Review of Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! (1978) by Cole C — 20 Apr 2010
Although ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES is a complete artistic failure in the traditional sense, it doesn't many of the hangups that plague truly bad movies. Once taken for the farce film it is, one begins to find, believe it or not, cleverness in the film. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
First of all-- Ronny Desmond's (aka Matt Cameron, future drummer of Pearl Jam) "Puberty Love" was absolutely hilarious. The off key, almost yodeled refrain is nearly ear splitting-- and in the B movie universe, a Top 40 hit. The ending is classic.
Second: the acting is completely atrocious, 100% rotten. It's performances like Sharon Taylor as Lois Fairchild that seal the deal. Her attempts at emoting fall pitifully short, her lines are delivered with no traces of charisma; a cardboard cutout would have delivered a far more inspired performance.
Third: the budget constraints, now legendary, render any attempts at serious drama nill. For example: as a man rushes in to offer his opinion on the tomato killings, his helicopter crashes. That was not intended, but the actors ad-libbed and the filmmakers ended up forced to use the take. There was nothing more in the budget for another helicopter!
Although it would be disingenuous to suggest that the film reaches the sublime parody film heights of films like AIRPLANE!, ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES is an enjoyable flick that will likely have you laughing out loud. Leave your expectations of credibility on the bus.
PUUUBERTTYYY LOVVVEEEE...
This review of Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! (1978) was written by Cole C on 20 Apr 2010.
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! has generally received mixed reviews.
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