Blu-ray Review – Attack of the Killer Tomatoes – MVD Rewind

Posted on by skizzfan42@gmail.com

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes

Director: John De Bello 

Screenplay: John De Bello, Costa Dillon, Stephen Peace

Minutes: 87

Year: 1978

Score: 5.87

Release: MVD Rewind Collection

I used to love this cartoon that was on Fox Kids. Then I forgot about entirely. The MVD Rewind released this Blu-ray. I cannot get the damned theme song out of my head again.

From MVD:

UFOs! Bigfoot! Communists! The government has swiftly dealt with many a crisis… But can it survive the diabolical ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES? Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the supermarket, you’re face to face with terror so bold, so frightening it has never been seen on-screen before or since (not until the sequel, anyway). After a series of bizarre and increasingly horrific attacks from pulpy, red, seeded fruit, Mason Dixon (David Miller) finds himself leading a “crack” team of specialists to save the planet. But will they be quick enough to save everyone? To save you? You can’t run! You can’t swim! There’s nowhere to hide! THE KILLER TOMATOES ARE EVERYWHERE!

The 1970s brought us many parody films, some have legs, and others have tomatoes. There is room enough for both. The film opens with a statement about how people laughed at Hitchcock’s The Birds when it first came out, until a town was attacked by birds. It goes on to say, that this is no laughing matter. But it is. I laughed quite a lot, in fact. It is corny, goofy, and an excellent example of the genre.

What is incredibly unique about this release is the Criterion level of special features MVD has pack on this disc. None of it is new, but gathering it all together here with, frankly, beautiful transfer. If you have a chance, and can stomach 70s parody nonsense then you should definitely grab one of these while they are available.

Special Features

  • Newly remastered 4K digital transfer of the film
  • High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation of film (1.85:1)
  • Original 2.0 Mono Audio (Uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)
  • Audio commentary from writer/director John DeBello, writer/co-star Steve Peace, and ‘creator’ Costa Dillon
  • 3 Deleted Scenes
  • ‘Legacy of a Legend’ (SD,14:13) is a collection of interviews, featuring John DeBello, Costa Dillon, film critic Kevin Thomas, John Astin, Steve Peace, Jack Riley, and D.J. Sullivan and more!
  • ‘Crash and Burn’ (3:40, SD) is a discussion about the famous helicopter crash that could have killed everyone because the pilot was late on his cue
  • ‘Famous Foul’ (2:21, SD) is about the San Diego Chicken and his role in the climatic tomato stomping ending
  • “Killer Tomatomania’ (4:33, SD) is a smattering of interviews with random people on the streets of Hollywood about the movie
  • ‘Where Are They Now?’ (2:51, SD) fills viewers in on what the cast and crew have been up to over the past couple of decades,
  • ‘We Told You So!’ (3:07, SD) takes a hard-hitting look at the conspiracy of silence surrounding the real-life horror of killer tomatoes
  • “Slated for Success” (1:57, SD) featuring Killer Tomato Slate Girl
  • “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes” (the original 8mm short film) (with optional audio commentary) (17:35, SD)
  • ‘Gone with the Babusuland’ (the original 8mm short that inspired Attack of the Killer Tomatoes) (with optional audio commentary) (32:28, SD)
  • Original theatrical trailer (SD)
  • Production design photo gallery
  • Radio spots
  • Easter Eggs
  • Collectible Poster
  • Limited Edition Retro ‘Video Store Style’ Slipcover / O-Card (First Pressing Only)

 

 

Director: 6 – Cinematography: 5 – Edit: 7 – Parity: 2 – Main performance: 5 – Else performance: 2 – Score: 4 – Sound: 7 – Story: 7 – Script: 9 – Effects: 7 – Design: 7 – Costumes: 5 – Keeps interest: 10 – Lasting: 5