular, is also not interviewed, most likely because he went on to be a notable California politician of all things.

If you expect a serious movie you'll be massively disappointed. If, however you're expecting a comedic spoof that doesn't take itself (or it's prequel) seriously then you're in for a wild ride. It's almost worth watching just so you can admire George Clooney's 80's mullet. There's little plot, but instead there is a series of imaginative scenes which can really make you laugh (so long as you don't try and take the movie seriously). Heartily recommended.

Being a huge b-movie fan, I had to see this movie. It is VERY funny and entertaining and still a b-movie even with a larger budget, but the only footage of tomatoes moving and attacking people (the best part of the original) is taken from the original "attack" film. Here instead we got tomatoes that look exactly like people. But when you buy an "attack of the killer tomatoes" movie that shows a giant killer tomato attacking on the cover, you expect to see a giant killer tomato attacking in the movie! John Astin as Gangreen was funny, but I like the original movie's reason for tomato attacks. In the original, man altered tomatoes to make them better but accidently gave them the ability to grow and attack people.

In this movie that is all ignored and now the killer tomatoes were made by a evil professor in his basement.

I think the original plot AND movie are much better, but this films is still very funny in it's own way. And I am surprised it got away with many of the raunchy jokes while staying PG.

Recommended if you want to laugh.

This movie is probably the best thing George Clooney ever put his name on. Actually, it's the only one of his movies I've ever bothered to watch and, seeing as all his other stuff looks even more lame than this piece of trash, can only assume it's the best thing he ever did. So what's wrong with movie? Pretty much everything. It's one of those movies that is knowingly low budget and stupid and somehow that is supposed to be funny, but it isn't. Or maybe they knew the thing wasn't funny and that, in and of itself, was supposed to be funny? Well, that might almost be funny but this movie still sucks. It's pretty much one boring, lame gag after another, not so bad it's good, but just bad and feels like it drags on forever. I pretty much felt the same way about the previous film and I might be able to state that part two succeeds in being even more boring and corny than part one, as if that is any sort of accomplishment. Like I said, this is the best thing George Clooney ever put his name on.

The girl who played "Tara" was cute, though. She's a nice-looking 80's babe and the only thing worth looking at in this boring piece of junk.

The last scene of "Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes!" showed killer carrots about to come up and attack. Here, they are nowhere to be seen. Why not? It's not like this was intended to be a film series that lacked continuity. We see the same footage from the original film so it's obviously a direct sequel. Another annoying thing is that we get another poster that depicts the tomatoes as having faces when we get none of that in the actual film again! There's a scene where Professor Gangrene is putting a face on something, but it's a Mr. Potato Head toy. Was that supposed to be a joke about the poster?

This is believe it or not, George Clooney's film debut. I love how the one question on this very website is asking if Clooney also apologized for this film. "Batman & Robin" at least had a high budget and some semblance of a plot. The best part here is probably how they set it up in the beginning. The fourth wall jokes actually get pretty annoying. In one scene, the Professor says that this is real life, despite the fact that everyone is referencing how this is a movie! I was expecting at least more tomatoes to appear. If sequels don't escalate, they should at least stay as big as they were before. The original film at least has its originality. Was this the time spoof movies started sucking? At least we later got "Naked Gun!". *1/2

As we watch the overture we are treated with a glimpse of "Big-Breasted Girls Go to the Beach and Take Their Tops Off" and forget why we bought this film.

Long after the Tomato Wars, a new generation has become blasé. But little do they know that the mad scientist Prof. Gangreen (John Astin, with his signature grin) is planning a comeback. Only this time he is disguising the tomatoes as tomato people.

Local pizza entrepreneur Matt Stevens (George Clooney, in his best role) is enamored of Prof. Gangreen's prize possession Tara (Karen Mistal). Tara has a little secret and likes sex and toast.

Mat and his co-worker/roommate Chad (Anthony Starke) are tomato bigots; after their entire uncle lived through the tomato wars. So, they are adopted by the runaway Tara and her little secret and a furry friend named FT. Prof. Gangreen sends his trusted limelight seeking servant Igor (Steve Lundquist) to retrieve Tara.

Looks like the tomato is out of the bag and Matt will have to learn to tolerate tomatoes or lose Tara forever. FT, faced with adversity, must make the final sacrifice proving that all tomatoes are not rotten.

We are promised that if this film mates its worth, we will get to see.

"Big-Breasted Tomatoes Go to the Beach and Take Their Tops Off"

This film essentially begins with the actual creator of the killer tomatoes (from the last movie) named "Professor Gangreen" (John Astin) determined to continue his attempt at nothing less than world domination. But this time he has improved upon his research and now has a technique which can turn ordinary tomatoes into humanoid warriors. In addition to these tomato men warriors he has also created a beautiful assistant named "Tara Boumdeay" (Karen Mistal) who obeys his every command. But that changes one day when she discovers Professor Gangreen attempting to destroy one of his tomato projects. Because of this she runs away to be with a young man by the name of "Chad Finletter" (Anthony Starke) who works in a pizzeria for his uncle "Wilbur Finletter" (J. Stephen Peace) who happens to be the hero of the previous "Tomato Wars". And then the action really begins. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this film was much better than its predecessor due in large part to the improved humor and somewhat imaginative plot. Likewise, having an attractive actress like Karen Mistal certainly didn't hurt either. Unfortunately, the low-production values inhibited this film to a certain degree and because of that I have rated it accordingly. Slightly below average.

I have actually watched this 1988 horror comedy "Return of the Killer Tomatoes!" once before, but must admit that I remember it only by its title and the fact that it had George Clooney on the cast list. And thus I opted to sit down and watch the movie again here in 2024, as I had the opportunity to do so.

Writers Stephen Andrich, John De Bello, Costa Dillon and J. Stephen Peace put together something that truly was unique and one of its kind. While I have indeed also watched the 1978 movie "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!", I have to say that I can't recall that movie. So how much of a direct continuation "Return of the Killer Tomatoes!" is to the first movie, I have no idea.

And like all movies should actually have, there are ninjas in "Return of the Killer Tomatoes!". Ninjas just make everything all the more enjoyable.

Not only is George Clooney on the cast list, but "Return of the Killer Tomatoes!" also has the likes of Anthony Starke and John Astin on the cast list. The acting performances in this parody is actually fair.

Sure, "Return of the Killer Tomatoes!" is a movie of somewhat acquired taste, but it definitely is worth checking out.

The product placement parody in the movie was hilarious.

This is a low budget movie, no doubt about it. But that doesn't really matter, because there is just something fundamentally enjoyable about how campy, cheesy and ridiculous the movie is that makes it work.

My rating of director John De Bello's 1988 movie "Return of the Killer Tomatoes!" lands on a five out of ten stars.

...excuse the excessive alliteration. A sequel (of sorts, though they change the entire plot) to the original "Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes," this film absolutely screams "80's"...the music especially. That said, sure, it's silly, it's plot-deficient, it's over-acted...but it's SUPPOSED to be! The movie constantly makes fun of itself as it runs. ("Hey, has there been a chase scene in this movie yet?")

A young, big-haired George Clooney delivers dozens of one-liners perfectly [this is not a big surprise, actually], the visual jokes are a riot (the overdone "product placement" is brilliant, especially considering its juxtaposition with the completely silly "fight scene" featuring cowboys, ninjas, bikers, and a really bad impersonation of Muamar Ghadafi), John Astin's totally-over-the-top "evil doctor" character is so deliberately bad it's good, the little sideline parodies are excellent (Oliver North Federal Prison? Full Contact America's Cup Yachting?)...good stuff all around.

Oh yes, and it's also one of the very few films to feature the gorgeous Karen Mistal. (I've spent some time trying to figure out what she supposedly did with a lawnchair, six milk bottles, and a tuning fork...)

It also features a quick cameo by lingerie-clad Teri Weigel, who went on to star in quite a few other movies...though most of them aren't exactly rated "PG," if you catch my drift.

Part Two of the infamous comedy horror series is the best one insofar as it's the least bad. It was made in 1988, ten years after the ultra-low budget original.

Anthony Starke is very game in the role of Chad Finletter, nephew of Wilbur (Steve Peace), hero of the Great Tomato War of '78. Chad works in his uncle's pizzeria – where tomato coverings are now outlawed because they're evil – along with his buddy Matt (a magnificently mulleted George Clooney).

Meanwhile, gene-splicing Professor Gangreen (John Astin) is creating an army of tomato people, hoping to conquer the world. One day one of his creations, Tara (Karen Mistal), escapes and seeks sanctuary in the arms of Chad. Gangreen sends his henchman Igor (Steve Lundquist) to retrieve her. Chad and Tara fall hopelessly in love, but Gangreen will stop at nothing to retrieve his test tube babe. Chad, Tara, and Matt must band together, along with Chad's uncle and his troop of weirdos, to defeat Gangreen and save the world from the "red menace".

You might as well skip the dreadful first movie because we get a full recap here. Return is far more watchable thanks to a vaguely coherent script and less of a chaotic sketch show structure. Most of the best stuff happens early on, where there's a ton of fun in Tara's fish-out-of-water flailing bumping up against Chad's bumbling charm. And there's great bro-chemistry between Starke and Clooney.

The film is pure spoof, falling somewhere between the Mel Brooks and Zucker brothers camps: the fourth wall-breaking elements of the former and the cringeworthy puns of the latter. (At one point a character opens a China closet… and finds the Great Wall of China inside.) It's not upper Zucker by any means, but somewhere around the Top Secret range in terms of gag hit rate.

There are also countless references to horror film contemporaries. We get a bit of Weird Science; the mad lab of Reanimator; the gene-mashing horror of The Fly; and the dead-eyed hottie-on-the-loose of Frankenhooker. It's all powered by some fantastic synth-rock music which doubles down on the echo-snare. Plus a Bacharach-styled ballad as the lovers prance on the beach whilst being bothered by a creepy mime.

Eminently good natured and low on gore, Return emphasises the comedy over the horror, making it more accessible than its title suggests. There really isn't much killing at all. The problem is that, beyond the first act, it's not consistently funny either, so as far as cultdom goes it is niche. Set expectations to moderate though and it's a fun, screwy ride.

I had fond memories of the cartoon, but realised that I'd never actually seen the movie.

This is a perfecly silly, intentionally cheesy, 80's classic. The premis is so silly and everyone involved (especially Clooney) is so obviously just having FUN making it that the humour is just utterly infections.

The knowing looks at the camera. The exaggerated dramatics. The tomoato transformation effects. FT!!!!

I LOVE this movie and heartily recommend it as a classic "B" movie.

You cannot beat this film for a silly giggle. All those po faced people who claim its not amusing need a humour transplant.

all together now.. (sings) "When Big breastd giiiiiiirllllllllS, go down to tthe beach....!"